[That's a straightforward question to answer... and he looks very serious. It's a big deal to him, being a phantom thief, everything that they've done. He's always carried on with a purpose in mind.]
...It's for justice. We act on behalf of those who cannot act and, in that process, I hope that we have given courage to those people.
[He's completely solemn, as he folds his hands in his lap. Explaining the rest is where it gets sticky, but he's content to convey his thiefy intentions to Lupin.]
[ he looks over at Yusuke rather intently, as if trying to gauge how serious he is with that answer. He's also wondering if he knows Akira; it seems like far too much of a coincidence that two teenage boys from Japan are both "phantom thieves" with the same motivations. But he's been doing his job for too long to carelessly divulge Akira's secret to someone who might not know. ]
That's a good reply. [ a smile; he leans back on his hands on the bench. ] Where I'm from, I'm the only "phantom thief," as you call it. My circumstances were pretty unusual, so I'd never even considered that others might try and do the same thing I do. Kind of a funny feeling, having a colleague.
I never anticipated becoming what I am now. But... my companions truly saved me. Freed me, if you will. So I wished to do the same for them and for others.
[He's still a little struck by Lupin calling him a colleague... and honoured, of course. He's talking to the Original. So, with rapt interest, he turns a little to regard him intently.] Would you be all right with speaking to me a little about your circumstances? I would not ask to hear anything you didn't wish to talk about, but I am curious.
[ that basically confirms it - not necessarily that Akira is one of them, but that there's a group of them running around, stealing things. It's simultaneously hard to imagine - the very nature of being a gentleman thief meant basking in the spotlight, and he can't imagine multiples running around at once - and easy to see how having a team would make heists easier.
Yusuke's question is pretty normal after what Lupin just said, but he smiles wryly anyway, shaking his head slightly. ]
Ah... They're not average, but they're not that interesting, either. I'm just your average petty criminal at heart. [ It's an obvious deflection. He doesn't like talking about himself that much; his past kind of sucked, and he's moved past it almost entirely at this point. ] There are good people that the law can't help, and there are villains the law can't hurt. But a thief doesn't care about laws; he can do what he wants. I just happen to want to even the playing field. Like you.
[Obvious deflection indeed, but Yusuke doesn't push or even do much to acknowledge it. He said he wouldn't ask about anything Lupin didn't want to hear, after all, and he very visibly reacts to the words Lupin says anyway.
His look is discerning like he needs to make sure he's being honest, but... then he nods firmly.]
Yes. There are too many of those who can trample on others without any repercussions...
Exactly. I just can't picture standing idly by while they suffer.
[ so Yusuke is a phantom thief, and a phantom thief is, indeed, someone like himself - a thief who steals not (only) for money and to survive, but to change society.
That leaves one other question. ]
There's one other thing I need to ask you. That thing you called out before - that was a Persona, wasn't it?
[It's heartening to learn that someone like Arsène Lupin has a similar mindset and modus operandi to them. Yusuke thinks of it a little as fulfilling the legacy of phantom thieves, started long before they took up the mantle.]
Yes. That's correct. Kamu Susano-o.
[He tips his head as though to say what about that, Lupin.]
[ his guess was right! It wasn't exactly a long shot, but still. Unlike Orpheus, that name isn't one he recognizes - then again, his knowledge of Japanese culture is basic at best, so he doesn't take that to mean anything in particular. Lupin nods, then gives a wry little smile. ]
You must have an easier time of it with something like that helping you out.
[ if he could summon giant pillars of ice... well, he can't think of anything off the top of his head, but he's sure it would be useful in some heist!! ]
There are a few other people here with that same power you have. Did you know that? Not me, of course, but I've met some others.
Yes, I know of a few. I was quite surprised to encounter them. I had previously thought that I and my friends were the only ones to possess a power.
[But not the case at all... Yusuke shakes his head.]
My Persona, though... he does make some things easier, but unlike here I was not able to use that power at all times back home. I could only call on him in certain places.
I wonder? I can only assume that there is something special about this place.
...Which hardly needs to be said. [Yeah how bout them gun-using Persona users. Crazy. They should just tear off a mask and get blood everywhere.] Mythical creatures, and all. There must be some kind of energy that is present here, perhaps...
