My Present to You

The sound of clacks against the smooth stone road repeated themselves over and over again as Yuri ran as fast as his legs could take him. As soon as he sent that message from his PC he bolted out the door of his dorm, sprinting all the way to Sunlake Palms. Were it not for his diet and exercise, he would have collapsed by now. Panting heavily, he felt great relief upon seeing the inn's sign. Slowing down to a jog, he crossed to the side of the street opposite of Vagabond, and placed down the small cardboard box he brought with him. It was in neat condition, with "Joker" written in clean handwriting on the top. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Yuri entered and paid for a single night room, one he didn't intend to actually use. He took a seat by the first floor window and looked out towards his gift. In his left pocket, his phone's camera was open. In the other rest a small screwdriver. There was absolutely no guarantee that anything would happen. He had no time to waste to check for a response. He glanced at his wristwatch. 10:34am. If anyone would claim the prize civilian or not, they'd find what was indeed promised to Joker: Nothing more, nothing less than a single United States dollar.

It would seem like forever as nothing happened for minutes on end. Even a hour would pass, inching ever closer to that noon mark. Yet, people just passed by without so much of a care. It would almost seem as if nothing was ever going to claim the box. Just as the noon mark hit and as a mass crowd began to cloud out the entirety of the box, Yuri would feel his cellphone vibrate. An unidentified tag lit up on his phone screen. Upon even looking at what the message was, the familiar image of the JOKER could be seen. And with it, was a text of instructions.


The nearest television to him would be found to have that same image on its screen with a green background. Soon the letters: For Yuri in bold were written over clearly before finally fading to black and leading to what seemed to be a strange video. The ridiculousness of the video caught the eyes of other lounging patrons despite the uselessness of the staff trying to turn it off and change the channel to no result. But when it was over, another text message was given. "Thank you for your patronage.♡ I appreciate the Washington, I do want to get to know you. How about we have a talk in that room you paid for? Texts can so... impersonal."

And it would fall silent. If Yoshio went to see what was going on outside, the box was gone. But on his phone, the crowd of people that obfuscated the box made it impossible to see who even came to get it...

Time ticked by, with no one taking notice. It seemed like his plan wasn't going to yield results after all, until the clock hit twelve. Upon checking his phone, to see that image... JOKER was more than just a normal person having fun. That bustling crowd out of nowhere couldn't have been a coincidence. Whoever he was, for good or bad, JOKER was someone of importance. JOKER was someone to heed to.

As instructed, Yuri looked at the television. He stared blank faced at the bizarre video. No one could turn it off, further proving JOKER's power. Receiving the other message, he slowly stood up. Joker was here? Though it was definitely possible there was simply a teasing message waiting for him as he left for JOKER. Phone in one hand, the other on his jaw, he made cautiously made his way towards his room. He put his phone back into his pocket and kept his hand close to the pocket with the screwdriver. It was possible JOKER was a dangerous individual, though Yuri still doubted he would be outright attacked. Perhaps they had similar goals. That didn't mean he wouldn't be prepared for the worst, though.

The door was now in sight, almost within arm's reach. He glanced around, making sure no one was behind him as he reached for the knob, and opened it so that his face and body would have as much distance as his arm would allow from the opening. There was no way to tell what could happen next. Extreme caution was vital.

The bought room would be empty, save for the amenities and furniture that came with a hotel. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. When and if Yuri started to come inside, there seemed to be someone sitting in a leather reclining chair, the only chair around save for a stool, that was facing away from Yuri and towards the window. It was difficult to even see a reflection at all due to the angle. But there was still a hand poking out holding a glass full of some kind of beverage. "Do come in, please. And take a seat, won't you?"

No one jumped out at him, and upon hearing a welcome greeting, Yuri decided there was no immediate danger. He came through the doorway, closing it gently behind him. "Hello, Joker," he said as he sat down upon the stool. "I appreciate you coming all the way out to this inn to meet." It was quite comical. Joker may as well have spun the chair around to reveal himself smoking a cigar while petting a Persian cat, the ideal image of a comic book super villain. "There's a fair deal I'd like to learn about you, as well. Of course, I'll answer any question you may have as well." He gave a polite smile to the back of chair in front of him. "So, tell me. What is it you wish to discuss?"

