middaeg | wanted to fight this war without weapons

Entry tags:

p5: akira kurusu

wanted to fight this war without weapons

Who: Akira and YOU (4th Wall characters welcome, but please contact me first!)
When: Maiuril Catchall!
Where: Any location names will be bolded.
What: Various
Warnings: See subject lines; N/A for now.

[ For the most part, finding Akira throughout this month will be a combination of difficult and ridiculously simple. In a lot of ways, he's getting stretched thin, so he's moving a lot more often, visiting more people... which might be a slight problem, given how much worse he's feeling this month, than the last.

While his strength is more, his stamina is far less, so one of the reasons for him being easily found could be... that. Him leaning against the side of a building, glaring sharply at the ground. Or him outright sitting on the ground, staring exasperatedly into the middle distance. It's fine, he lives here now...

People new to this world might have trouble noticing a difference, but he's far paler than he was when he first arrived. There are some dark circles under his eyes, and... frankly? He looks outright sick - like he should be ready to collapse any second.

It could be worse, he thinks. This is after forming a Bond with Akechi, and he can only imagine how much worse he'd be feeling without that... Sigh.

Some places to find him include, but aren't limited to: Hiccup's Forge (he cleans there), the occasional cafe, or "dramatically" flopped on some bench or against a random wall (for a short break).

If he makes it look ridiculous, after all, it's harder to tell how horrible he feels. ]

(( If you'd like something in particular, hit me up at

skiesonfire ))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Will be going under here as I make them. ]

[ ... Hoo boy.

While having Akechi helps - a lot, honestly - he would be lying if he said it didn't still somehow feel worse than last month. Especially given the start of the day, when he suddenly wakes up, barely able to suppress the urge to scream. His entire body feels like it's rejecting him being in his own bed. Just barely, he manages to drag himself over to the window, force it open, and collapse through it. After that, he just curls up and waits for that feeling to ease away completely. And the laugh that slips out is pretty tense as he slowly wipes at his face. Oh fun... blood. Way to keep it old school.

Anyone standing nearby will get a small wave. ]

Morning. Just thought I'd go for some fresh air...

[ Sure, Akira.

It's later on, the need to feed is considerably stronger than last month, so he finds himself reaching out to those he knows might be willing to, ah... donate. He won't be taking much from each person - he's thinking it'll be better to space this kind of thing out, where he can. No repeat of the Akechi incident, thanks. ]

[Bailey is used to coming home to vampires up to something strange. Living with Felix was always an adventure, and Jongdae and Akira...

Well. They’re not that bad or strange, admittedly, but they’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. And tonight it seems like that shoe has.

They blink at Akira.]

So you went through the window?

[They press their lips together.]

You alright? You’re bleeding.

[ He slowly moves to sit up. ]

It felt like the faster route.

[ Great explanation, Akira. But after wiping at his face a little more, he breathes out a quiet sigh and slowly nods. ]

Better now that I'm out of there...? [ ... ] I think another change happened. Mind coming with me to test a theory?

Right...

[They press their lips together, trying to remember everything they know about vampires. They know quite a bit from Felix, having known them for so long, but...

There's no guarantee that the vampires they're familiar with are anything like the vampires here.]

Sure. What do you need me to do?

Nothing too difficult. I just need you to be there when I try going through the door.

[ Since... he has a feeling he won't be going through the door without help. ]

Okay. Lead the way, then.

[They will follow you...! To the ends of the earth!]

[ Thank you, Bailey, for being wonderful.

He leads him to the door and... opens it, only to find that being as far as it can get without discomfort, right off the bat (har har). ]

... Great. Looks like it's what I thought it is. [ resisting the urge to grumble ] Haven't even gone through the full changes and I'm already magically kicked out.

[ Now he's sighing and turning towards Bailey. ]

Mind inviting me in?

[Brooke is just getting a drink when she turns around and knocks into Akira. She squeaks, her drink spilling over them both, and she just stands there looking kind of shocked for a moment before she really notices that the guy she's bumped into looks really, really sick.]

Oh my god, are you like, dying or something?

[She has no idea how accurate she is. And she doesn't mean it in a bad way, she's clearly very concerned.]

[ He blinks, eyebrows shooting up.

... And staying up when he's asked that question. There are a few responses he could give to this, some reassurance, maybe? She does seem genuinely worried. But with how he's feeling... ]

Aren't we all?

[ It's such a deadpan (heh) response that it should be clear he's trying to brush the whole thing off. ]

I feel fine...

[Whooooosh.]

I mean, I feel kinda weird having magic, but it's kinda cool too, you know?

[She grins, giddy for a moment before containing it.]

