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[funnily enough, as those ten minutes tick by, Akira does idly wonder if Minato got lost. he is tempted to shoot his companion a text to see if he is okay, but before he can--]

Ah. I'm glad one of the ghosts didn't get to you.

[he doesn't seem bothered by Minato's tardiness! just amused]

Don't worry about it. Ready to head inside?

Ghosts?

[ He'd gathered there were some strange things going on, but "haunted" is a new one.

Minato's gaze lands on the front display of the diner. It's... jarring, honestly, seeing something that looks so normal. This food court could be straight out of Paulownia Mall, a total juxtaposition to that wild strip club he'd been accosted into a few days ago. ]

Yeah.

[ ... ]

...it's weird, seeing a place like this here.

[. . . has nobody told Minato about the ghosts?]

Mmm. The hotel is haunted. [he says that simply while giving Minato a curious look] Nobody mentioned it. . .?

[he supposes that part was a bit less important than. . . uh. everything else. but they can continue this conversation inside. Akira turns on his heel to enter the burger establishment, an amused huff tumbling from his lips]

It feels out of place because it's so ordinary, right?

[ Nope!! Only the basement bugs and monsters. ]

Oh.

[ Akira assumes correctly. The ghosts are just another eccentricity of the House, just a little more flavor text for its Everything. Not that there was much that fazed Minato, but given how bizarre the place was right out of the gate... At this point, everything is just cumulative.

He shakes his head. ]

No. Just the giant bugs and monsters.

[ Minato trails after Akira. The diner's decorated in a cheery red and white color scheme, brightly lit and inviting. A vinyl decal of a robin wearing a burger hat decorates one of the walls -- the joint's likely mascot.

There are several empty booths throughout the diner. Minato glances over at Akira with a tacit request: come on, Akira. Pick one for them. ]

[instead of choosing a booth, Akira makes his way towards. . . ! the take-out line? hm!]

The ones in the basement, right? [a beat. a wrinkled nose] I haven't come across any yet.

[granted, he has only been here about two and a half. . . going on three months. another beat follows]

By "giant bugs" do you mean. . . huge mosquitos, or "the monsters are giant bugs?"

[ Minato casts Akira a curious look. Why the take-out line...? But not one to argue or question, he trails after his current companion. ]

Yeah, the ones in the basement.

[ As for the second question... ]

...probably the latter.

[ The giant bugs were mentioned alongside the monsters, so they were probably equivalent menaces. Also they were apparently venomous?? Watch out, Akira... ]

[a small sigh]

Probably the latter.

[it was a silly question and he knows it]

Mmm, well. After fighting Shadows in the cognitive world, I think giant bugs may be child's play.

[the grin he flashes Minato is supposed to be reassuring]

So I won't worry too much.

[it's their turn at the take-out counter! order up, senpai]

[ It sure was. He wouldn't put it past this place to throw giant mosquitos into the mix too, not because he's Seen Some Shit, but because it seems like yet another absurd thing the House may decide to throw their way... ]

Mm, that's true.

[ ...a giant bug is probably way less scary than Erebus.

Enough about bugs. It's their turn to order; Minato requests the wildly adventurous option of a double cheese burger with the usual(tm) toppings and a side of fries. Water's fine too.

It's probably best to keep food simple in a place like this, just in case. ]

[enough about bugs, it'll ruin their appetite! Akira orders a more moderate burger with fries, along with some water to wash it down. in the end, he isn't much of a soda person, fast food or not]

This place is pretty nice, but I'd like to eat somewhere else.

[. . . a thoughtful hum]

It might be late in the season, but we should be able to catch the last of the sakura blossoms.

[ They'll both have to stand a little out of the line's way while awaiting their orders. It's just the two of them, which means the sidelong glance Minato gives Akira can't be mistaken for him looking at someone else. ]

...really?

[ There's a muted astonishment in the single word, Minato's eyes widening a bit at Akira's proposal too.

...a coincidence? Or, did Akira truly recall the way Minato's brow creased when he realized it was already spring, when the roads lined with cherry blossoms transformed into canopies of pastel pink? ]

[the smile Minato gets in return is pretty soft]

Really.

