doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

[ Oh, Akira. How many times does he have to say there's no need to lie to him... ]

That is... beside the point.

[ And that's his way of putting an end to a discussion he doesn't really want to have-- one he shouldn't have, if he wants to keep his cool and rational exterior intact. He can't let anyone know about this insecure, needy side of him, even if Akira might already have enough evidence to back that up. ]

What's relevant here is that, even though I knew it wasn't like you to do something like that, at the time, it still felt real to me. And instead of trusting my judgement of character, I allowed a curse to take over my feelings, and lashed out as a result. I was... weak, and wound up hurting you. Again.

[ A pause as he heaves a sigh, eyes fluttering closed. ]

I don't wish to keep hurting you every time this town acts on a whim. But the more I think about it, the more I can only find one way out.

[ One that might hurt Akira just by voicing it out loud. ]

[He might not voice it out loud, but Akira can guess, and the look of pain that briefly knits his brows will probably tell Akechi that he already knows.]

...If you break up with me, I want it to be because you don't want to be with me anymore.

[He says it firmly, with conviction, because it's true. No matter what the town does to them, this should be about their feelings, and nothing else.

Even if he knows it's more complicated than that... but here, in this place, it doesn't have to be, does it?]

I don't care that you got mad at me because of some stupid hallucination. You shouldn't either. Don't let the town win.

[ Don't let the town win? Hah.

That gives him pause, and he looks around them, at the forest slowly but surely extending beyond its designated space. There's no doubt this is the town acting up, the town encroaching closer and forcing its temporary inhabitants back; if it keeps pushing in, soon enough there might be no place left for them. No place that is safe.

In a flash of light, he changes into his Crow outfit; in one more, his sword is drawn, and he hacks and slashes through grass blades and roots with his usual methodical precision. ]

This is how we can win against the town. By fighting creatures given physical form and fending off tangible threats.

[ He turns to look Akira straight in the eyes, surprisingly open. ]

But when it comes to feelings, I'm not sure that's a battle I can ever win. Not when it comes to you.

[ For better or worse. ]

[Akira watches him, as he hacks at the trees. It isn't all that effective, but it's something, and if only Akechi could stay willing to apply that amount of energy to them, to this...

With a soft pop, he's Joker, standing with his dagger drawn.]

But it's not a battle you're fighting alone. I'm here with you.

[He turns and hacks off a vine, then a root.]

The town has turned me on you, too. I don't know that it will never happen again. I'm scared that it will.

[He looks back up at Akechi.]

But I've told you before. I don't want to let fear stop me.

... You don't understand.

[ Fear? He wishes it were as simple as that.

No, what he feels is something else entirely. He doesn't want to ruin the one precious thing he's had in his life, it's true, but he's not scared for himself-- he's used to pain and loneliness, after all, losing a relationship wouldn't be such a big deal. What he doesn't want-- what he dreads is the idea of seeing Akira get hurt, by his hands and words alike. He wants to protect his happiness, whatever it takes... even at the cost of Akechi's own.

Placing someone's needs and well being above his... There's definitely a different name for that feeling. ]

This is useless.

[ This talk? Maybe. But he hopes Akira takes it to mean their efforts at fighting off the forest. ]

You can use ice spells, correct? It would be easier to take these trees down with one strike if they were frozen solid.

[ Knowing Akira, he can guess this won't save him from having this conversation for much longer, but he can at least try to forget about the immediate implications of his thoughts. ]

[Akira raises an eyebrow, and then calls on Koropokkuru.]

Mabufu.

[It takes multiple strikes because it's a weaker ice spell (before, he had Yusuke around, so...) but soon enough the trees around them are frozen through.

His task done, he looks back at Akechi.]

You're changing the subject.

[He's making it clear that no, Akechi isn't getting out of this conversation so easily.]

[ Akechi takes up his stance, and he's ready to unleash his frustrations in a productive manner by striking down some meddlesome trees, when Akira calls him out on his dodging techniques. That piece of shit isn't letting him off the hook easy, huh? ]

Am I?

[ So he lowers his sword and shifts his attention back to Akira, perhaps a little too impassive for the ever pleasant detective, but there's only so many masks he can keep up with at once. ]

I thought we had come here to take on a quest together. If you've said your piece and I've accepted it, then isn't it about time we focused on the task at hand?

[ They've discussed enough as it is. ]

We came here to talk.

