Tae Time
"So, why're we even here?" asked Ryuji, as he supported his head with his right hand.
"Moral support." replied Shin, as he sat down on a chair in the thinker's pose.
"I don't think you need support to strike a pose." deadpanned Ann.
"I don't intend to appear as a rude person, but could you please be quiet. I'm trying to concentrate." said Yusuke, as he stared at his blank canvas.
"Sorry." said Ann.
The painter had invited Shin to be his muse once again, and the black-haired teenager called over the rest of the Thieves to 'assist' him, as he put it.
After a few hours of awkwardly sitting in silence for most of the Thieves and focus and concentration for Yusuke, the young painter was satisfied with his rough outline of Shin.
"The hell, man?! All those hours and you only have that?!" asked the rambunctious blonde.
"Painting is a long process. It takes many hours for a painting to be finished. Feel free to leave if you are not interested. Your presence is not necessary." said the blue-haired painter.
Ryuji failed to come up with a comeback to that, so he just sat down, grumbling.
"I think this is enough for now. We can continue tomorrow, if you're available, of course." said Yusuke.
"Alright." said Ryuji, jumping to his feet.
The two blondes and Shiho went out of the room, leaving only Shin and Yusuke, as Morgana was outside already.
"So, Yusuke. I want to ask you something." started Shin.
"Hm? Go ahead." said the blue-haired boy, turning around from his art supplies that were scattered about to look at Shin.
Meanwhile, outside the room.
"Ahh, that's nice. I've been holding it in for a few hours." said Ryuji, after exiting the bathroom.
"Ryuji, you have your fly open." said Shiho, disappointed by the blonde's carelessness.
"OH CRAP!" said Ryuji, quickly turning around, embarrassed.
Ann looked at the door of the room they just exited, and then turned her gaze to her best friend.
"What do you think is taking him so long?" she asked.
"Maybe we should check on them." shrugged Shiho.
Ann went to open the door, but the sight made her stop. Yusuke was standing there, shirt open, and his chest was visible.
"Dude, you're way too skinny." commented Shin, as he put his hands on Yusuke's abdomen.
"I admit I tend to lose myself when I'm painting, and I forget to eat sometimes." said Yusuke.
"This is really bad, you know? You should go to a doctor at some point. In fact..."
Shin looked at the other Thieves.
"I have an idea."
-INTERMISSION-
"What are we doing here?" Ryuji asked in fear as he looked up, at the clinic's sign.
"Because I think we all need a check-up." replied Shin.
"But we're healthy." said Ann.
"It's never a bad idea to go to the doctor every so often. Plus, we're here mainly for Yusuke."
"What about me?" asked Morgana nervously.
"I don't know any vets around here. But all things considered, I think you're fine." whispered Shin, as he couldn't just speak out loud to his cat with Yusuke nearby.
"Phew."
"Let's head in."
The group entered the reception area where Tae was working, and she took a double-take when she saw the group behind Shin.
"So... My guinea pig... Who are your friends?" she asked, blinking in shock.
"These are Ryuji, Yusuke, Ann and Shiho. Here for a check-up." said Shin.
"Guinea pig?" the group asked.
"Oh, you haven't told them. Shin here lets me do some wonderful 'experiments' with him." replied Tae with a teasing tone.
"Dude, what the hell do you do around here?" asked Ryuji.
"It's not that bad."
"So... Who's first?" asked Tae.
"I believe I should go first." said Yusuke, stepping forward.
"Perfect, follow me please." said Tae and went towards the examination room.
Inside the room, Yusuke was sitting down.
"Now, Mr...?"
"Kitagawa. Yusuke Kitagawa."
"Mr Kitagawa. Tell me, have you been to the doctor's before?" asked the lady doctor.
"Not for a while." he said.
"Hmm." Tae frowned as she looked at him. "Can you lift your shirt up for a moment?"
As the boy did so, Tae's eyes widened in shock at the thin, almost skeleton-like teenager before her.
"What on earth?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This chapter's additional info is on... the Emperor Arcana!
In tarot readings, the Emperor symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, and its appearance could suggest that one is trying too hard to achieve this, possibly causing trouble for others; some elements in life are just not controllable.
Gameplay-wise, the Personas of the Emperor Arcana are Personas typically excelling in lightning-based and physical attacks; these Personas are almost always kings or emperor figures, but may simply be important male figures and deities. Typically, the king of a mythological pantheon is of the Emperor Arcana.
Within the Persona universe, characters of the Emperor Arcana are often male leaders or father figures (or both). Often times, the Emperor character is troubled by something very personal and doesn't know how to deal with it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Confidants:
0. Igor (The Fool) - Rank 2
I. Morgana (The Magician) - Rank 3
1. Takuto Maruki (The Councillor) - Rank 1
II. Makoto Niijima (The Priestess) - Rank 2
IV. Yusuke Kitagawa (The Emperor) - Rank 1
V. Sojiro Sakura (The Hierophant) - Rank 3
VI. Ann Takamaki (The Lovers) - Rank 7
VII. Ryuji Sakamoto (The Chariot) - Rank 6
IX. Futaba Sakura (The Hermit) - Rank 3
XIII. Tae Takemi (The Death) - Rank 4
XVIII. Saki Yoshiko (The Moon) - Rank 2
XIX. Sho Minazuki (The Sun) - Rank 1
XX. Sae Niijima (The Judgement) - Rank 1
Shiho Suzui (The Hope) - Rank 8