Um, I'm Brooke. And I'm sorry for spilling my drink on you. And saying you look dead.

[ Oh no... He can't help the small smile. Then he's shaking his head. ]

It's not the worst thing to happen to me. Annnnd I'm not surprised I look dead.

[ He almost literally shrugs it off. ]

Since I'm apparently turning into a vampire, and all.

[ Then he nods. ]

Nice to meet you. I'm Akira.

Edited 2020-05-21 23:54 (UTC)

A Vampire? Oh man, Halloween would be a breeze for you though!

[She nods seriously at the name, though.]

Akita. Like the dog.

[Got it.]

I guess you do kinda look like a puppy... a Vampire puppy.

[She ruffles his hair, grinning.]

[ Oh my god? He actually laughs. ]

I guess it would be. But, I'd want to mix it up for Halloween and go dressed as a human.

[ Sagely nod! And then he snorts at the name... but... doesn't correct her. Instead, he just gives her a small smile. ]

I guess I'll just have to change my network handle to "vam-pup" as soon as I get the chance. Originally, I was considering "vam-purr-ista" or something.

[ Yep, he's just sounding out each part. ]

Humans are so boring, though! And I don't think anyone would get it, anyway. You can't go to a party with a cool outfit if you're just dressed like a normal guy.

[Vampurrista... Brooke laughs too, giggling into her hand.]

That makes you sound like... a cat vampire who serves coffee, or something. Which would be undeniably cool.

What if I wore a shirt with "This is my Boring Human Disguise" painted on the front?

[ Victory! ]

Right? Clearly I'll just have to find a way to do both at some point.

[It has been a while since Connor last Bonded with someone. And the last person that was with was the SQUIP. It’s hard not to recall each Bond that was made here and subsequently broken— Justine and the SQUIP’s departures still manage to upset him, even now. But none of that shows on Connor’s face as he takes Akira’s hands to start the process. He seems as content as ever, if not a little bit muted since Niles attacked him and left L in hospital.]

We admittedly haven’t known each other long, but I feel a bond with you already. You feel like someone I want to protect, and I know if I needed your help you would be there with no questions asked. You’re reliable and capable, and I know you’re a good person, too.

[Which... his Bonds haven’t always been, but Connor has the impressive ability to see the good in almost anyone.]

I sincerely hope that I don’t let you down, as a Bond or a friend. Just know that you can always count on me to be there when you need me.

[It isn’t as long as his first vows were, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less sincere. He doesn’t want to let Akira down. He won’t fail him.]

[ After the first time of doing this, it's a little less awkward, at least. Or maybe it's just less awkward because this time it isn't with Akechi...

His expression actually softens a little at the vows this time, though. And then he smiles, the hint of something sheepish slipping through. He had something else in mind for a vow, but... he thinks he'll do this thing differently. Connor deserves something from the heart. ]

You're right about that, Connor. But I'm positive you won't ever let me down, and there's no way I won't do everything to make sure that goes both ways. Even though we haven't known each other very long, I can already tell you're somebody I can consider a friend.

Even before you knew my name, you were ready to help me and- [ ... ] that's more than I could say for most people I've come across.

[ In spite of that last part slipping into more than he wanted to go into, he still manages to smile. ]

Thank you for being here.

[He nods, a little acknowledgement of Akira's words as they're Bonded together by the Witches. Once it's done he lets go of Akira's hands, still smiling, but there's now that connection between them that shows he's hiding something that's upsetting him. He leads the way out of the circle first, but walks slow since he has every intention of sticking around Akira for a little while after this.]

You're Bonded to Akechi as well, yes?

[He glances over at him, enjoying the Bond that now surrounds them.]

[ That, unfortunately, makes the two of them, it would seem...

Although, without even a second's pause, he's moving fast enough to keep up, and then giving Connor a very clear look of concern - something that easily matches his feelings. Granted, the question has something... awkward surfacing. Just the mention of Akechi has conflicted feelings lurking beneath the surface, as well as some lingering guilt resurfacing. ]

Yep. It was my idea, originally. [ . . . ] I didn't like losing control and attacking him and he knows most of my secrets already. It's meant to be temporary, at least until I find another Witch.

[ ... funnily enough, he doesn't seem as sure as he sounds about the idea of it being temporary. But, after a pause... ]

What's wrong?

Why only temporary? Akechi is a Witch, after all.

[He's curious about the conflict that arises within Akira at the mention of Akechi, but he doesn't really get a chance to ask before Akira beats him to it. He sighs, but... he should trust his Bonded, and it's something Akira will probably hear about anyway if he runs in the same circles as Connor.]