[He never said anything about a quest. Not that he's going to stop Akechi from breaking a few trees, but he can't just leave this conversation where it is. Not when Akechi basically said he wanted to break up.

Akira can't handle this. He's been on the edge for too many days now.]

You can't just talk like... like you're going to dump me, and then stop.

[And he can't help it, but hurt creeps into his voice.]

[ ... ah. There it is, the thing Akechi wanted to avoid all along. ]

... Sorry.

[ It's short and devoid of his usual brand of stuffiness with a side of needless formality, but that's Akechi being completely out of his element. It's what makes the sentiment behind his words more genuine, too. ]

I thought we were clear on that? [ And that comes with a weak, embarrassed laugh, a forced attempt at normalcy. ] It wasn't really an idea I'd put serious consideration into, to begin with, and even less so under those terms.

[ A sigh and he builds up the courage to take a step forward, closer. ]

There may be a lot I don't know how to solve or even deal with, but one thing, I know for sure.

[ He reaches for Akira's fingertips, tentative. ]

There's no one I wish to be with more than you.

[ And like this, he hopes he can bridge their emotional distance, too. ]

[Akira stares at the fingertips reaching for him for a moment, then he reaches out the rest of the way and encloses Akechi's hand with his own, then closes the gap between them.]

...I feel the same.

[He yearns to close the distance even further, but hangs back, so he doesn't move too fast, and scare Akechi off. Not when they've come this far.]

Let's both be clear on that.

[No matter what the town does to them.]

[ Caught silent in between Akira's ever so impressive eloquence and the warmth of his hand, Akechi allows himself a moment to let those words sink in and make a mark-- one that he hopefully wouldn't forget, the next time the town tries to pit them against each other. Because he's sure it will, sooner or later. ]

I'll try to remember that.

[ It's all he can offer in earnest right now. That he's willing to keep trying.

So he takes another minute, and gives Akira what must now be a trademark hand squeeze, still feeble, but filled with promise. ]

At the very least, we're past the stage of awkwardly holding hands under the pretense of taking on a quest, aren't we?

[ It's a joke to lighten the mood, sure, but also a fond memory back from a time when they weren't even together yet. Seeing how far they've made it, thinking of everything they've been through... it gives him something akin to hope. ]

[He gives a little laugh at that, clearly feeling much better about the whole thing now. Even if all they can do is try, that's better than giving up.]

Yeah. Now we can awkwardly hold hands without pretense.

[It's a joke, of course - there's nothing awkward anymore as Akira takes Akechi's hand more firmly, lacing their fingers together. He gives a reassuring squeeze back, the smile growing on his face utterly betraying him.]

So you want to take out some trees?

[As long as they're here, might as well, right?]

[ Akechi offers a shake of his head at that comment, but he's smiling, too; there may be some awkwardness left on his part, but he's happy to have dropped an unpleasant conversation he didn't want to have. Happy with the conclusion they came to, too. ]

I don't see why not. We do make a great team, after all.

[ Another hand squeeze, to show he doesn't really mean it just as quest partners, or even Phantom Thieves. ]

Now, if you'll do the honors of freezing the rest of these, I'm confident I can take care of the rest.

[He grins at that, and turns back to the trees.]

Mabufu!

[And with that, more the trees are frozen, down to their roots. It doesn't take him long, and the trees begin to groan and sag with the weight of the ice.]

Have at it.

[ Damn right he will!

Much like he would for a follow-up attack in battle, he kneels down and draws out his sword to charge it up; when he strikes next, it's a much more powerful move than usual, capable of taking down several enemies - or, in this case, trees - in one fell swoop. ]

That takes care of that! [ Said with a victorious grin, as the trees crumble to pieces behind them. ] I never thought I'd have to use my powers against the local flora, but considering they seem to be trying to push us back, there really isn't another way.

[ And he's under no illusion that this will fix it for good, either, but they'll have to keep an eye out for it. If only they still had a defense force... ]

Edited 2019-02-22 19:17 (UTC)

Yeah. If it keeps going like this, it'll cover the whole town...

[Akira trails off thoughtfully, gazing into the woods past the now ruined tree trunks into the gloom beyond. He's about to suggest they move on to another stretch of trees, if Akechi is willing to go again, when he sees something red dart through the underbrush. It's hard to tell from here exactly what it is, but it's definitely some kind of creature. It stops and looks back at them for a moment, apparently unafraid.

