doublecrowss | Inbox for awash

[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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