A friend of mine left another friend in the hospital recently. They had been at odds with each other for a while- I thought I could help them, but there was nothing I could do in the end.

[Nothing he could do to stop Niles from maiming L, and nothing he could do to stop Niles from being forced to fake his own death.]

[There's this guy. He's lanky and kind of thin, with a shaggy haircut and round glasses that are too big for his face. He wouldn't stand out, except for the fact that Fugo keeps... spotting him. Being, if he's honest, kind of a weirdo.

When he stops by a cafe to scarf down a roll and a cup of (lackluster, but no one in Aefenglom knows how to make a proper espresso) coffee before class, Fugo first sees him draped facedown over a table in the corner. Which isn't so weird. And maybe he would have forgotten entirely about him, if he didn't spot him again, later that afternoon and out of the corner of his eye, leaning heavily against the wall of a building in a dark alleyway, glaring blankly at a broken bottle. And now. Just as the sun has begun to set, after losing track of time studying in the Coven's library, Fugo comes across This Guy for a third time, sitting balefully on somebody's lawn. He looks pretty terrible, like he's just a few moments from tipping over and passing out. It's uncomfortably familiar.

He could walk away. This really isn't his business. Even if it's not some elaborate ruse, no one would fault him. But, with a sigh, Fugo cracks his neck and walks over to get a better look at him.]

Most people stay home when they're sick. [He peers intently at him, brows knit together in a worried furrow.] Can you stand? I know some healing magic. I can help.

[ Oh... random person. He blinks up at them, expression tensing for a moment at the questions. Slowly, he moves to his feet, the hint of something sheepish in his expression before he shakes his head. ]

You should save your magic. [ a quiet 'heh' ] This is just Vampire transformation at its finest.

[ If there's the hint of something forced about those words, it's surely the stranger's imagination. He's totally fine just outing himself as a ~creature of the night~. ]

[Fugo steps back to give him the space to stand. He obviously doesn't buy the claim that he should save his magic; but when the vampirism comes out, a look of understanding crosses his face. All of the transformations seem terrifying, but dying slowly over the course of a few months-- it's just cruel.]

Abjuration isn't just about mending. Some of the first spells I learned were to help with pain and fatigue. [And then, by way of fatigue--] For a friend of mine. When I came here, he was in the middle of the same transformation.

I hope it helped your friend.

[ A look of understanding rests on his own face. He can imagine watching someone he cares about going through it—his housemate is a good guy and also going through this change. In a different way, but still... painful to see, all the same.

Not that it makes accepting help from a stranger any less difficult. Not just due to a lack of trust, but... he guesses he still has things to work out within himself. They do say there's no time like the present... ]

... If you're sure it won't be a problem, I don't mind.

It did, for a while. [At the end of the transformation, there's only so much magic can do. He and Zelda were both forced to accept that, in the last few days before Giorno passed away.] The further along the transformation is, the less effective healing magic is. Until... well. You know.

[Fugo holds his hands out, palms up. If this stranger really doesn't want the help, Fugo won't push it on him.]

It's not a problem. If it makes you feel any better, think of it as a favor that goes two ways. Practicing Witches, even if they have a Bond, need to use their magic. Otherwise it just builds up.

[ His lips thin a bit, but he nods and doesn't seem to find that too strange. It would make sense that it wouldn't do much for someone who's right a the end... heh.

Then he gives a small, understanding smile. ]

You've got a point there...

[ A glance to the side is the followup of that until he gives another nod. ]

Okay. Let's make a deal, then. I can be target practice for magic and you can keep me from being... this.

[ There's a small, wry smile as he gestures at all of himself. ]

[Fugo's eyebrows raise at the "target practice" quip. It's not the turn of phrase he'd use for this particular exchange, but...]

Yeah, sure. It's a deal. [He offers Akira his hand. They can shake on it, even.] I'm Fugo. What are your worst symptoms? Fatigue? Pain?

[ Pardon the humor on this one. The smile he gives at the eyebrow raise hopefully makes it clear he was joking, at least.

I am thou, thou art I--

He accepts the hand, grip faltering as he does his best to make sure it doesn't become something unpleasantly firm on his end - vampire strength, even while he's feeling like this, and all... ]

Akira Kurusu. [ oh... heh ] You... pretty much hit the nail on the head. And fatigue is the worst of those two.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

wanted to fight this war without weapons

Customized Prompts

Full Moon; OPEN, but please plot with me, first!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

at a cafe

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Bonding - after the full moons

a million years later...

no subject

10k years later I'm on the desktop this got tabbed on . . .

no subject

akira, go take a nap

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject