#i am normal about gentleman/phantom thieves

[walkman-cat]

Hi! Happy STS! Welcome to Feather tries to get active in the community again program!

The world got to see your story and oops video essayist discovered it. What type of essay are they making? Is it a deep dive? Is it a rant about “controversial” parts? Is it about how the story got popular? Taking apart every single sentence? What are they focusing on?

hihi! happy very late storyteller saturday (perhaps even a storyteller sunday :o)

i think with eidolon vetch theres a couple options for things to focus on:

a deep dive into the worldbuilding/history of the setting (Yes i have thought about the past of the story more than the actual story's plot. it's a problem) especially the traditions and fashion!

2. going into the trans text/subtext (because i accidentally made a character who is trans also have a very trans arc separate to his transness, which is silly.)

3. just. going through and breaking down the tropes used surrounding gentleman thieves and detectives. i'd love a multiple hour video essay comparing eidolon vetch to its influences because it is nothing without my love of gentleman thief and detective media!

[kawarikisaki]

Maybe Agasa helped Toichi and/or Jii with with designing of the Kid suit or at least a suit after the one we was wearing when he met his future wife. Since it seems like he didn’t officially choose to become a Gentleman Thief until after his adventure with her. You could argue otherwise and it was all part of an overachieving plan but eh. Though maybe it still had the ability to hide things better than a normal suit would. It would be just as useful for a magician as a phantom thief.

Oh I can absolutely always argue otherwise, but in this case, I am inclined to agree.

Don't really have much to say about it though, we just really don't have much data that I can run with on the subject because there's not much concrete in what we know about Toichi...

But I do agree that (at the very least if he was telling the truth about not intending to use the white suit for thieving at first) he would have had to make modifications for thievery at a later point in time.

[the-canary]

Save The Day - B.B (3/10)

Summary: Chasing phantom thieves, saving pretty gals from falling, getting a cool drink with his best pal – it’s just a normal day for Detective James Barnes. However, what if all that falling he seems to be doing is connected to the thief he’s chasing and the gal he’s got his eye on?

A/N: This is for @barnesrogersvstheworld ‘s 3k writing challenge. 

Feedback is always appreciated.

“What do you mean that Carter is there?” a voice, mostly likely Queen’s, exclaims through the little comm system step up in the bedroom, as a certain young woman tries to bandage the whelps that were slowly starting to make themselves shown after her night -- almost being caught in Stark Industries being a certain Agent, which had lead to her jumping out of a second-story window.

Oracle had never been as graceful as Queen, and certainly not Noir.   

“She shot in my direction,” the woman explains as she looks at the mirror to check her handy work, “Almost nicked me, plain as day. The woman is as dangerous as eva.”

“Ore,” Noir comes in this time around as the young woman puts on her sleeping gown, “Lay low for now. We’ve got some intel here. Do not do anything foolish.”

“Pot calling the kettle black,” she frowns before sitting down on her small desk. Gadgets and other mechanics laid about it. Queen laughs in the background, as Noir grumbles something in her native tongue.

“Find something else to do for now,” Noir orders, but Oracle takes it to heart, “Maybe go out for once.”

Oracle keeps frowning and shuts communication off on her side, feeling both disappointed in herself and annoyed with the rest of the world as she calls it a night.  

“Are ya sure that was them?” a certain detective can’t help but ask as he runs to where Peggy is standing straight with her gun at hand. Peggy takes a calming breath before walking forward to where she is sure the Black Widow have moved on from.

“I am completely sure, James,” she answers back before looking around to see what else she can find, before letting out with an annoyed sigh, “But, it isn’t the same person.”

James cocks an eyebrow over this, unsure of how Peggy knew this and what this all meant in the long run.

It’s a week since the last time he has seen her, between trying to catch up with the case that Peggy had handed him -- the notes and everything to look over-- and just catching up with the rest of the Howling Commandos and Steve that were in town before they headed to D.C, Bucky Barnes was a busy man. However, that quickly changed when he and Pegs caught their first sight of the Black Widow in the farther side of Manhattan lurking around the budding Stark Industries.

