Persona 5 - The Jester's Point Of View

Scene 184

“Swan!?”

The reaction should have not been one to surprise them. And it honestly wasn't. It was about to be expected if anything. However, it still gave them some sense of pride that they could catch Crow off guard like this. They didn't know why. Maybe it was also just a reaction to him being safe, even if that was another ‘just in time’ moment. Better late than never though, right? That's also a way to look at it!

Regardless, as much as they wanted to have that sly smirk on their face when turning around they didn't. Instead they decided to face them, those Shadows… Those dreaded Shadows… Their Shadows. The two who were a part of them. Their… Ugly side. Or sides? Didn’t matter. The only fact was that they had to face them heads on. And they were the only one who could put a stop to them, at least that’s what this looked like. 

Though it also seemed that these Shadows had not expected any type of interference to begin with. Their eyes were wide, their expressions looking as if they were about to bark like rabid dogs. Yet they remained silent, for the time being at least. Though they didn’t seem to flinch, not even when they had the pointy end of Swan’s lance pointed right at them. And they were ready to strike at any given point. “Alright, you two had enough fun.” They said, trying to keep up a facade which would scream that they meant business. They did, sure, yet it was still a little bit odd to just do it. Especially given that they were sulking and rotting away just moments ago. “Cut it out or you’ll be missing your hands next.”

This seemed to be enough of a warning to make both of them suddenly take a step backwards. Because what would be the worst fate for someone writing than losing their heads? Losing their hands, certainly. Couldn’t even pick up a pen after that nor smash onto a keyboard in more modern times. It was just the right threat to make them understand the severity of this situation. 

And they couldn’t help but internally grin at that. Huh, looks like they were doing something right here. But they couldn’t get too cocky, at least not yet. “Good. Then you know what—”

“Why?” They were cut off all of a sudden, hearing some type of whisper from both of them, at once. It made them lose the sternness in their expression for a moment. And yet they continued, holding back their growl at first. “Why are you doing this? Why!?”

“Huh? Isn’t it obvious?” They asked which only received headshaking from both of the Shadows, each of them clenching their teeth and then continued speaking.

“No! It isn’t! Not one bit!”

“I… Get that you’re Shadows but—”

“Isn't revenge what you want!?” A sudden growl, both speaking in turns now, with Anja starting as she looked at Swan in some type of pain yet also fury. And she was yelling,as if upheld by something like this. “Give everyone who did you wrong a taste of their own medicine!?”

“You’ve been yearning for this chance all this time, didn’t ya!?” Luka continued, just as loud as Anja, his voice nearly cracking and almost losing the deep tone it had, nearly an octave higher than it was supposed to sound… But just nearly. “Your ultimate revenge! Making everyone suffer and erase them!”

For a moment Swan did remain silent, almost looking to the ground. They didn’t answer right away, hating the fact that… They were right. Both of them were correct. It was exactly as both said. It was wrong to think like that, wrong to be out for the pain of others. At least in Swan’s– No, Lukanja’s own mind. This was not how things would work out and they wouldn’t be happy after this. But damn it, things were a little too tempting sometimes. Hurting those who truly went behind their back, who wronged them at every opportunity. It wasn’t easy to forgive and they didn’t forgive. Not even close. There was always an urge to harm others, one way or another. And it was scary to think like that. They hated it so much and knew that they could suppress it for only so long.

It was also why they believed for some time that it would be best if they just disappeared, before they could hurt anyone else. Always hearing that no one wanted them, all while deep down they wanted to hurt no one. Hearing it in their own voices was another slap in the face. It had always been like that. And yet… If they actually had managed to disappear, would it have done anything? After all, they could only run for so long…

It went through their head, all of it. And for one reason or another, one they couldn’t explain, they started to nearly laugh, smile a little. At first it was empty but when reminding themself why they were here, anybody who had pushed them to end up here… It was hard to believe. Just what would have happened if they had just walked away when Akechi had given them the answer they desired back then? Or had it started earlier? No, that didn’t matter. They managed to be here, one way or another, it was almost ironic. But… Maybe they were glad that they were here.

They suddenly lifted their head up, looking at the Shadows with that sudden smile. They knew how they would play it off, with the same laid back feeling they usually portrayed. Yet even then there was some truth behind their words, for once. Or at least they were aware for the first time. “Hmm… Not my proudest moment, I’ll be honest.”

Both Anja and Luka were staring at them once more. Was it really that surprising to hear for them? Had they been buried so deep into their hatred deep down that this was shocking? Well… Lukanja couldn’t believe their words either right now. So maybe it was a bit of a surprise for them. Though the Shadows continued to scream, almost sounding like stubborn kids throwing a tantrum. “But society wrongs us! Just think back! When–”

“Yeah, so?” They only shrugged.

“What?”

“It’s not going to do any good.” They responded, lowering their lance, finally. “I’ll let go of these thoughts… I have to.”

Their lookalikes went speechless at that. Now they had been completely paralyzed by these words, not even able to talk back as they had just moments ago. It was the perfect chance to turn away, their gaze wandering to the one behind them, Crow. And it was easy to see that he held himself together, even while listening. There was no plea but the pain was more than obvious.

“But first…” They announced, somewhat, taking the chance right then and there. They ran over to him, suddenly grabbing him by the arm as they passed by, turned away from the Shadows. At least for the moment. They would come face to face again, wouldn’t they? Yet for the time being only one person had their attention. “Let’s head back for now.”

To say that even he was surprised was an understatement. He only looked at them from beneath his mask, his pupils only staring at them in somewhat of a disbelief. Though his silence only lasted so long before he sighed, scoffing at the same time before finally responding. “Took you long enough.”

“Sorry. I… Had to prepare for it all.” They apologized before finally the duo took their leave. The Shadows would be furious, no doubt about it, but that was something they had to worry about for another time… When they would finally face them properly.