Akira watches it, on guard but not hostile.]

What is that?

Hmm--?

[ Akechi's glance trails after the creature, searching his mental files in hopes to find a good match. If he's not mistaken, that must be-- ]

A kappa...? I don't think I've ever seen one around before...

[ Not that he's exactly surprised, but usually this kind of fantastical creature only shows up when there's a corresponding quest to be taken. Hmm. ]

It... seems to be staring at us. Do you think it might be trying to tell us something?

[The kappa is indeed staring at them, and after a moment it takes a few steps before looking back at them again. It doesn't seem like it wants to hurt them, at least, so Akira takes a step toward it.]

I think we should follow it.

[It's just a hunch, and that seems to be what the kappa wants. He reaches out to take Akechi's hand (so they don't get separated, of course!) before taking another step.]

Let's go.

[ With a nod, he goes for the hand hold again, less awkward this time around, and waits for Joker to join him as they both follow after the kappa, deciding that it's best to keep their Thief outfits on just in case the creature does turn on them and they need to jump into quick action.

Fortunately, that isn't the case.

Unfortunately, as they move deeper into the woods, and a familiar blue light becomes brighter and brighter, Akechi realizes there may be more than one way to fall into a trap. ]

Ah... A door...?

[ And if he's not careful, it's one he might not be able to escape with all his toes and lies intact. ]

[A door.

But not just any door.

Akira feels his stomach flip, so many emotions welling up inside him. Longing to see the twins again, fear that this could lead to issues with himself and Akechi, desperation that this could lead them home... His heart swoops and leaps in turns, as he steps into the clearing.]

...It's the door to the Velvet Room.

[He thinks Akechi might know, but he can't ask that. So he supplies the information himself.]

Why is it here...?

[He steps closer, reaching out for the handle. He has to know.]

The Velvet Room...

[ If anything, his surprise is genuine, though maybe not for the reasons Akira might think. After so long stuck in this town, why has it just now shown up? Why here, of all places?

But then, he realizes, there's an even more pressing matter at hand. If Akira goes inside, and Akechi is somehow pulled in along... The kind of truth that could bring to the surface is-- ]

Hold on a moment! [ He reaches out, a hand on Akira's shoulder so to keep him from moving any further. ] Are you sure it's advisable to proceed? Given the nature of this place, I wouldn't be surprise if this was just another one of their elaborate traps, perhaps even dangerous. After all, in the real world, I wouldn't be able to see it...

[ Maybe he can save his own near slip like this, too. ]

[Akira stops at his command, turning into his hold. He understands why Akechi is nervous, but he also brings up a good point, even if it it's an excuse - it could be a trap.]

...That's true. It's... definitely strange, that you can see it. [He hopes that sounded convincing.] Maybe this is like the portals or something, from before...

[He still wants to know, but he won't open it if Akechi doesn't want to. He can always come back later...]

[ Oh good, his reasoning skills haven't failed him, at least for the time being. But can he really stop Akira from going forward forever? ]

... Knowing you, you will find no rest until you have verified it for yourself, correct?

[ Yes, deep down, he does know Akira well enough to answer his own question. And yet, Akira's conjectures offer him another way out: ]

If you do intend to go inside, would you mind if I accompany you?

[ Since the portals allowed entrance into parts of inaccessible worlds, there's no reason why Akechi can't chalk it up to those same circumstances, in case the Velvet Room really is waiting for them beyond that door. ]

[Ah, called out. It's true, though - Akira wouldn't be able to handle not knowing for long.

Akechi's offer surprises him, given the circumstances. If Igor and the wardens really are beyond that door, will they recognize Akechi, and blow his cover?

Would they blow Akira's cover?

But he can't go on not knowing, and now that Akechi has suggested they go in together, Akira can't think of a non-suspicious suggestion to get Akechi to go away. So after a moment of consideration, he nods.]

If it's something bad, we can face it together.

[He hopes that's true.]

[ Face it together... Though Akira likely means whatever trap that may lie behind that door, Akechi can't help but wonder-- can't help but hope that this could extend to bigger troubles, to greater differences than they've ever had to deal with in this place...

Could they really face anything together? Or is he just fooling himself...?

Regardless of his own daydreams and doubts, he reaches out and takes hold of Joker's hand and gives it a squeeze. ]

Whenever you're ready.

[ He's not sure he'll ever be ready. ]

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