middaeg | [monster mash reference here]

Entry tags:

[monster mash reference here]

Who: Akira Kurusu and you
When: Throughout the month of Aereuer
Where: Monster House (his new home), etc . . .
What: MemSwap stuff can be done here + house party (also, I'll be prioritizing intro threads over this for a bit)
Warnings: N/A currently; will do my best to mark subject lines/edit this as they come up

Moving In/House Prompt
{{CLOSED TO HOUSEMATES (Bailey, Sylvia, Saori, and Jongdae) + CR}}

[ The first thing Akira will be looking into is coffee, and if they happen to have the means? He'll be making that as soon as he can. Sadly, it isn't going to be pour-over; that takes some very specific equipment. Some very specific equipment that'll be the very first thing he looks into buying, probably-- okay, maybe not the very first thing, but close enough.

Anyway, if looking for Akira, he can be found sitting with a cup of coffee in his hands, staring hard at the floor, clearly deep in thought. Or maybe they can spot him hanging out in his room, lying... facedown on his bed, hardly moving. What even...

Otherwise, enjoy some coffee and chat among yourselves. ]

Exploration Catchall

[ There are so many sights to take in, and Akira can be found practically anywhere throughout the month. Maybe the person is spotting him at a random shop, curiously frowning at some of the products, or maybe he's being found staring up at the large wall (Bright Wall), eyebrows lifted in awe.

Sometimes, he will find himself caught up in staring at the sights - it really does feel like he traveled back in time, in a way, rather than winding up in a new world. His expression is often softened as he lets his mind wander a bit. Otherwise, he is simply... sitting down somewhere, resting, looking pretty tired or simply as though he's lacking in energy. While it's clear there's a part of him that's excited over all the sights, there's an air of frustration towards how often he's needing to rest... ]

Maybe I'm getting sick...?

[ That's muttered at some point, mainly to himself, but perhaps it was overheard. ]

Memory Catchall

((Feel free to have a character approaching him after witnessing one of these! Otherwise, you're free to just use this post to play out them seeing it. I'm fine with whatever! Lastly, you guys are free to hit up

skiesonfire for plotting, as always.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Hahaha... ha...

Boy, it had been interesting, all right. Akira had taken a long moment to clear his head; he'd seen something he'd known would be coming, but seeing it from one (1) Goro Akechi's perspective hadn't been on the table during the planning.

Learning about the vampires (regardless of not being 100% sure that's what he's turning into) and the fact that they die - seeing what he'll look like while dead (sure, it'd be a different situation, but still) is absolutely unnerving. Some part of his mind can't help questioning if maybe that's what really happened. Some part of him can't help wondering if Akechi lied - if that's how it actually went down.

But... no, he can't focus on that. His gut still insists that Akechi had been telling the truth with that one. It had been a cognition. It hadn't been real. ]

Akechi-san.

[ He rubs at the back of his neck, managing a grim smile. ]

... I could say the same for you, if this wasn't out of your way. [ holding a blink for a few seconds ] Well, as you once suggested, maybe it's just fate.

[ That grim smile isn't going anywhere, it would seem. At least not while he's looking at Akechi. When he glances at the bird, he can't help the touch of amusement in his gaze. Though it fades as he looks back to the witch. ]

A crow, huh?

[ When Akira is normally hard to predict and get a read on, such a grim smile is fairly telling. It's not like Akira's awakening was the only memory Akechi saw last night, so the fact that Akira may have seen one of his as well occurs to him.

It's a pretty unsettling thought. Akechi has already been quite candid with Akira about the unpleasant parts of his life, but there's still a handful of moments he's deliberately chosen to not discuss, and among those a few that he's absolutely certain he doesn't Akira to see.

But apparently that's not a subject they're bringing up for now, though it's hard to not look a little amused when Akira brings up fate again. He doesn't hesitate to follow course once Akira changes subjects, though. ]

Mm. My familiar.