The chair did not move, nor did it even swivel around to reveal the face or mask of a person. The back of the seat would remain facing him. But there was no movement behind it either. Whoever was seating in that seat, they were too unnaturally still for an actual human being at all. However, the voice continued to speak to Yuri. "Did you like the video? I'd wager it was a little bit of a surprise out of nowhere, to be sure. That aside, I would like to know why you sought me out, even going so far to leave me your package to watch me..."

While the content of the video itself were not amusing to him, that it played when, where, and how it did certainly intrigued him. "Yes, it most definitely wasn't expected. In regards to why I sought you out... It was intrigue." That was an honest answer. The elusive JOKER of SMILE Web was a well known, yet enigmatic character. Perhaps it was truly just a mere hobby, or some deluded yet mostly harmless ambition. "Knowledge about people is a form of power. It's impossible for a human to do, though if one knew everything about everyone they could do whatever they desired. It pleases me to learn things about people, and you were quite the interesting figure. 'Would you actually come? What would be your reaction to a single dollar?' Those types of questions. That is all. Though, after these past few minutes, I've become infinitely more intrigued." Yuri readjusted himself for comfort, resting his chin on his hand. "In the end, you came. You could make that video play, that crowd appear. It's not just that you could, but that you did. You have the time and resources, and are willing to do something so audacious. You certainly could be of use to me. You must have some interest or use for me, as well, considering you're here, and the party you've thrown. Is this coincidence or fate? Joker... I'll lend you a hand when you need it most, if you you'll do the same. I love a good jest, though if there's a next time, the support will be more than joke. Perhaps we might end up sharing some goals?"

After Yuri made his answer, there was no reply from the chair in front of him. Again, there was no movement at all. Not even the slightest shift in weight to cause any creaking on the seat. And... nothing would happen at all. If he went to check the chair, there was only a mannequin and an electric recording device. For all of this time, Yuri has been just talking to himself. His phone began to call and after taking it, a voice spoke. "I certainly have an use for you... But I can't truly say if our end game aligns all too well. I'm sure you are a little disappointed at my absence, but no worries... I have a few friends who wish to play~"

As if on cue, the closet and the bathroom that were all the way back to the only entrance and exit to and from the hotel room began to click open. Out stepped two men, but they didn't seem to be like your ordinary people. Pale white faceless visages gifted them a conspicuous appearance as they began to giggle and cackle towards Yuri with slow steps.

Interior of the Hotel Room:

As Yuri suspected, Joker was not truly present. Unfortunately, it seemed his persuasion attempt failed. So they have different end goals? Joker would know. It seemed the knowledge was mostly one-sided. Good grief. Upon hearing the mention of friends, Yuri snapped into combat mode as his body began producing adrenaline. It seemed a trap had laid in wait for him after all. 'Useless. никуда или некуда. You fools truly believe you stand a chance against me?' These men, they were obviously not, or rather possibly more than human. This confirmed Joker was a Persona user, or at least aware of the supernatural aspect of this world. There were no need for words. These men were clearly an immediate danger. Scum that needed to be discarded. No one could defeat Yuri. No one stood a chance against Yuri. He was the greatest, and he would prove that now.

Yuri grabbed the stool he was sitting on, and attempted to swing it down with one hand upon the the left Clown's head as he screamed "Useless!" If it struck, he would swing it again from the left before backing up, though if the Clown caught or dodged, he'd attempt a gut stab with his screwdriver in his other hand.

Action:

Stats:

The two men only continued to giggle at Yuri, it was unclear if they could even understand what he was saying at all, nor did they seem to care. As the stool came down, it would stumble to the side, grazing its shoulder instead of hitting his head. However, no pain would be shown. Unfortunately for Yuri, even as he went to attack him again, the man who was grazed lunged to hug him across his chest into a tight vice-grip... even if the screwdriver would dig into his side as blood began to spill to the carpet. The giggling would never stop, even despite such a wound. And the hug would get tighter and tighter with ridiculous strength.

