[after the VERY DISTRESSING realization that Akira can't taste his morning coffee (DEPRESSING) he makes his way from the kitchen, mug in hand, back to his room]
[except when he reaches the stairwell he stops, eyes flickering to the side, before he pivots on his heel to face-- nothing?? there's nothing there???]
[. . .]
[his gaze narrows, but he says or does nothing. hm. someone is easily spooked this morning]
[It's fine? It's fine. This week is off to a good start. Akechi can't feel a hecking thing, so he's descending the stairs with a look of utmost concentration up until he spots Akira. He may or may not be gripping the hand rail with more strength than is absolutely necessary, though it doesn't look like he's noticed.]
Good morning. [What is he doing...? Stopping just so he can stare at him, shooting him a questioning look.] You seem rattled.
[that voice jerks Akira out of his blank stare, and his gaze flickers up the stairwell to find Akechi descending same at a. . . very odd posture, now that he thinks about it. why is he gripping the rail like he's about to fall???]
I thought I saw-- [. . . nevermind. it isn't important, and Akira aborts the explanation with a shake of his head] Anyway, I'm fine.
Why're you clinging to the railing like it's a life saver?
If you saw something odd, it's better to bring it up now than wait until it becomes an issue.
[He's not moving from whatever step he's standing on, but he does let go of the hand rail. Slowly. Purposefully. A little bit too calmly to be normal. It's fine.]
You won't even consider sharing? [He doesn't want to share. He just wants coffee that doesn't involve making it himself. He's almost at the bottom of the stairs when his gaze drifts a little to the left, apparently catching sight of something just beyond Akira's shoulder.] I'm hurt. What would...
[What would... what? Apparently, Akira doesn't get to find out because Akechi trails off at this point. A moment later — and his eyes are widening at the same time he flinches away. From what? A mystery. But because of this, his heel will make contact with the step right behind him and, since he's no longer holding the handrail, he immediately loses his footing.
Time to eat shit for the nth time in less than a week. Unfortunate]
[what is fortunate, however, is the fact that Akira is there. it's instinct when he reaches out to grab Akechi's arm in an attempt to steady him before he COMPLETELY eats shit. and he manages to do all of this without spilling a drop of his coffee. HOW GRACEFUL]
[Akira is too good and it's too bad Akechi is going to be an ungrateful little binch. Though not before looking equal parts surprised and confused by the fact that he didn't completely eat shit, taking a hot second to notice the hand on his arm. Almost like he did not feel the hand on his arm in the first place. Hm. Inhaling, he glances in that direction again... and purposefully untenses.
Okay. Fine.
Time to right himself, yank his arm away, and narrow his eyes at Akira like he highkey wishes he had spilled his coffee.]
[HE DOES NOT HAVE JUGGLING ELEPHANT TRAUMA PLEASE!!]
[but Akira is quick to let go of Akechi's arm when he pulls away, having completely and utterly expected the ungrateful assholery he got. and in response he. . .]
[. . . . . . . . . . offers Akechi his mug of coffee?????]
Yeah, sort of. It's called coping.
[HAR HAR]
Plus, you're not exactly giving me serious material to work with, here.
[what with Akechi being all AVOIDANT and everything]
Is he going to yell syke? Because Akechi is going to snatch that coffee cup before he can change his mind. His coffee cup now. His to hold in a death grip even though he's now SUSPICIOUS about the contents, and will unsubtly give them a curious glance.]
I prompted you to elaborate. Was that not enough?
[Is he self aware not to touch the coping conversation with a ten foot pole? We just don't know. Either way, he is totally Fine and Not Being Avoidant and yes Maybe he is On Fire so let him burn in peace? It can be the takoyaki incident redux.]
[no he isn't going to yell syke. ALSO IT'S A PERFECTLY NORMAL AND DELICIOUS CUP OF COFFEE. it's warm and it smells good and it's only mildly poisoned-- just kidding it's not poisoned at all. enjoy it, Akechi]
Quid pro quo. Give some to get some, Akechi.
[with both hands now freed, Akira folds his arms over his torso and raises a brow]
[It could have been poisoned and not a single court of law would have held Akira responsible...
