Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 116

Each Palace has its spots where the desire of the Palace's owner is so low that it may as well not matter. The few spots which allow the group to take some rest if they really need to do so. And well, traversing a massive casino could become exhausting. In general traversing Palaces could be a little exhausting over time so short breaks in between are needed. Crow himself was more than aware of that. This was not his first venture through a Palace. This was just his first not solo one.

Though unlike the rest of the Phantom Thieves he didn't really mingle with them unless absolutely necessary. To his surprise even Swan was thriving as well. They sure seemed more lively than they would usually be. Or at least they were more open in a group than he had ever seen them. They were actually having some resemblance of fun. Talk, joke around, even letting out a few chuckles here and there. He had known them long enough to know the difference between their meaningless smiles and the ones which had some genuinity behind them. These were the latter.

It... Didn't matter to Crow or anything like that.It was just an observation he made, the times where they would just leave him be while they were talking about who knows what with the others of the group. He was only keeping a closer eye on them as time went on. It had been one thing when they found out who he was but now he may have to watch his back even further. After all, the entity had given them some sort of power which meant that they could directly confront him at any point. He wouldn't back down on that fight, that's not the issue. But he would rather avoid an unnecessary conflict like this. That's all. There was nothing more to it. Even when a certain being tried to claim otherwise.

It had happened all of a sudden, just when he had been leaning against the wall in the small space of a room and observing Swan conversing with Panther. They were surprisingly expressive, even making some weird gestures with their hands sometimes which amused the girl, judging from the laughter one could hear. Crow was eyeing the scene, even if he didn't have to. It just so happened to be in his view, that's all. And yet that irritating voice liked to claim differently.

"Aww boy. Don't just stand there like a lovestruck idiot." This entity teased him. It was nowhere to be seen, probably keeping itself hidden for the time being, yet he could hear it in his ears. And it was only more frustrating.

"What did you call me?" Crow shot back, making sure to not say it too loud to not cause a scene. He whispered it, certain that this figure could hear him anyways. He was trying as well to not make a strained face, one which would reveal his annoyance at any point.

"Boy?"

"The other thing."

"Oh! A lovestruck idiot, yes. Maybe I should've said 'lovesick puppy' instead. Eh, whatever."

"Are you trying to get a reaction out of me?" He scoffed right back, really trying not to lose his temper here. "Because that's not gonna work."

"Moi? Oh no, no, no. I would never even think of that~" It responded, sounding so unserious about it however. "After all, it would be too early if our dear thieves over here already figure out who you really are. Where's the fun in that?"

"Then what are you up to?"

"Didn't we say that it can be bad for you to ask too many questions?"

"As if you don't have any ulterior motives either."

"Is that what you think of me? Oh please... You should think of me a little better than that. Can't I just have some fun?"

Some fun... Somehow Crow was not buying that. Was that all it wanted to do? Be here to have 'a little fun'? Somehow it didn't sound trustworthy yet none had proof for the contrary either. And, to be fair, it had not done anything which could put a stop to his plans either. It kept away pretty much... This could only mean that it was telling the truth or it was suspicious behavior of its own.