[For a moment, it looks like there's something else he wants to say.
... And then he nods.]
Yes, it seems like our collaboration may be closer to an end than we thought. [Taking a sip from his coffee, glancing at the leggy...] Try not to die before you've upheld your end of the bargain.
[because that pause, that expression, that brief flicker of. . . something at the idea that everything was going to come to an end. . . had to have been more than just a fluke]
[it's not a "no," and it's probably the best Akira is going to get in any conversation. even so. . . his mouth twitches, gaze flickering back down to the chess board. he seems. . . well]
[he seems a bit happy]
Then how about this: if we manage to get everyone out of this mansion safely, then we can extend the terms of our agreement to whatever happens back home.
As friends.
[aw he used the f-word. CASUALLY MOVE HIS CHESS PIECE]
Akechi stares at him for a moment... and moves his chess piece.]
You truly are beyond my comprehension. [Is that a bad thing, though?] Will what little is left your reputation survive if you decide to associate yourself with a convicted criminal?
[Akira's gaze snaps up again so he can blink at Akechi, mild surprise slackening his features. but it only takes a moment for that surprise to morph into understanding, and Akira scoffs in amusement]
I don't care about my reputation.
[HE NEVER HAS. NEVER WILL. FIGHT HIM POPULARITY HE DOESN'T NEED YOU!!]
And technically, I'm still a criminal myself. And I associate with other criminals already.
[maybe not convicted but he and his friends sure did get followed by weird men in black suits and sunglasses]
[... It's hard to tell with the mask and all, but he is totally rolling his eyes at him.]
Your friends don't count.
[Point blank. The Phantom Thieves are like, Weenie Hut Jr. criminals. Gosh.
There is a momentary pause after he says that, though. When he speaks up again, he sounds just the teeniest bit annoyed.]
Phoenix-san approached me today. Apparently, he asked the sisters about reviving those who died before we were brought to this house. It's not out of the question as long as we succeed. [A beat. And a touch more annoyed, a touch more baffled:] ... He invited me to join him if all goes well.
[An offer that he, uh, apparently refused! Considering he implied he plans to turn himself in like, three seconds ago. But at that, he glances up to gauge Akira's expression.]
If you want to gloat because you were right, this is your opportunity.
[they might be weenie hut jr. criminals but they're still criminals!1 gosh]
[also, good on Phoenix for asking; Akira has just. . . been assuming this entire time. he lets out a small huff, almost a bit sheepish that he didn't think to ask the sisters himself and instead had operated under the assumption that it was possible this entire time. whatever!! it's fine!! he was right!!]
[but even so]
I don't want to gloat.
[his expression is light, a small quirk to his lips, a slightly lopsided smile that is not unlike the ones he wears as Joker]
And you beat me to Master Blue, anyway. If anything. . . this makes us perfectly even.
[Sometimes.......... you tell a grown ass adult that you're ready to go poof at the end, and this happens. :/ Now Akira gets to be happy while Akechi stares into the void over the fact he has a whole ass future to look forward to. Gross.]
So you don't want to make use of the only opportunity you will ever get? That's fine by me.
[Gloating rights revoked. Akechi's expression is still annoyed as heck, but... it softens just a teeny bit.]
... Speaking of Master Blue, I was advised to "retrace my steps" to find the mansion's core. Its location will, supposedly, become clear once we pool all our information together. [Everything comes down to teamwork, alas.] ... The house will retaliate, of course. But that should go without saying.
[He will take this with GRACE, even as he crosses his arms and leans back... If only because he has his priorities in order and now isn't the time for petty squabbles.]
Bold words from someone who lost a limb. [Akira, your leggy.] Our lives won't be the only ones on the line, either. Or do you truly believe Master Blue and the sisters will escape punishment for all the help they have provided us so far?
[Akira doesn't lean back, but only because he wants to make sure Akechi can see the confident and almost shit-eating grin that has curled up the corners of his lips. SOMETIMES. . . EVEN AKIRA CAN BE A LI'L SHIT]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[look]
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No.
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[HE'S SO DISAPPOINTED???]
Plum said they exuded an aura of blue. . .
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[Let Blue be a genderless eldritch god. It's fine.]
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I guess so.
. . . anyway, that takes us one step closer to solving the mysteries of this place.
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... And then he nods.]
Yes, it seems like our collaboration may be closer to an end than we thought. [Taking a sip from his coffee, glancing at the leggy...] Try not to die before you've upheld your end of the bargain.