Akira can ask again, though. But, well. It's Akechi. So.]
... I'm fine. You don't need to concern yourself. [He's fine? Look at him, sipping this coffee like a normal human being... even though he can't even tell that it's warm. And, uh, being able to taste it but not feel it is mildly disturbing.] Though from the sound of it, you think there's a reason to worry. Are you alright?
[WAS THAT SO HARD, AKECHI!!! though Akira does not at all believe he's "fine," considering both a) that earlier reaction, and b) the way he is gripping that coffee like it might slip from his fingers any minute now]
I can't taste anything.
[but Akechi's sincere response gets some honesty from Akira, who gestures at the mug of coffee shortly after responding. that's why he gave it away. he didn't want it to go to waste]
And I thought I saw-- [. . .] Someone out of the corners of my vision.
[AND HIS COFFEE IS ALWAYS DELICIOUS, thanks for the compliment, Akechi]
[into his pockets his fingers go, and although Akira debates continuing to be a little shit, he does recall that he and Akechi made a deal to investigate this matter together. sssssso. . .]
I'd like to think I'd be able to recognize myself if I ever saw him on the street.
Don't get too full of yourself. It's not as good as Leblanc's coffee.
[Binch. He wants a refund for that compliment, even as he keeps drinking from the cup. Caffeine... Good... Though not as good as the fact that, maybe, Akechi is not McLosing it after catching a glimpse of his doppleganger. Hm.]
... I see. [Slowly. He pauses, and adds:] Then we saw someone entirely different.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 0, monday
[except when he reaches the stairwell he stops, eyes flickering to the side, before he pivots on his heel to face-- nothing?? there's nothing there???]
[. . .]
[his gaze narrows, but he says or does nothing. hm. someone is easily spooked this morning]
[are are u doing Akechi]
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Good morning. [What is he doing...? Stopping just so he can stare at him, shooting him a questioning look.] You seem rattled.
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I thought I saw-- [. . . nevermind. it isn't important, and Akira aborts the explanation with a shake of his head] Anyway, I'm fine.
Why're you clinging to the railing like it's a life saver?
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So, like. Ignoring that.]
If you saw something odd, it's better to bring it up now than wait until it becomes an issue.
[He's not moving from whatever step he's standing on, but he does let go of the hand rail. Slowly. Purposefully. A little bit too calmly to be normal. It's fine.]
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I hallucinated a juggling elephant.
[false]
[also he is pointedly staring at Akechi with one brow raised like, I see what you're doing, buddy. nothing gets past me]
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Is that so?
[Pointedly staring back. You gonna call him out, buddy?]
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An "honest" answer for someone who sidestepped my question.
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[Shut up. Slowly, almost stiffly, he starts to move to the bottom of the stairs out of nothing but sheer spite.]
More importantly, is that coffee I see?
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[watching Akechi descend the stairwell carefully]
And it is. All for me. None for you.
[HE CAN'T TASTE IT]
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You won't even consider sharing? [He doesn't want to share. He just wants coffee that doesn't involve making it himself. He's almost at the bottom of the stairs when his gaze drifts a little to the left, apparently catching sight of something just beyond Akira's shoulder.] I'm hurt. What would...
[What would... what? Apparently, Akira doesn't get to find out because Akechi trails off at this point. A moment later — and his eyes are widening at the same time he flinches away. From what? A mystery. But because of this, his heel will make contact with the step right behind him and, since he's no longer holding the handrail, he immediately loses his footing.
Time to eat shit for the nth time in less than a week. Unfortunate]
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[what is fortunate, however, is the fact that Akira is there. it's instinct when he reaches out to grab Akechi's arm in an attempt to steady him before he COMPLETELY eats shit. and he manages to do all of this without spilling a drop of his coffee. HOW GRACEFUL]
[his next commentary is less so]
Ah.
You saw the juggling elephant, too?
["juggling elephant"]
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Okay. Fine.
Time to right himself, yank his arm away, and narrow his eyes at Akira like he highkey wishes he had spilled his coffee.]
Is this a joke to you?