Nor did the second man who quickly aimed to grasp Yuri's neck from behind, as the undisguised Psyche-Terrorist went to attack his ally, into a choke hold with forearms clamping down into his arteries, to quickly put him into a quick sleep...

Sunlake's Inn was a special place to Nadia. It was a second home - her first real one - even before she had been able to realize the significance of that. She knew the manager, knew the staff, and even though they still mostly considered her an oddball who was uncannily good with words sometimes, she loved them like a distant family she'd never had.

So when the TV in the main lobby started randomly showing clown frogs dancing about, and when the desk workers were unable to turn it off, Nadia, who was just coming up the stairs with a basket of laundry, was instantly on high alert. Her eyes darted around for signs of suspicious behavior, and locked on a familiar face. Yuri. She hadn't seen him since the night of their first dasb, where he had show up in plain clothes and given his name. He didnt know her by daytime appearances however, so there was no way he could know who she was even though she was looking right at him.

He watched the video with interest, looked at his phone, and then headed up the stairs immediately. There was something drawn and tense about his features that unnerved her. He always seemed to appear confident, but this was different. She knew someone ready for a fight when she saw it. The only times she had heard of TVs being hijacked, it had to do with terrorists. Yuri's presence here couldn't be a coincidence.

Quickly, Nadia set the laundry basket down and took a door the the right that led to the breakroom. It was empty at the moment, with almost everyone being out working the morning routines. Nadia pulled the ties of her apron so that it fell away, and grabbed her hooded jacket and scarf from where they hung on hangers.

Bridgett, Nadia's friend and coworker, came walking into the breakroom then, and saw her as she quickly dawned the jacket. "Is everything alright, Nadia?" She asked.

"I'm fine...just feeling a bit chilly." Nadia replied easily, if a little distracted.

"Okay. Maybe you're getting sick. Eew! Keep that cold stuff away from me!" Bridgett joked, as she went to fish around in her locker for something.

Nadia wasn't around long enough to see what it was. With a characteristically nonchalant nod, Nadia left the girl and went back out into the lobby.

No sign of Yuri, though she wasn't sure why she was looking. Quickly, as inconspicuously as she could, she headed up the stairs. The upper floors were quiet. Most people were downstairs enjoying their breakfast, or still in bed, so the silence itself wasn't suspicious. Even so, Nadia felt uneasy. The presence of Ereshkigal was muted during the day, but that still muffled voice whispered caution. Nadia brought up her hood in the empty hallway, covered her nose and mouth with her scarf, and pulled out her Velvet shades. Which during the day took on the form of plain black sunglasses. Meager disguise placed, she made her way about the rooms listening for anything that was amiss. She heard voices coming from a few of the rooms, but nothing that was suspicious enough for her to barge in. Not until...

"Useless!" A single, authoritative word, followed by a loud metal clang. It was muffled, but it was clearly coming from one of the rooms that she'd heard voices from not moments before. Nadia pulled out her phone and quickly texted "trouble inn Room 107" in a group text to Kendra and Cecil. It was possible that Kendra was already awake. At the Inn or working in the Kitchen, since she lived there. And Cecil didn't live too far away. With luck, he may even be closer. She wasn't sure it was anything serious. But there wasn't time to find out and she didn't want the playhouse to lose anyone else after Shotaro.

Putting her phone away, Nadia slid her universal key card into the door, and it unlocked with a soft beep. She lost no time slipping in, swiftly but softly to avoid drawing too much attention. The door closed lightly behind her. She half expected to be wrong, to see only a couple knocking things off the bed or something while they were rolling around. What she saw instead was Yuri, sandwhiched between two individuals who lacked eyes. One was gripping him around the midsection tightly, and it's back was turned to her, the other was around behind Yuri, attempting to strangle him from behind. There was no time to lose, she realized. Keeping her distance, Nadia reached her hand out. As she did so, a large gate was erected between her and the scene between her and the enemies. From the gate sprang tendrils and spikes of black darkness, to skewer the white-faced man that was clutching Yuri's Torso. Although. With the close proximity to each other, it was likely the attack would skewer all three of them. Nadia was still far enough back to avoid a direct assault herself if necessary, but they seemed pre-occupied with Yuri for the time being at least.