[Akira is quiet for a moment as he studies Minato's features, taking in that muted surprise. the conversation had stuck out so starkly in Akira's mind— as had their entire time on the island, actually- that certainly Minato doesn't think. . .]

I didn't forget.

[a promise is a promise, and Akira makes sure to keep his]

Edited (too much repetition ) 2025-04-11 21:08 (UTC)

[ Minato's gaze drifts downwards in thought after catching a glimpse of that fond smile. Not a coincidence; he'd remembered. He falls silent as it sets in, the fact that Akira recalled his earlier words. ]

...mm.

[ A strange sensation grips at his heart -- foreign, in the way that it makes it feel like it's leaping into his throat, like it might plant words upon the tip of his tongue to give life to the sudden staccato of his own pulse.

...it's not bad feeling though. ]

...yeah. Hopefully they're still in bloom.

[Akira is no mind reader, but there is something powerful about Minato's silence, about the way his eyes dip away when Akira smiles at him. and in that moment. . . Akira can't help but wonder if Minato hadn't expected him to follow through with a commitment made on the sandy beaches of a fake deserted island. he doesn't take offense to the notion, but rather. . .]

[he wonders if he and Minato are similar in that respect. used to doing things for others, and not having them done for them]

Tokyo's cherry blossom trees bloom the brightest in early April. I have faith.

[don't ask where that faith comes from, considering they are currently stuck in a world lightyears from Tokyo. but whatever! one of the burger joint workers drops two decorated paper bags onto the counter, and with a grateful nod, Akira scoops them up and hands the one labeled "double cheeseburger" to Minato]

Have you made your way to the gardens yet? Or will this be your first time?

[ Minato not expecting Akira to follow through with his commitment requires him to imagine that such an idea would actually cross Akira's mind. He's always been that way. People were free to do as they pleased, weren't they? And thus, the thought that someone would choose to spend that freedom on him: why?

...well, Akira's entitled to his own time too.

Minato accepts his own paper bag with both hands before shaking his head at his companion. ]

I haven't.

[ There's so much of resort he's yet to explore. ]

...haven't really gotten the chance to look around.

[ He's still one of the newer guests, even if it feels as though so much has already happened. ]

[the resort is impossibly huge, isn't it? so it comes as no surprise that Minato has yet to make his way up to the gardens. that means Akira gets to be the first one to take him there, doesn't it? something about that feels. . . special, in a way Akira can't yet describe, even as the thought sends his heart pitter-pattering gently against his ribs]

The gardens, the Vale, and the Conservatory are the only places here that really feel like the outdoors.

[a nod of his head, and Akira guides Minato out of the burger shop and towards the main elevators]

. . . nothing beats the real sun, of course. . . but it helps.

[a small exhale]

Just a little bit.

[?? helps with what??]

[ He supposes it's nice to have something that simulated the outdoors. Being out in the sun was generally considered a healthy thing, and surely the House wished to ensure its guests were in optimal condition?

Minato trails after Akira, listening to what he has to share. Even if it's his natural state of being, it's... nice, hearing the other wildcard's thoughts. ]

Guess if you're here long enough, you risk forgetting what it's like.

[ Not that it's of any concern to him. Relinquishing the sensation of gentle spring sunlight's rays -- that's something he'd already come to accept. ]

Does this place have day and night cycles?

[ The sun is one thing, but it'd be a shame to never see the full moon again. ]

[THE HOUSE SAID "YOU CAN'T BANG WITHOUT YOUR DAILY DOSE OF VITAMIN D--"]

It does. In the same 24-hour increments.

[comes Akira's easy response, and his expression grows a bit wistful. he, too, was more of a night person than a day person, and he has already combed his way through the gardens during their most beautiful time of the day]

. . . one day, we'll visit the garden at night, too. It's an entirely different experience.

Edited 2025-04-12 03:39 (UTC)

[ Listen. Something something the lack of sunlight correlating with seasonal depression, anhedonia, and a general downswing of libido... ]

Mm. Even if it didn't, I guess we'd still tell time based on our watches.

[ Not that he's ungrateful to hear there's some sense of normalcy in this place.