[MAYBE
HE HAS JUGGLING ELEPHANT TRAUMA, AKIRA KURUSU.]
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[but Akira is quick to let go of Akechi's arm when he pulls away, having completely and utterly expected the ungrateful assholery he got. and in response he. . .]
[. . . . . . . . . . offers Akechi his mug of coffee?????]
Yeah, sort of. It's called coping.
[HAR HAR]
Plus, you're not exactly giving me serious material to work with, here.
[what with Akechi being all AVOIDANT and everything]
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Whatever.
Is he going to yell syke? Because Akechi is going to snatch that coffee cup before he can change his mind. His coffee cup now. His to hold in a death grip even though he's now SUSPICIOUS about the contents, and will unsubtly give them a curious glance.]
I prompted you to elaborate. Was that not enough?
[Is he self aware not to touch the coping conversation with a ten foot pole? We just don't know. Either way, he is totally Fine and Not Being Avoidant and yes Maybe he is On Fire so let him burn in peace? It can be the takoyaki incident redux.]
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Quid pro quo. Give some to get some, Akechi.
[with both hands now freed, Akira folds his arms over his torso and raises a brow]
So I'll ask again: are you okay?
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Akira can ask again, though. But, well. It's Akechi. So.]
... I'm fine. You don't need to concern yourself. [He's fine? Look at him, sipping this coffee like a normal human being... even though he can't even tell that it's warm. And, uh, being able to taste it but not feel it is mildly disturbing.] Though from the sound of it, you think there's a reason to worry. Are you alright?
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[WAS THAT SO HARD, AKECHI!!! though Akira does not at all believe he's "fine," considering both a) that earlier reaction, and b) the way he is gripping that coffee like it might slip from his fingers any minute now]
I can't taste anything.
[but Akechi's sincere response gets some honesty from Akira, who gestures at the mug of coffee shortly after responding. that's why he gave it away. he didn't want it to go to waste]
And I thought I saw-- [. . .] Someone out of the corners of my vision.
But other than that, I'm fine.
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He takes another sip of coffee, raising his brows at him. After a moment's pause:]
No sense of taste? That's a shame. [SLOWLY... SIPS...] This is delicious.
[Akira's loss is his gain. Nice.]
"Someone." Someone you recognize?
[At least...... they've moved on from juggling elephants.]
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[AND HIS COFFEE IS ALWAYS DELICIOUS, thanks for the compliment, Akechi]
[into his pockets his fingers go, and although Akira debates continuing to be a little shit, he does recall that he and Akechi made a deal to investigate this matter together. sssssso. . .]
I'd like to think I'd be able to recognize myself if I ever saw him on the street.
[SAID OH-SO CASUALLY]
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[Binch. He wants a refund for that compliment, even as he keeps drinking from the cup. Caffeine... Good... Though not as good as the fact that, maybe, Akechi is not McLosing it after catching a glimpse of his doppleganger. Hm.]
... I see. [Slowly. He pauses, and adds:] Then we saw someone entirely different.
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[BINCH. YOU THINK HE CAN'T MAKE LEBLANC COFFEE, THEN THINK AGAIN]
[there's a pause, and then Akira asks, plain and simple]
. . . so who did you see?
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[PRESSES (X) TO DOUBT.
There's
another pause, though.
And then, succinct:]
Myself.
[Sips............................ Sometimes you get murdered by your doppelganger and That's Fine.]
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[the exact cost of coffee at Leblanc because he don't work for free, Akechi]
[but now that the conversation is veering towards something more serious, Akira settles a bit, expression gardening into contemplation]
I thought so.
[Akira's doppelganger was doing something stupid like POURING OUT COFFEE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE IT but he isn't clarifying]
You heard that creepy announcement, right?
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[He's free to collect his ¥¥¥ at Akechi's grave.]
I did. "My reflection smiled at me," was it...? If it's meant to be a preview of what's to come, it's horribly uninspired.
[Haunted mansion. Real original, Master Blue.]
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[. . .]
You think they could come up with something more original.
Like a haunted coffee shop.
[AT LEAST THEN THEY WOULD HAVE ALL THE COFFEE]
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