Peggy had almost nicked them with her gun and that would have been the end of it, but the Black Widow --thought a bit sloppier than he would have thought from his sight of vision on the roof-- has managed to dodge the bullet and run into the darker part of New York.

Peggy’s declaration had caught him off-guard, but without proper clearance from Stark himself, they couldn’t go deeper into the building. They were just waiting for him to come back from his impromptu getaway in Europe, the man always seemed to be caught up with something.

For now, they were just sitting ducks, but Peggy always found something to do -- James wasn’t exactly on the same boat.

It wasn’t that he was lazy or anything if you asked Captain Fury he would have to admit James Barnes was one of the hardest working men on the force. However, war had thought Bucky to take life one step at a time, while the rest of his friends ran and ran to take down the next “great evil” of the world, James woke up and smelled the coffee - spent time with his sisters and mother while making sure to great everyone in his neighborhood and precinct he watched over.   

Life was something that he realized shouldn’t be taken for granted, and while he wasn’t exactly where he thought he was, it was still a pretty good life for him.

He could only smile, as he watched people go by from his seat outside of one of his favorite delis. The information about the Black Widow and all their heists laid out in front of him, though he was sure by now that they had to be a woman. As blurry as the pictures were, he knew the female body well enough?

The problem arose with Peggy’s statement from their first surveillance: it isn’t the same person.

Did that mean that the Black Widow was a cover for something bigger? It was something that he was going to have to think about even more, especially with mobs getting more of a foothold in the city and even parts of HYDRA were still lurking about, if he wanted to think about it that sinisterly.

“Detective Barnes,” a voice drags him out of his thoughts as he turns to look up, “How are you this fine afternoon?”

Blue eyes turn to meet a familiar setting as she gives him a welcoming smile. James can’t help but think that she has just gotten out of the clinic since she was still weaning white mary-janes and her hair was pinned in a style to be kept behind those caps they always wore, but besides that, it was a skirt and cardigan ensemble.

“Perfectly well,” Bucky explains as he gathers his papers only for her to give him a curious look, “Just managing some finer work details. Did ya just get out of work?”

“Yes,” she nods, as he gets up and pulls out the other chair for her. She looks at him with a curious look in her eyes, as he gives her an awkward but hopeful smile. James hadn’t done something like this in a good while and he could feel the rustiness seep into his mannerisms, but luckily for him, she ends up taking the seat and ordering a sweet lemonade.

“Tryin to catch a villain, Detective?” she teases with a smile before taking a sip of her drink, as blue eyes watch her.

“Something like that,” Bucky huffs out, almost not noticing that she keeps looking at the file that he was putting away before turning back to look at him, but James was sure --after going through so much-- that it was just morbid curiosity on her part -- civilians always tended to do that.

“So what have ya been up to?”

Bucky isn’t sure who asks it first, but they both end up laughing as she moves forward with telling him about her friends who are in California enjoying the first vacation that they had had in a long time. Bucky ends up telling her about his sisters and mother, a little bit about Steve planning on proposing but that’s it; as much as he wants to get to know he still feels that there is a barrier that she isn’t willing to let go of and Bucky is nothing but a gentleman. But, somehow they manage to make it work as they end up talking baseball, how he is trying to relearn piano, and how she is trying to pick up on some mechanics here and there.

“Well, if you ever need any help,” Bucky can’t help but out. It isn’t meant to be mean or anything, just as a carefully laugh and while he is actually quite interested in why a gal like her needs to learn it, the look on her face --bitter and sad-- tells him not to touch the subject any further for now.

They end up having an early dinner and before Bucky knows it, it is time to go back to the station but not before asking if he can walk her home once more -- it was something that he was getting used to. She smiles and nods, and while it’s a quick and quieter walk than the last two Bucky enjoys it either way. And once more, they are standing in front of the steps of her red-brick apartment.

There are so many things that he wants to say and ask about the type of life she might have behind closed doors, but it’s not proper to ask with how little he still knows about her. Instead, he decides to be discrete and vague about the thing that was worrying him since the last time he had seen her.

“Take care of yourself,” Bucky almost sounds like he’s pleading with her, as she looks at him with wide eyes. He motions to her arm, skin hidden underneath her cardigan that she always seems to wear despite the weather as he gives her a serious look.