[ Which is probably obvious. Why else would he have a bird? ]

I was given a few options when I asked about finding one. A crow seemed like the most appropriate choice.

[ He tilts his head, studying the creature with quiet curiosity. ]

What does having a familiar help with?

[ Yes, let them just continue not talking about the weird memory-sharing thing that happened. Maybe they should, though. Akira can't help wondering if Akechi got to see something. And, if so, what did he get to see? He can think of a number of things he'd be less-than-thrilled with having been seen...

Hell, he's not thrilled with almost all of the things he got to witness . . .

Unhappily, he forces himself to casually say the words. ]

... We should talk.

If a Witch doesn't have a Bond partner, a familiar will help stave off the negative effects.

[ Which is just as good as flatly admitting that he doesn't have a Bonded, but it's not like that's hard to figure out. Akechi is well aware of the fact that he's excruciatingly slow to make friends, and equally aware that Akira knows that better than anyone.

But it looks like they can't dodge the most pressing matter for too long. It's almost a relief to have Akira finally broach the subject. ]

I know of a cafe with private booths not far from here.

[ Meeting in public is far from an ideal solution, but Akechi doubts Akira wants to visit Akechi's apartment, or have Akechi over at his place. ]

[ He'd been suspecting that since the beginning, honestly - that Akechi is without a Bond, just based on some earlier things said.

Plus, while Goro Akechi had gained quite an impressive fanbase at one point, Akira can't see him forming a genuinely close relationship that a Bond apparently needs. He is quietly contemplative for a bit after allowing the admitted truth to sink in. It makes the two of them...

There's a bitter smirk trying to tug at his lips, as well as a sassy remark. Some part of him can't help feeling a swell of vengeful satisfaction, in a way. As well as a spiteful urge to rush off and beat this guy at finding a Bond.

... Nevermind that that's a stupid reason to obtain one. Ugh, he isn't a fan of some of the thoughts and feelings that being around Akechi brings.

The mention of a cafe has a soft snort escaping. Because of course he'd pick a cafe. ]

Works for me.

[ He'll let Akechi lead the way. ]

[ If Akechi could read minds (luckily, he cannot) he'd be feeling pretty put out by the spiteful turn Akira's thoughts take. But for now he's got something else occupying him, so he doesn't give the situation any more consideration than usual.

Fortunately, Akechi wasn't lying about the cafe being nearby. Once he pays for his bag of seeds and nuts it's less than five minutes' walk from the store to the cafe, during which he feels uncharacteristically disinclined to make conversation. Probably because there's nothing he can say that's even half as interesting as what they're about to discuss. The only interruption in their trip is when he pauses briefly outside the cafe and gently shoos his familiar away, sending him to wait on the cafe roof until he's done.

They've missed the lunch rush so the cafe is quiet and largely unoccupied, and one of those private boots he'd mentioned is available. Still, he waits until they're settled in with any food or drinks they might want before he speaks again. ]

I assume you want to discuss the shared dreams everyone has been having the past night?

[ He doesn't initiate conversation along the way...

In fact, it takes him a bit to respond, even after they sit. He fidgets with his bangs, gaze lingering on Akechi, expression thoughtful... Though his gaze does go distant for a moment. ]

... That's one thing I want to talk about, yeah.

[ Another couple of seconds pass... ]

I guess there's no point hiding I saw something about you.

[ Akechi is pretty good at controlling his expression, but even he can't help the faint apprehension that's visible when Akira speaks. He doesn't mind, though, because looking apprehensive is better than looking flat out worried. Akira pretty plainly saw something bad, but there are too many possibilities for Akechi to make an accurate guess as to what. He'll cope with whatever it might be, but not knowing what it was and what Akira's reaction might be is almost torturous. ]

I thought it might be something like that. I saw something about you, as well.

[ He leans back in his seat, lifting his coffee cup to take a sip before he continues. ]

I'm not sure what you saw, but I don't mind answering any questions you might have.