Hoping that the commotion would loosen their grips enough that Yuri could muscle his way free of them, Nadia called out in a voice just loud enough for him to hear, but not loud enough that it would carry to other rooms. "Yuri, this way! We need to get out of here, now!" Nadia called. Likely Yuri wouldn't know who she was. Her voice was different when she wasn't Nightingale, and she obviously wasn't in her terrorist garb. Face covered as she was, nobody was likely to identify her off the bat. But in Yuri's present predicament, there wasn't much choice available to him.

action:

It would appear they were either highly tolerant to pain, or immortal. This is the thought that crossed Yuri's mind as the Clown refused to falter upon being stabbed, instead gripping him like a vice, just like the other. Humans can remain conscious for up to twenty seconds with their carotid arteries completely restricted. This is fine.

Stabbing more would be the option of panic, clearly it would not work. Perhaps his Soulbound would affect them. First, thing first, he had to get some more blood to his head, and he was considering gashing his neck to reduce pressure when he heard a voice call out to him. "Yuri, this way! We need to get out of here, now!" accompanied by an attack on the Clown in front of him. Luckily, it seems someone came to see if something was wrong and if so help, and just so happened to be a Persona-user. There was no time to lose. He manifested his Soulbound to his left hand, and swung it in a flurry at the Clown who was strangling him, hopefully hurting the him enough that Yuri could slip free, and throw himself to the ground ahead, in the direction of the stranger, and scramble up to the doorway. If he couldn't get free, he'd have to try and proceed with his initial plan of stabbing his artery to reduce the pressure on it.

Action:

Stats:

It would seem at first that they would be able to subdue Yuri, but unfortunately someone just had to interrupt them. The tendrils sunk deep into the flesh of the one holding the torso, causing them to cackle almost as if in pain and sink down as they let go for that moment. However, the screwdriver would sink deeper into their abdomen before falling face-first and the metallic tool slipping out. The dying man would feebly try to grasp his ankle, but it could easily be kicked aside.

The other strangling Yuri was buffeted by the blow glancing at his dome from the soulbound. Unlike physical mundane weaponry, supernatural tools seemed to actually elicit a reaction. The clown toppled back to the ground before trying to lunge almost bestially at Yuri to also reach for his ankle under a low giggle, even going so far to step over his dying associate...

Hotel Jest:

Their susceptibility against the supernatural was in stark contrast to normally fatal physical wounds. It would seem that if Yuri were to for whatever reason once again fight against faceless people in the middle of the day, he'd have this knowledge on his side. Still, this battle wasn't over. How terribly mistaken those Clowns were if they thought their hands could reach the most agile human to ever exist, at least in Yuri's own mind. He would attempt to jump into the air at an angle above the more wounded clown he stabbed with the screwdriver, while bringing his legs up to avoid their grasps, and hold his sword parallel to the ground above them. If he would reach the air in time, and no attempt to move was made, the blade would make contact with both of them as he landed.

Action:

Stats:

Nadia watched as her skill was successful, and then..watched further as the faceless man slumped down and weakly attempted to continue his assault on Yuri despite his death throws. The sight of a man dying from her own attack threatened to get caught between her throat and her stomach, and guilt that smothered the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears. She felt like she was under water, watching Yuri retreat back and then drop down, attempting to attack both enemies.

This wasn't what she wanted, and for a moment - perhaps a moment too long - she hesitated. What was she supposed to do? She realized she didn't know Yuri enough to actually sway his decisions or change his course of action. She had no way to entreat his listening to her. She took a step back, unwilling to take an immediate action to help Yuri fight off the two. She wanted to grab him and run. That was the plan. Run. escape.

"Yuri, come on, run. We have to get out of here before someone calls the Cadets. Just being in this room could get us in trouble!" She did her best to lower her voice again, so that it would at least sound a little different than her everyday voice did. She entreated him, taking another step towards the door and preparing to flee.

Contingencies
• If Yuri decides to follow her, she will bolt out the door and into the hallway

• If one of the targets gets within 5ft of her, she bolt out the door and into the hallway.