“I’ll try to watch where I’m going, Bucky,” she gives him one last smile before heading inside and while James knows he should be going, he ends up standing there a little while longer.

On his way back to the station, Bucky can’t help but wonder if this is what Steve meant when he was trying to explain --back during the war and in the trenches-- that he was falling for Peg.

[scatteredmartianthoughts]

Why Persona 5/Royal means so much to me and how I view my bonds (ADDENDUM: SPOILERS WILL BE INCLUDED - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED)

As I am writing this, I am 7 years past from conventional Australian high school life and just about a year past from graduating from university life. With adult life, it is tough to create time for yourself, let alone for your friends. Each and every one of us have different priorities: work, further studies, family, kids, bills to pay, etc. In addition, an actual health crisis in COVID-19 on top of the already giant wave of cynicism that we’re facing about the world from years prior makes the future seem pretty bleak. Wearing masks, following proper hygiene and especially social distancing is consistent globally (or at least should be while we’re still dealing with COVID-19). Sure, we can use technology as a way to connect, and it undeniably helps in maintaining our bonds, but it is not the same as actually being in person and spending time with them. With the epidemic putting a worldwide stranglehold on everyone, along with the stresses of growing up, creating and maintaining our bonds became a lot more difficult. So random question: What do you think of when someone brings up Persona 5 (P5) or Persona 5 Royal (P5R)? A masterclass of dynamic visuals and flair that is distinctive and aesthetically and thematically fitting our striking and rebellious protagonists in the Phantom Thieves? Top tier soundtrack? A fantastic turn based RPG system based on combos, follow-ups and support? Or maybe the personas themselves being the manifestations of the inner self and reflecting one’s inner strife and turmoil like dealing with death and grief (P3), or handling and understanding our true self (P4) or rebelling against corruption as we mature in an unjust world (P5)? All legitimate answers. Just a small addendum: P5R is an enhanced version of vanilla P5 that adds more personas, tweaks the combat and level up system to make it more seamless but compensates it with more intelligent A.I. and especially added story content (we’ll especially get to this part later). Yet, when I think about this game, I think about the social simulator aspect that works in tandem and beautifully complements the RPG gameplay where we explore the supernatural world of that particular Persona game. In both games, it acts as a way to worldbuild the busy streets and areas in and near Shibuya. You’ll encounter many different key support characters, within and outside the main cast of your group, the Phantom Thieves of Heart. By getting to know these characters and ranking up each confidant (maximum rank is 10 for each), you will be able to access a whole plethora of special abilities such as: learning new methods to down opponents instantaneously, access to personas only available by maximising each confidant’s rank, access to immensely helpful combat and support items and methods and especially the transforming your team member’s initial Personas into stronger forms. From a narrative perspective, you will get to know each character better, as they vent and confide their hopes, dreams, fears and desires whilst each of their stories fit with the major themes of maturation, finding your own road, rebellion and corruption. Yet, you can’t just immediately get to know all of them at once. In game, you’re just a transfer high school student. While you have free time, similar to real life, you have to make a choice on how to use it. Should you spend time getting to know a person? Or maybe level up one of your social stats like knowledge or kindness? Or working a casual job to get money? Maybe tackle one of those side missions?  There’s no “correct” choice on how you spend your time. Heck, it is even more interesting that these are all optional. It is up to you whether or not you get to learn these characters and get to know them. Some are completely missable if you don’t explore hard enough. Essentially, on one side, you’re just a normal high student that unfortunately was dealt a terrible hand and on the other, you’re the leader of the Phantom Thieves. Codename: Joker. Since P3, the social link/confidant system I just described uses a very interesting motif: the tarot card system. As the protagonist of your story, you are the Wild Card - Arcana Number 0: The Fool. In order to attain a form of enlightenment at journey’s end, also referred to as the World Arcana, you will encounter many other Arcana before reaching said end. Each significant social link/confidant you meet in-game, regardless if they become a party member or NPC, are each represented by one part of the Arcana series.  