[ Well, he can tell that this is possibly stressing Akechi out. Maybe. He might not be right on the money, but he knows Akechi hates not knowing something. While he knows a lot of detective stuff was faked for the sake of doing whatever it is he was aiming for in the end...

He is clearly a detective in lot of ways. Akira suppresses the urge to sigh and nods. ]

I saw you shooting me in the head.

[ It's said like a dark-humored joke. And he's clearly waiting to see what Akechi has to say about it. ]

[ Oh. That's...

Actually, Akechi is having a hard time thinking of a worse memory for Akira to have seen. Maybe Wakaba Isshiki's death, and he's not sure that would be worse by much. Akira's plainly waiting for him to say something, but Akechi isn't sure how to reply. Even now he's not about to apologize, especially not when--

Wait a minute, maybe that's why Akira wants to talk to him. If the last thing he remembers is the interrogation and not, say, escaping from the police department, then there's no way he knows if their plan actually worked. ]

Your cognitive double, actually.

[ His tone is steady, neither defensive nor imploring. The apprehensive expression slides away, too. He feels more composed now that he knows what to expect. ]

Not that I had any idea. It was weeks before I realized what had happened.

[ Slowly, his shoulders lower a little... Funny, he hadn't even realized how raised they were. Knowing the plan was one thing, but hearing those words said by Akechi...

Heh, weird how much comfort that brings. Weird and yet not all that surprising, in a way. They aren't exactly on the best of terms, but this is something he feels confident he can believe. He glances away, falling quiet for a few seconds. There are so many things he could say to this, but nothing feels right as a response. So... ]

Your turn.

[ When in doubt, just keep moving forward. ]

[ That's it?

Probably not, actually. Akira's a hard one to read, as usual, but even though he seems relieved with just that news Akechi doubts it's the last he has to say. He'll just have to wait a while to see the rest, apparently. ]

I saw you and Sakamoto-kun in the Metaverse, the first time you encountered Kamoshida in his Palace.

[ He doesn't bother with any qualifying statements like 'seems' or 'I believe'. There's absolutely nothing else it could have been. ]

I hadn't realized you weren't alone when your Persona awakened.

[ He's actually kind of jealous (more so than he usually is of Akira). Just how did Akira manage to stumble across an ally that early into things...? ]

[ So far from being it...

Akechi's right in assuming there's more to be said later. But... huh. He'd been expecting - bracing himself for - worse... There's actually a touch of surprise on his face. ]

Oh...

[ He could almost laugh, he thinks. Almost. Remembering that moment has his expression softening a touch as he lowers his gaze. That feels like a very specific thing to bring up...

There's a considerable pause this time. ]

... I wouldn't have Awakened if I'd been alone.

[ That much he's positive of. Why he's admitting that, though...? That much he isn't entirely sure of. He pauses briefly before saying the next thing. ]

I wouldn't be alive now if I'd ever been alone.

[ He wouldn't be alive if he'd been alone, huh? That sounds like the exact sort of 'power of friendship' Akechi has come to expect of Akira, but...

Well, only one of them had left Shido's Palace alive. There's still that familiar spark of contempt in Akechi's heart, but it's not as bright as usual and burns out in an instant. He can hardly scoff at the idea when the point had been proven so violently. ]

That's no surprise, coming from you.

[ Akechi leans forward, propping his chin in his hand. He studies Akira without trying to hide the fact, expression contemplative. ]

That last time we spoke - before I arrived here - you told me something similar. That your friends are how you'd gotten so far and achieved so much.

[ He bites back the urge to say Akechi could take a picture - it'd last longer. By all appearances, he isn't remotely bothered by being studied so closely. Just the opposite. He gives a dim smirk that's only the ghost of something Joker might wear. ]

And it's true.

[ There's a brief moment where he holds a blink, his mind dwelling on the last time he saw them... And it feels like so long ago, already. ]

... You still haven't told me what happened during that encounter.

[ Yup, just what he expected. Akechi's expression slides towards exasperation for a moment before he gets it under control again.

