Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 46

They were always a stubborn one. Ever since he knew them and watched them grow up with his very own eyes Ole knew that they were indeed very stubborn. They always kept pushing through no matter what, where or when. If something had caught their interest they would not let it go. And this was probably not that much different, as much as he wished that it was for once different. After all, in the state they were in there was no place to stay. They should just follow him, walk out and never return. But it was never that simple for them. That may as well be too much to ask for in the end.

"This place is lingering with these Shadows and you have no intentions of turning back?" He asked them, witnessing himself how they were just gasping and panting. It was more than obvious that this place had also started to put a strain on them.

"L... Listen... It'd be too convenient to turn a blind eye." They responded while still trying their best, that their feet may still carry them around. Yet those were visibly shaking at that point. "In fact, who knows what this place might hold. You say that it has something to do with cognition, right? Then–"

"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Ole had to interrupt very sharply. He couldn't stand that thought, that they are this insane to push through. He was already seeing some of the consequences, how they were barely holding onto their consciousness here. "Whatever shot into your mind, don't do it. You were here once, that's enough. I'll bring you back and you will forget about it."

"I... I don't think I can forget about it though." They countered. "Say, is there any way one could theoretically change some parts here? Within the cognition itself I mean."

"Change... Something?" He repeated, not really having thought about that as well. After all, he was just as green as they were in the end. In fact, he was surprised that they had brought this up fairly quickly. They were asking questions to hold onto, weren't they? "I... Am not sure nor do I know what you mean."

"That's a dead end then." They sighed, shaking their head. "A place connected to human cognition... Maybe..."

"I can't stop you, can I?" They will want to return, They will want to know more... This is going to be a long fight, isn't it? A losing battle of convincing if one will. Then again, maybe they were just curious. And he was slowly realizing that he probably shouldn't be the one talking. After all, he returned as well in the end, even though he didn't need to. Something just drew him to this place automatically. And maybe they felt the same? Perhaps it was something like that, this unexplainable gravitation within both of them.

They turned to him as a result, nodding. "Yeah. I have my thoughts and I would love to know more. Something supernatural... A way to operate in the shadows... Maybe this method can be linked here..."

"Method? Whatever it is, you shouldn't just jump the gun like that."

"R... Right, sorry. But... Are there any other people here? Or have you seen anyone else?"

"Sometimes I do. Some kids playing after school." Ole scoffed, not even needing twice to answer that one. It seemed that this was the answer which had intrigued them the most however, their eyes suddenly going wide from one moment to the next, a gasp leaving their lips.

"So we're not the only ones here!"

"I... Never claimed that—"

"We need to look for them! Maybe they have more answers! This place should not be disregarded so easily! C'mon, let's—" Yet before they could take another step he would grab them by the wrist, holding tightly onto it and making sure that they were at a stand still. They sure tried to move yet he wouldn't let them. "Oi Ole! They might escape if—"

"You're not going anywhere near that place today!" He hissed, managing to keep them in place. He could have a strong grip when he wanted to! That or this body had its uses. He never expected that out of a human one but here he was, experiencing this at that very moment. "And don't you but me either! You're exhausted!"

"I can handle a few more—"

"No! You need to rest! I may not be able to see things with those 'colors' you humans have but I can still read your body language! And you are at the brink of collapsing!"

They stopped for a second, staying silent, as if checking for the truth within that statement. He only saw them standing yet it would not be unlikely if so many things had shot through their head at that very moment. What exactly? He couldn't say. Yet he saw them eyeing themself the best they could – Perhaps they had finally noticed their wobbly legs. It only took them a few more fair warnings to notice.

So, although reluctantly, they looked up at him again, finally managing to agree. Even if they were more forced to agree in the end. "F... Fine... I'll leave it be for now and go home."

The cat nodded. "Glad that you understand."

"But expect me to return here soon."

"All defenseless again?"

"Wha– Good point actually. I should be more prepared. But how?"

"Take your time to figure it out. Just... Don't head there without me, will you? There's only so much you can handle on your own."

"Huh? Uhm... Yeah, sure. But how will you know?"

"Cats have a sixth sense for their owners. You probably won't even need to tell me." He said, though perhaps a little cocky sounding. Although... "One more thing... Tell no one about this place, alright? No matter who. This is staying between us for now."