This is due to symbolsing on what kind of individual and personality they have but also what challenges they need help overcoming and what they represent to the in-game protagonist of each game. Mind you, it has been stressed that any character that fits any of the arcana cannot be those who will only be friends or acquaintances within a superficial nature. It has to be a close, trusting friendship that grows with effort and time. Here are some examples. Those who represent the Emperor are often male characters who try to control their own surroundings but are troubled by something(s) very personal and don’t know how to deal with it. Characters that fit the Temperance are those who struggle to find the harmony and balance that they desire. And those who suit the Hermit arcana tend to the smartest people that you will meet but tend to be introverts or those who desire more supportive roles. We’ve definitely met people within our lives that fit the criteria of the noted examples. Yet, by meeting these types of interesting people within our lives, through that time and effort, both sides can attain a form of wisdom and learn from each other. I’ll use an in-game example: Toranosuke Yoshida. To Joker, this confidant is represented by the Sun Arcana. Anyone from this group tends to be people who are on the surface have a sense of confidence, hope and optimism but ironically find themselves in terrible situations that constantly hurts their self-esteem, self worth and constantly questions their own purpose in life. For this game, he is an optional social link that can only be unlocked after taking on two shifts within the Beef Bowl job at Shibuya’s Central Street. He is an eldery gentleman and a politician who hopes to make amends for his terrible and corrupt mistakes of the past but also to make a positive change in a stagnant Japanese political system. He is seen making an earnest effort in giving speeches in front of a crowd near a subway’s gateway. Although demonstrating impressive speech-giving skills, as soon as a critical voice in the crowd shouts out “No-Good Tora”, his past regrets and lack of self-esteem shows and loses the crowd’s attention as he cracks under negative pressure. By meeting him, he found a youth who is willing to believe in his message, support him in his live speeches and also a hope of a younger generation that is willing to make a change. While the MC found a redeemed adult, after dealing with corrupt adults, and who is willing to learn about his diplomatic and speech-giving skills. As you rank up his confidant, you get to learn to negotiate with downed enemies for more money, rarer items and to possibly join your team, alongside unlocking the fusion recipe for the strongest Persona you can obtain from this Arcana: Asura. In the narrative sense, he starts to gain his confidence and learn on dealing with voices that are critical or even adverse to his live speeches and even flip the momentum back into his favour, while still being respectful and charismatic. In the conclusion of his confidant link (Rank 10), after several distinct story content relegated to his arc (which I won’t spoil), Yoshida gives a heartfelt speech in front of a larger, excited, more supportive crowd than from the past. Not about the current government. Not about his desire to be a part of the Diet Building. But about how he met this young man, although with different methodologies, is trying to reform the world. Yoshida admits that it seems like a tough mountain to cross. His anecdote gives an impression to the audience that this young man reinspired him to go for his aspirations and reminds them to go for it as well. Even though they can’t share the same path, Yoshida confidently states that they “will surely meet at the peak”. He admits from a previous speech that his efforts may not be heeded now but will hopefully be a stepping stone for future generations. Before that final speech, in private, he deduced that you were a member of the Phantom Thieves but won’t meddle in your affairs. If anything, he respects their tenacity and vision. It’s not even the most emotional nor most dramatically interesting confidant or story. Yet, it left me with an amazing impression that through weird, random scenarios and situations, you can meet people who are worth meeting and understanding. In greater reflection, although I am blessed to have both quality and quantity in terms of my major friends, if I were to apply this motif in how I view my bonds, I could say that each of their personalities and stories can represent each part of the arcana, with definitie overlap in notable places. With just some examples, with the people I’ve met, I’ve learned to be a bit more confident in my skills, embrace my tastes and hobbies and understand from their faults and failures as they have from learning from my own errors and mistakes. You could say that in my journey through life, to evolve from the Fool and learn some knowledge of the World, I encountered and befriended many people from many different backgrounds, cultures, tastes, personalities and worldviews and appreciated every single one of them. I hope that maybe by spending their time with me, they gained some sort of food-for-thought advice that may help them moving forward in conjunction with knowing they have a friend in me.

