catch-all: akira.

[miscakes]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

Don't feel left out; I would've told you eventually, once we managed to actually use it.

[Akira lifts a hand to his glasses, adjusting them carefully on his nose]

Ash and I broke into a desk in the study the other day. Inside, we found a bunch of Master Blue's stationary and a small, green triangle with a hole in the middle.

The triangle— so far— has acted a bit like my Third Eye. When you look through the hole, the portraits in the ballroom stabilize. Places that are important for exploring light up, too— like the morgue and the infirmary.

[a small shrug!!]

So it's a little cheat sheet, I guess.

[miscakes]

[Giving him a look like he doesn't believe that for a second but, sure. Okay. "Eventually." Whatever you say, Akira.]

So if she's to be believed, that tool will point us in the right direction. [Hm.] But she didn't give us a guarantee that we will find what you need to get home on this floor.

[survivaltricks]

[after this week's break in!!]

Yeah. I don't think it's a tool that can be used to find actual answers, just. . . hints in the right direction.

[a pause, and he looks a bit sheepish]

. . . I would show you how it works, but Ash has it right now.

[miscakes]

[Apparently not soon enough, considering how Akechi is acting right now.]

Then show it to me after Carbide-san returns it to you.

[Binch.]

By the way, did you receive anything yesterday?

[survivaltricks]

Yeah, yeah.

[ANYWAY. . . at that question, Akira shakes his head, and his expression turns a bit rueful]

No. I think my theory about the pool cue and billiards room was wrong.

[miscakes]

[He hums.]

That's a shame. We could have used another item.

[survivaltricks]

[yeah okay, Mr. Smug. but for some reason, Akechi's usual attitude doesn't seem to make him bristle today]

Sorry about that. Can't win them all.

What'd you get?

[miscakes]

[Is it smug or is it salt? We just don't know.]

A crystal ball.

[...

Akechi.]

[survivaltricks]

[AKIRA IS GONNA GUESS BOTH]

. . .

[squints at Akechi like he's trying to imagine him in Chihaya's clothing cuz he is]

What does it do?

[miscakes]

[Chihaya is cuter.

He just gives him a look.]

You failed to mention the skull had a purpose.

[survivaltricks]

[yah]

Do the smelling salts have a purpose?

[raises a brow]

[miscakes]

No. [PLEASANTLY.] If they did, I would have said so. That is what we agreed on, yes?

[survivaltricks]

[. . . huffs lightly]

Touché. I thought they did, and you just chose not to share.

[holds up hands, palms facing forward]

I won't ask about the crystal ball, to keep things even.

[miscakes]

[He stares at him for a moment... and then he sighs, putting a hand on his hip.]

This is a give and take relationship between equals. I have been nothing but honest with you regarding my discoveries, but that can't continue if you won't extend the same courtesy in the future.

[survivaltricks]

[eyeing Akechi carefully, arms still folded, though now he rests his hip against one of the glass display cases as he speaks]

You have. And I appreciate that. [a pause] . . . "more talking, less killing."

[another small huff]

All right; I'm sorry for not telling you the skull's purpose, and about the item Ash and I found. [he unfolds his arms and holds his hands up, palms forward] But with those two things, you know everything I know. I promise.

[and Akechi has been one of the first-- if not the first-- person Akira goes to every time he figures something out, so!!! you know!!]

[miscakes]

[...

He huffs.]

Sounds like you're quoting someone.

[Sounds like an impossible request, but okay. He's going to stare at him for a moment longer, as if trying to determine if he's being sincere, before he nods.]

... Just keep it in mind going forward. [That, at least, seems to calm him down significantly. To the point where he adds, after a beat:] I can use the crystal ball to ask a question or predict a future outcome, but only once.

[survivaltricks]

[. . .]

I learned this on Friday, and not because I thought to do it myself, but because someone else did.

Try ringing Master Blue's bell. That's who I'm quoting.

[and before Akechi can COMPLAIN THAT AKIRA IS HOLDING OUT ON HIM AGAIN!!]

I was always going to share that with you, by the way. Weekends are just busy; there was no time to bring it up before now.

[and as for the crystal ball--]

That kind of ability would come in handy in any situation, not just a trial. Do you have any idea what you want to use it for?

[miscakes]

[Ah.

He won't give him shit for it, but.]

Do you know who and when?

[Whomst the fuck got an audience with Master Blue before him, wtf.]

... I have an idea, but I will need to ask one of the sisters if it's possible first. I won't use my only shot on a pointless question.

[survivaltricks]

Amada-san. Throughout the week. Letters only; nothing in person. Beau-san and Wright spoke with them through letters, too.

[THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GOT AUDIENCES BEFORE U, AKECHI. before Akira, even. he hasn't even tried the bell!!]

Mmm. Smart idea. . . which one will you ask?

[miscakes]

[... WELL, THEN.]

Perhaps it's high time one of us rang our bell.

[The possibility of breaking the bell is still kind of, hm... but...]

... Pumpkin-san is out of the question. I don't have to patience to wait until she's ready to do her job. [And after the fourth body scare? No.] Plum-san is the one most likely to provide a straightforward answer.

[As straightforward as the furries can be, anyway.]

[survivaltricks]

Or both of us. Or one of us, and we're both there. The options are endless.

[har. he jokes, wagging his fingers as he does so]

Plum's not a bad idea. Peach gives straightforward answers too, but Plum is more. . . clinical about it.

[is "clinical" the right word]

[miscakes]

Stop joking and tell me if you plan to ring your bell, or not.

[AKIRA...]

She's more desperate to get out of the conversation. Getting my questions out of the way so she may take her leave is good incentive, I believe.

["Clinical" is one way to put it.]

[survivaltricks]

[amused]

I do. Would you like to be there to save your potential one ring?

[look he's being nice!!]

I wouldn't say she's desperate to end the conversation. She just knows what she's here for.

[and that is to DO HER JOB]

Make tea for her first.

[he'd better]

[miscakes]

If you'll allow it, yes.

[Look. Listen. They might as well try!

Though he gives him a dubious look at the suggestion, frowning.]

Are you joking?

[Akira. Buddy. Pal. Amigo.

The tea will turn out too bitter because he fucked up the instructions and overboiled it, and Plum will ditch him. Don't.]

[survivaltricks]

[THEY MIGHT AS WELL TRY!!]

"If I'll allow it." [snorts] I'll flag you down before I give it a ring, then. Two heads are better than one.

[SPARE THE MODS NPC TAGS]

And no, I'm not. She likes herbal teas.

[he is being DEAD SERIOUS, Akechi]