The next 'question' is no surprise, either. Akechi has been waiting for him to bring it up, and he already knows what he's intending to say in response. ]

I mentioned the name Shido when you first arrived here. That's the man at the head of the conspiracy I was working as a part of.

[ Hopefully Akira's already figured out that Akechi wasn't working alone. He'll explain if he has to, but he'd rather not get sidetracked.

(The fact that he is so willing to explain, and the oddity of doing so, is lost on him for the moment). ]

At some point, you discovered his identity and infiltrated his Palace. Shortly after that, I started to think there was something odd about the circumstance surrounding your 'death'. When Shido's behavior in reality became erratic, I realized what was happening and confronted all of you in his Palace.

[ Akechi pauses to take another sip of coffee, using it as an (obvious, most likely) excuse to gather his thoughts. He already knows what he's intending to say, but he thinks it'll be obvious he's holding a few things back. Besides, not a single plan of his has ever survived contact with Akira. He has no reason to expect that to change now. ]

We argued. You tried to convince me to side with you, but I wasn't interested. So we fought, and I lost. You tried to convince me again, and... that's the last thing I remember.

[ His lips press together tightly as he listens, and then he holds a blink for a couple of seconds. There's a lot to think about here, even more to ask about. Finally, he lets out a sigh and nods. ]

And what was your goal?

[ Now he's studying Akechi about as closely as he was being studied a little bit ago. ]

What was the real reason for everything you did?

[ Well, Akira isn't rejecting his version of events and isn't asking any of the more uncomfortable questions. Akechi will take it. ]

I told you before that my mother fell in with a contemptible man, only to be abandoned and left to raise me on her own.

[ And how those circumstances had eventually lead to her suicide, though he doesn't repeat that. He has no doubt that Akira remembers. He's much calmer talking about it now than he was last time (for him), which only means he's hit the same level of calm-but-melancholy that normally comes when he discusses his past. ]

That man was was Masayoshi Shido. It's quite the scandal for such a high level politician to have a bastard child, no?

[ He tries to go for a light, almost joking tone, but it falls a little flat this time. He doesn't dwell on it. ]

I wanted to make myself indispensable to his plans, wait until he had reached the top, and then reveal who I really was. I thought it would have left him paralyzed with anxiety, knowing that ruin was just a few words again.

[ The use of 'thought' is quite deliberate. ]

So I wasn't motivated by anything as high-minded as justice or societal reform. I only wanted my father to suffer as much as we had.

[ Ah . . . there is it. The answer he'd been wanting, but unable to get. It would have been too risky to try reaching out the way he'd really wanted to, and his teammates are far more important to him than that.

There's a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach as he lets the information sink in. And, though he manages to keep his expression calm and steady, his gaze shifts between anger and understanding. ]

Revenge.

[ So, it was that - he doesn't even think to himself that it was as "simple" as that, because what about revenge is simple...? From what he's seen of it, it's a hard path full of pain and suffering for all people involved - including the one trying to get it. He studies Akechi for a long while... ]

... Do you know why we started out?

[ There's a dim smile as he leans forward, lightly resting his chin against his hands, fingers loosely curled as there's a brief distance to his gaze. ]

It wasn't to save society, at first. We wanted Kamoshida to pay for hurting everyone. I wanted him to feel the weight of everything he'd done. Morgana told us, in the beginning, that there was a risk of him dying...

[ He glances away. He's quiet for a few seconds, and then he looks back to Akechi. ]

... The only reason Kamoshida is still alive is because one of us decided that suffering was what he deserved more.

[ Akechi is aware that the Phantom Thieves started with Kamoshida, and he even suspected that they were acting in their own interests. This is the first he's really heard anything about their thought process at the time. In a way, it's also not surprising. Ryuji in particular jumps to mind as someone that might take that sort of measure without thinking it thought. But the way Akira words it... ]

'We're not so different' - is that what you're trying to say?