Then there is the ending of P5R’s 3rd semester. Exclusive to P5R, it can only be unlocked after meeting certain criteria. What I loved about this arc would be that it was largely teased and set up from previous moments in the game. Without spoiling the meat of the story of this arc, it added an intriguing layer of nuance and depth to the aforementioned themes surrounding the game and also added one more thought-provoking theme to the mix: stagnation. Before continuing, I think it is best to first address vanilla P5’s ending. Joker and the rest of the main cast finally helped stop a potentially world-ending crisis and retire from being Phantom Thieves. With the MC moving back home, instead of just saying one final goodbye, the group of friends offered to drive him back. On a near empty highway, the clear skies and the open breeze. The future doesn’t belong to anyone but ourselves and we can see how bright it is, together. Now let’s go to P5R’s two major endings. Yes, you heard me right. The final antagonist essentially created a world where the deepest wishes that a character has is granted and the greatest regret and/or wrong is corrected. For example: Haru has the close relationship with her father she always wanted...even though he died during the main story via previous events. Morgana finally got to be a human...even though it spits on his previous acceptance on what he actually is and his true role to the main cast. Essentially, everything seems so perfect yet everything feels so wrong. Before the final confrontation/boss battle, the final antagonist offers one final choice to the MC. Will you allow them to take over the world and allow yourself to live in their version of “paradise”? Or will you reject it, willing to go on and continue onwards and forge the path that you desire, even with problems persisting throughout? Let’s say you choose the former option, what happens? In summary, whilst on the surface seems like a joyous ending, is actually quite haunting on closer analysis. While the crew can still stay together, the MC doesn’t need to leave Shibuya, Akechi is alive and Kasumi is happy, it still seems off. Yes, the main cast gets their wishes but it also ignores the challenges and tribulations each member went through that built their inner strength and ideals. There's a group shot at the end at LeBlanc’s with everyone in frame. Everything feels right but the MC and Akechi are looking at you: the player. In this arc, they were the ones who, plotwise, were against the entire idea of submitting their future, morals and ideals for an easy way out. You gave up. Notice it says “END” at the bottom right? You chose a stagnant future. Nothing goes wrong but nothing progresses. A beautiful lie. There’s nothing beyond this. But what happens when you choose the latter option to reject? Post final battle, it is not only the final disbandment of the Phantom Thieves but also a parting of ways for the main cast. Ryuji is moving away in order to return back to the track team and have rehabilitation for his injured knee. Ann is planning to do some studying abroad for her future career. Yusuke has greater inspiration and motivation to return to painting. Makoto and Haru are planning to move away as well for their own higher education and individual career aspirations. Futaba finally breaks out of her shell and plans to enter high school and research cognitive psience in college. In his rejection of a false paradise, Akechi is finally able to rest in peace. Sumire, with a renewed heart, will no longer linger behind in her late sister’s accomplishments but achieve her own feats and achieve her and her own sister’s connected dreams. And finally, Joker will return to his hometown, with Morgana joining him. Instead of one final car ride together, Joker and Morgana, after saying their final goodbyes, take the bullet train home. To say that it is bittersweet and left me in shambles is an understatement. But yet, it is the perfect ending and an interesting twist to the original P5’s ending. It redefined the major theme of freedom. P5R took a bold approach in saying that we each have our unique path in life and must walk it, even if it may be “alone”. However, with the bonds that we’ve beautifully weaved, those that are true will always return to each other one day. In P5R’s true ending, it closes with “FIN”. Although it is finishing this story, there will be another tale right around the corner for us. It further re-emphasised and reminded me of my current viewpoint and situations with all of my friends as someone removed from both high school and university life and made their way into the real world. As I’ve explained before, it is nowhere near as easy as it once was. We are all no longer connected by a mutual place where we can easily just hang out and create random memories, where creating time is not a worry. That each of my closest friends, even with similar interests or dreams, have their own distinct aspirations and futures. Hell, I’ve made a lot of great friends but because of a number of reasons, I just felt time made us further distant from each other and making those fun times feel like several lifetimes ago. It feels disheartening and cruel but those who matter will find a way back or remain in contact. I want to share a small anecdote. I just randomly messaged one of my old childhood, primary school friends to see how they are going with life. What was supposed to be just a quick checkup between two old friends ended up being an impromptu, primary school reunion of up to 7 people (including myself). Mind you, I haven’t seen some of them in person for 5+ years. And yet, it is one of my favourite memories as of yet. We’re all walking different paths but felt amazing to see how each of them are going with their own personal journey and their growth. Just with this group, I have no clue when we’ll have something similar to this again but even if time may separate us for years, we’ll find a way back to hang out once more.