Minato cants his head at Akira. Another unprompted invitation? If that's what would please Akira, who was he to say no? And in any event, maybe it'd be nice to spend a little more time with him. ]

...okay. I'll be expecting you someday.

[more arguments for why there needs to be an ACTUAL OUTDOOR SPACE. . .]

Yeah. But it wouldn't be the same.

[nothing beats the open sky, whether it's illuminated by sun or moon, and watching as the two celestial bodies sink and rise beyond the horizon in an endless cycle. . .]

[ah. that's way too poetic]

It's another promise. [why does making future plans make him feel more at ease. . .? certainly he isn't still a bit skittish over what happened when he was released from that VR pod. . .] For now, let's enjoy--

[the elevators open. . . and a voice instantly echoes from within]

[Ooooooh, la la~ What a beautiful pair you are! Come on now, give me a little kiss before you go, it's been soooooo long since I've seen a~ny action in here!]

[a painting hanging from the far wall is. . . talking to them. it's a portrait of a lovely young lady with blonde curls, and she is eyeing them both with nothing but eager interest]

[Akira doesn't even respond. he just turns on his heel and immediately walks to the next elevator over]

[ One by one they accumulate little goals, a humble list containing all the things they must see. It's not so bad spending his time like this, and it's been awhile since Minato's truly had anything to look forward to. What is there to anticipate when one knows their days are limited?

The elevator doors open and a sultry voice rings out. It brings Minato's earlier thoughts to an abrupt end, glancing around to identify the source of the comments. It's... a painting?

Maybe this was one of the "ghosts" Akira mentioned? Whatever it is, it doesn't faze the other wildcard at all. It doesn't look like this is something Minato needs to devote any attention to. He'll turn on his heel as well and head for the next elevator over. ]

...that painting -- was that one of the ghosts?

Mmmyep.

[Hey! Don't goooooo! A girl can get sooooo lonely in here!! Aaaaaaaaah!]

[the voice grows more distant the further they walk away, until eventually the elevator doors slide shut, cutting off her pitiful moans]

Charming, wasn't she?

[is two months really long enough to desensitize a guy. . .? at any rate, Akira seems perfectly unfazed as he presses the up button on a new elevator. hopefully this one does not come with any unwanted ghostly features]

Oh.

[ Well... all things considered, haunted paintings isn't the weirdest thing Minato's come across. If anything, the strangest aspect of that encounter is the fact that it's concrete proof showing ghosts are real. ]

...that's too bad if she's trapped in the painting.

[ It must be lonely. And also frustrating, being unable to walk around and pursue said action. ]

[. . . out of all the things Minato could have said. . . that one surprises Akira the most. his features grow slack, brows vanishing beneath his hairline, as he gives his companion a curious look]

[. . .]

[slowly. . . thoughtfully. . .]

. . . huh.

I suppose she probably does get lonely.

[ The surprised expression doesn't slip past Minato. Was it truly such a strange thing to say? Though he won't comment directly on it, he'll nod in response to Akira's musings. ]

Yeah.

[ Even ghosts need enrichment!! But also, ]

...are they all like that?

[ Not that he doesn't anticipate the answer will be "yes," given the nature of the resort. ]

[[honestly? it's not that strange in hindsight. Akira disdain for the resort extended to far more than its heavy-handed attempts at encouraging physical intimacy. the staff, the long-standing guests, the ghosts that haunted its walls. . . in his mind, they could all burn to the ground alongside the building in which they lived. he never once gave thought to the feelings and emotions of any member of those groups]

[. . . at least. . . not until now. not until Minato mentions it, like consideration for the lewd, overly familiar and overly horny haunts of the hotel was the most natural thing in the world]

[. . .]

[it doesn't change how Akira feels. it doesn't change his ultimate goal. but. . . it does sober him a bit, his features softening. what would it be like to be nothing more than a restless spirit stuck in a sex resort. . .?]

That depends on what you mean by "like that." [he responds, tone quiet as the elevator doors slide open. there's no loud painting to greet them this time, and he slips inside with gaze distant, focused on a random spot in space while he collects his own thoughts] Lonely, or desperate to watch us "get it on?"

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