[ Akechi doubts it, but he'd like to hear it straight from the source before he continues. It's faint, but there's something both chagrined and bordering on amused in his expression as he waits for Akira's answer. He himself had insisted on something very similar during their fight in Shido's Palace, but hearing it coming from the other direction feels wrong. ]

Edited 2020-04-17 06:24 (UTC)

[ He smirks faintly, rubbing at the back of his neck as he thinks that over for a moment. ]

Maybe.

[ Some tiny part of him wants to insist that there's no way that's true, but that would be a lie. In his darkest moments, he's had some pretty messed up thoughts and he can't say for sure how he would have been in Akechi's shoes. He can't truthfully deny that there's a chance he would want to make a man suffer for hurting his mom. But... at the same time... ]

I didn't go through the same things you did. [ holding a blink, and then shaking his head ] But... I can't say, for sure, I'd never want anything like that.

[ He can't help wondering how the PTs would feel hearing something like that out of his mouth. He knows they'd still have his back... but...

There's a quiet sigh as he fidgets with his bangs. He's been sighing a lot more since he got here... ]

I'll let you in on a secret, though. [ dim smirk ] I don't think anyone should want to be similar to me.

[ It makes sense, if Akechi takes the time to think about it. Even knowing the full extent of what he did, the Phantom Thieves had been willing to give him a chance last time. Even the ones with the best reasons not to, like Futaba and Haru. So of course Akira would be willing to try to find common ground between them now, when the situation is less heated and Akechi's most recent murder attempt wasn't just a few moments ago.

Still... Akechi doesn't like it. It feels too much like pity, and while his mood is currently stable enough that such a thing doesn't immediately enrage him he still doesn't like it. ]

I doubt anyone who knows you agrees. Do you think Sakamoto-kun would have survived if you weren't there?

[ Akechi doesn't wait for an answer. He already knows what the truth is. ]

You say you could have followed a path similar to mine. I won't tell you that's not possible... but that's not what happened, and I never could have followed your path instead.

[ He lifts his eyebrows. ]

In my defense, I did use the word maybe, detective.

[ There's a sigh as he leans back in his seat, tilting his head at Akechi. ]

And, don't get me wrong: you've done some awful things that I think you should pay for.

[ Not that he knows everything Akechi's done - but even just attempted murder would be pretty bad on its own. Also, he isn't going to argue beyond that initial statement. He agrees that the hypotheticals are nothing more than that: hypothetical. They never happened and they never will. Daydreaming about what could have been can only leave room for more regret, in cases like this. But... all the same, there are things that could change, could improve. ]

For the record, I never wanted to become enemies. [ anger about some things aside ] Though, what I want isn't all that matters in a case like that.

[ It clicks for Akechi at that moment: Akira doesn't know everything he's done. The Phantom Thieves already know about the mental shutdowns, but he remembers their shock at realizes the psychotic breakdowns were his doing as well.

This is such a paint in the ass. Why can't Akira just know all of this already? Akechi keeps the irritation out of his expression, but only barely. ]

I never gave you much of a choice in the matter. I was responsible for the psychotic breakdown cases, as well, and I'm the one that pushed Sae-san towards seeing the similarities between those incidents and the changes of heart.

[ He may as well put everything out there. If he's going to talk to Akira like this, he wants the dialogue to be as honest as possible. And speaking of honest... well, he can hear the implicit question in Akira's last statement. He hasn't forgotten how their last conversation went, and his opinion since then hasn't changed. ]

... But that was the wrong decision. You made a better rival than an outright enemy.

[ His eyes widen briefly. Ah...

... It makes so much more sense, having that last piece, though. A... painful amount of sense if he's being perfectly honest. He hates this, but he can't deny that learning it is better than remaining in the dark. And he can't deny that he's glad to have more of the pieces to work with.

After a couple of seconds, he nods. ]

We can't change what happened back there.

[ For either of them, even with one of them being from earlier than the other. ]

But we aren't there now.

[ He twists a strand of bangs, gaze resting on Akechi. ]

'Rivals' sounds more fun, anyway.

[monster mash reference here]

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