Another thing that this game helped reminded and re-emphasised me of, would be how important YOU play a part in your friend’s lives as they have to you. It sounds narcissistic but let me explain. In the game, at the very last day, you will say your final farewells to your teammates and all others who played a part within your journey. If you max ranked the confidants outside of the main cast, you definitely feel  the greater impact and appreciation of your effort. Kawakami is no longer bound to a double life and has her passion to teach again. Iwai doesn’t need to hide his Yakuza past nor how he brought in his adopted son and finally has a new chance to be the father he always wanted to be. Yoshida finally has the confidence to not only acknowledge and learn from his corrupt political past but also has the greater confidence to move forward and stand for the younger generation who aspire for a bright future. These are just some of the examples of your effort bearing fruit.  I will admit to doubting that my efforts are really helpful at all. I think for the most part, at best, I’ll just contribute a minor part to their happiness and/or growth. Yet, similar to the game, you will meet people that are legitimately grateful for your presence, time, effort and love. It is still crazy to me when someone affirms me and is grateful for my efforts when I spend time with them. That especially goes both ways as I feel immensely happy that there are those who are willing to take a risk and make time for some random idiot like myself and get to know me and who I am. Mind you, my love languages are Words of Affirmation and Quality Time. Regardless of whatever you believe in, may it be God, the universe or coincidence or dumb luck, it genuinely warms my heart and soul and eases my mind to know that effort to make time is worthwhile and to be acknowledged for my efforts; as if I met these people, and maybe even more, at the right place and at the right stage of my life. Regardless of when you met a close friend, do not underestimate your impact (something I still need to learn myself). You never know if what you do for them may be one of the things they need to see and hear.

Friendships and bonds are important.  It sounds so overly played that the moral goes beyond a cliche’ and became a meme. Yet, both iterations of Persona 5 was a game I needed for my post education life - entering the real/full time working world. In an era where the world seems so divided and that time has separated each of us to our unique paths and made each other so distant, P5 and P5R allowed me to reflect on how I viewed my own bonds with closest friends in a new era of my life. It made me appreciate my current bonds on a whole new level. I don’t know who needs to read this right now, but thank you for being there. Even if I just met you just the other day or we’ve been friends for many years, please know that I appreciate you for who you are and what you mean to me. Thank you for giving some part of your time to make mine feel just a bit more timeless. I hope, even in our twilight years, that we continue to make many memories and grow within our bonds. To those who I’ve failed, I apologise. I have no idea if we can reconnect and make it the way things as they were before or allow time to walk our own paths but I hope you will find the happiness you deserve. If we do reconnect, I’ll do my best to keep improving as a person and as a friend. Just know that you are not worthless and you’ll always have people that do desire to be with you. Even with more grim scenarios, I know you’ll meet people who WILL be there for you. It’s tough to execute in practice as we go forward but not impossible to make the time and effort. I want to end this blog with a quote from Ann to the player as the MC prepares to say goodbye to all his closest friends and confidants (via the new true ending from P5R): “I’ve gotta reach people. I wanna give someone hope - like you did for me. Thank you for all you’ve done. The days I spent with you were some of the brightest in my life. Once I’m a star, I’m gonna shine even brighter, though - so watch out for me!”

Addendum: Sorry for being so late on this post. A lot of stuff was happening on my end and I wanted to make sure whenever I write a blog post, I write with the right mindset as I want to make it as genuine as possible and speak from the heart. I hope you enjoyed reading through this one. Next to Super Mario Galaxy, Persona 5 (more so the Royal version) is one of my favourite games of all time (currently my 2nd at the time I’m writing this). I definitely wanted to discuss its impact on me, similar to Galaxy. Hope you guys are doing well and will look forward to my next discussion topics that lie ahead.

[walkman-cat]

i love gentleman thieves <3 gentleman thieves my absolute beloved <333