When you put it that way, it's obvious, huh? I still can't get used to all this magic... I don't really understand the Persona stuff, either.
[ his world seems so backwards compared to all of this. He doesn't resent it for that in the least; he only wishes he was able to catch up faster to everyone here. ]
But I do understand being a "phantom thief." That's why I wanted to talk to you.
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[That's a straightforward question to answer... and he looks very serious. It's a big deal to him, being a phantom thief, everything that they've done. He's always carried on with a purpose in mind.]
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[ is there a difference? in lupin's mind, yes. ]
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[He's completely solemn, as he folds his hands in his lap. Explaining the rest is where it gets sticky, but he's content to convey his thiefy intentions to Lupin.]
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[ he looks over at Yusuke rather intently, as if trying to gauge how serious he is with that answer. He's also wondering if he knows Akira; it seems like far too much of a coincidence that two teenage boys from Japan are both "phantom thieves" with the same motivations. But he's been doing his job for too long to carelessly divulge Akira's secret to someone who might not know. ]
That's a good reply. [ a smile; he leans back on his hands on the bench. ] Where I'm from, I'm the only "phantom thief," as you call it. My circumstances were pretty unusual, so I'd never even considered that others might try and do the same thing I do. Kind of a funny feeling, having a colleague.
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I never anticipated becoming what I am now. But... my companions truly saved me. Freed me, if you will. So I wished to do the same for them and for others.
[He's still a little struck by Lupin calling him a colleague... and honoured, of course. He's talking to the Original. So, with rapt interest, he turns a little to regard him intently.] Would you be all right with speaking to me a little about your circumstances? I would not ask to hear anything you didn't wish to talk about, but I am curious.
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Yusuke's question is pretty normal after what Lupin just said, but he smiles wryly anyway, shaking his head slightly. ]
Ah... They're not average, but they're not that interesting, either. I'm just your average petty criminal at heart. [ It's an obvious deflection. He doesn't like talking about himself that much; his past kind of sucked, and he's moved past it almost entirely at this point. ] There are good people that the law can't help, and there are villains the law can't hurt. But a thief doesn't care about laws; he can do what he wants. I just happen to want to even the playing field. Like you.
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His look is discerning like he needs to make sure he's being honest, but... then he nods firmly.]
Yes. There are too many of those who can trample on others without any repercussions...
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[ so Yusuke is a phantom thief, and a phantom thief is, indeed, someone like himself - a thief who steals not (only) for money and to survive, but to change society.
That leaves one other question. ]
There's one other thing I need to ask you. That thing you called out before - that was a Persona, wasn't it?
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Yes. That's correct. Kamu Susano-o.
[He tips his head as though to say what about that, Lupin.]
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You must have an easier time of it with something like that helping you out.
[ if he could summon giant pillars of ice... well, he can't think of anything off the top of his head, but he's sure it would be useful in some heist!! ]
There are a few other people here with that same power you have. Did you know that? Not me, of course, but I've met some others.
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[But not the case at all... Yusuke shakes his head.]
My Persona, though... he does make some things easier, but unlike here I was not able to use that power at all times back home. I could only call on him in certain places.
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Is that so? I should have known there'd be a catch. [ he leans back a little in his seat. ] I wonder why you can use him anywhere here.
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...Which hardly needs to be said. [Yeah how bout them gun-using Persona users. Crazy. They should just tear off a mask and get blood everywhere.] Mythical creatures, and all. There must be some kind of energy that is present here, perhaps...
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[ his world seems so backwards compared to all of this. He doesn't resent it for that in the least; he only wishes he was able to catch up faster to everyone here. ]
But I do understand being a "phantom thief." That's why I wanted to talk to you.
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[As, you know. Original phantom thief right here.]
If you had any advice for improving my abilities as one... I would be eager to hear it.
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[ he actually sounds a little surprised to hear it... Fox's getup looked very professional, and that's not even mentioning the Persona. ]
Don't get me wrong, I'm the best in the business, but I'm not sure there's much I could teach to someone who can summon ice demons.
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Having a Persona is one thing, but... there may be a day that I cannot call upon him. So I do not want to be unprepared.
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Can that happen? Or are you talking about those "certain places?"
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[Weird shit happens, Lupin!! He wants to be ready!]