catch-all: akira.

[miscakes]

Comments

[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]

[miscakes]

I'll hold you to it. If I discover you rang the bell without me, I'll come find you — and it won't end well for you.

[HE'LL KICK YOUR ASS, AKIRA.

But, hm.]

... Noted. [Time to accidentally poison Plum, maybe.] Since you seem to be so well acquainted with the sisters, what do the other two enjoy?

[survivaltricks]

[HE ALREADY TRIED ONCE AND IT WOUND UP WITH BOTH OF THEM GETTING BRUISED SO GOOD LUCK AKECHI]

[but he ain't gonna ring the blue bell without him s o]

Pumpkin likes hot chocolate. Peach likes coffee.

I always treat them beforehand. As thanks for taking time to talk to me.

[miscakes]

It's their job. They're obligated to talk to you as long as you're their guest.

[So he thinks Akira is ridiculous for this. :///

Except he also looks like he's considering, if only to try and worm his way into their good graces.]

[survivaltricks]

What's wrong with trying to make that conversation a little nicer for them?

[look he knows how to social link, akechi. you do not]

[miscakes]

It's not going to be nice for them no matter what.

[he only has two personas of course he doesn't know how to s.link.]

[survivaltricks]

That's fine. They'll just be bratty at you in return.

[each in their own little ways]