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[there's a pause as Akira moves another chess piece, and he doesn't look up as he asks]
It doesn't have to end when our mansion adventure does, you know.
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Our deal will end once we get to the bottom of this. That's what we agreed on.
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[. . .]
Then what if I want to change the terms?
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Then I would think you're a fool.
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[so. like. nothing would change]
Do you want to alter the terms, too?
[because that pause, that expression, that brief flicker of. . . something at the idea that everything was going to come to an end. . . had to have been more than just a fluke]
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[...
Well...]
If you want to alter the terms of our agreement, then focus on getting everyone home first. Everything will end if we don't succeed.
[It's not... a no.]
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[it's not a "no," and it's probably the best Akira is going to get in any conversation. even so. . . his mouth twitches, gaze flickering back down to the chess board. he seems. . . well]
[he seems a bit happy]
Then how about this: if we manage to get everyone out of this mansion safely, then we can extend the terms of our agreement to whatever happens back home.
As friends.
[aw he used the f-word. CASUALLY MOVE HIS CHESS PIECE]
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What the fuck.
Akechi stares at him for a moment... and moves his chess piece.]
You truly are beyond my comprehension. [Is that a bad thing, though?] Will what little is left your reputation survive if you decide to associate yourself with a convicted criminal?
[Hm?]
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[Akira's gaze snaps up again so he can blink at Akechi, mild surprise slackening his features. but it only takes a moment for that surprise to morph into understanding, and Akira scoffs in amusement]
I don't care about my reputation.
[HE NEVER HAS. NEVER WILL. FIGHT HIM POPULARITY HE DOESN'T NEED YOU!!]
And technically, I'm still a criminal myself. And I associate with other criminals already.
[maybe not convicted but he and his friends sure did get followed by weird men in black suits and sunglasses]
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Your friends don't count.
[Point blank. The Phantom Thieves are like, Weenie Hut Jr. criminals. Gosh.
There is a momentary pause after he says that, though. When he speaks up again, he sounds just the teeniest bit annoyed.]
Phoenix-san approached me today. Apparently, he asked the sisters about reviving those who died before we were brought to this house. It's not out of the question as long as we succeed. [A beat. And a touch more annoyed, a touch more baffled:] ... He invited me to join him if all goes well.
[An offer that he, uh, apparently refused! Considering he implied he plans to turn himself in like, three seconds ago. But at that, he glances up to gauge Akira's expression.]
If you want to gloat because you were right, this is your opportunity.
[Hate that.]
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[also, good on Phoenix for asking; Akira has just. . . been assuming this entire time. he lets out a small huff, almost a bit sheepish that he didn't think to ask the sisters himself and instead had operated under the assumption that it was possible this entire time. whatever!! it's fine!! he was right!!]
[but even so]
I don't want to gloat.
[his expression is light, a small quirk to his lips, a slightly lopsided smile that is not unlike the ones he wears as Joker]
And you beat me to Master Blue, anyway. If anything. . . this makes us perfectly even.
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So you don't want to make use of the only opportunity you will ever get? That's fine by me.
[Gloating rights revoked. Akechi's expression is still annoyed as heck, but... it softens just a teeny bit.]
... Speaking of Master Blue, I was advised to "retrace my steps" to find the mansion's core. Its location will, supposedly, become clear once we pool all our information together. [Everything comes down to teamwork, alas.] ... The house will retaliate, of course. But that should go without saying.
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I don't think it's the only opportunity I'll ever get. I'll gloat when I beat you at chess, for instance.
[because he MOVES A PIECE and suddenly]
Check.
[as for the next part of what Akechi says. . .]
The house can fight back as much as it wants to. I'm not afraid of it.
[says the guy missing a leg]
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Congratulations. You've improved.
[He will take this with GRACE, even as he crosses his arms and leans back... If only because he has his priorities in order and now isn't the time for petty squabbles.]
Bold words from someone who lost a limb. [Akira, your leggy.] Our lives won't be the only ones on the line, either. Or do you truly believe Master Blue and the sisters will escape punishment for all the help they have provided us so far?
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[Akira doesn't lean back, but only because he wants to make sure Akechi can see the confident and almost shit-eating grin that has curled up the corners of his lips. SOMETIMES. . . EVEN AKIRA CAN BE A LI'L SHIT]
They can't be punished if the house is dead.
Can they?
[like. who would punish them]
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[They would be punished while the house is alive, you fool.]
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[he's]
[being snarky]