doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

[ ... 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. ]

[Akira squeezes his hand back, then turns to the door. No use delaying the inevitable, right?

So he takes a deep breath, and reaches out to grip the handle. Another breath, and...

Nothing.

Akira tugs at the door, then pushes to be sure, but it doesn't budge.]

...It won't open.

[Normally Caroline would have kicked him inside by now...]

... what?

[ He probably shouldn't be looking so surprised, since he's not supposed to know about the inner workings of the Velvet Room at all, but he just can't help it. As far as he recalls, the door has never denied him before-- and from the looks of it, it must never have happened to Akira before, either.

Is it this place's fault? Or is it something else...? ]

Do you think it could take someone else to open it? Someone with your same powers?

[ Hmm. ]

[It's never happened before, and that's what's so surprising. The door is here, and yet it can't open... Or it won't open.

Is this Igor's doing? Or the town's?

He puts his hand to his chin in thought at Akechi's suggestion.]

You think Minato could open it?

[Minato is their only(-ish) other option right now, of course.]

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