Screw what Akechi thinks. To him, the most direct and violent method is always the right answer, even when it's unnecessary.
[and he says that firmly, because as much as he and Akechi have been able to (sort of) mend bridges since arriving here. . . Akira still knows how Akechi works. still knows that Akechi's solutions are not always the best solutions]
[but even so. . .?]
I don't necessarily know if I agree, though. Asking for the red bell to talk to the house might just put it on notice of what we're planning even more than asking for the source directly will.
[if they ask for the source, at least they'd get it, right. . .? even if the house would attempt to sabotage their efforts]
But--
[a breath out]
. . . I can't blame you for wanting to know "why." I do, too.
[Her expression, oddly enough, goes a little blank on the remarks about Akechi, as though she's not quite sure what to make of them. Her brow furrows, staying quiet until Akira moves on.]
I know. It's just a guessing game, so I... I guess it comes down to differences in approach, but...
It's why I originally intended to go alone. Before... before all of this happened, anyway, I thought it might not consider a single person as a threat. Now, though, I... I think that would be horribly unwise.
[There's a withdrawal in her body language, an expectation, like a child waiting to be slapped across the face.]
[Akira's brows raise when her expression goes blank, but she moves on quickly enough that he can't ask about it right away. he files it away, reminding himself to ask about it as soon as they're done talking about the house]
I'd like to go with you.
[she isn't asking him, but. . . Akira is making the request anyway]
[he has no reason to be upset!1 because while what Luna wants to do is dangerous. . . it's something that Akira was thinking about doing himself. and she also talked iwth him about it first, instead of diving headfirst into it all by herself. he'd be a hypocrite for getting upset over something like that, when he-- out of the two of them-- is the one who lost his leg]
[. . . he offers her a smile, chin tilted up, eyes bright]
Yeah.
[she did promise, didn't she? and it warms him from head to toe to hear her remembering it]
It'll be dangerous, but it's danger we have to face. It'll just be easier if we face it together.
A shy sort of delight takes over from underneath, a contentment that tries to lift the corners of her mouth, subtle and delicate. There's an awkwardness to it, as though she doesn't quite know what to do with whatever she's feeling, instead choosing to let her gaze fall back to her hands even as her smile only strengthens.]
I...
I'd like that, then.
If I had to put my trust in someone, and know that... I would be okay as long as they were by my side, then I... [There's a twist to her smile, an emotion that feels odd and new and out of place, that crinkles her eyes and makes that rush of pink flicker against her mask.]
[something about her saying that touches emotions that Akira still hasn't had time to think about yet. he sucks in a small inhale of breath, sharp and barely notable, before he lets it out slowly. it's fine. it'll be fine. so long as they tackle the danger together, they will be fine. right. . .?]
I won't.
[he made that mistake once! he won't do it again, if they intend to try and speak with the house]
[that's something Akira had assumed from the beginning. of course there will be consequences. of course the house is deceptive. of course it wouldn't be easy or smart.]
But if it helps us even the littlest bit, then. . . isn't it worth it?
Yes. I... I want to keep believing that. I just don't want it to affect the others negatively if we were to fail.
I do want to speak to Akechi about this as well. I... I know he will be frank about flaws, even if he's not necessarily kind about it. But I... I would really like his opinion.
He will be, but that kind of honesty isn't a bad thing.
[despite everything, Akira trusts Akechi's opinion. that blunt honesty is often correct, because Akechi is unsurprisingly sharp and perceptive]
It might be better for us to go in a group of three anyway, rather than just two of us. The more people we have to lean on if the house tries anything funny, the better.
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no subject
Screw what Akechi thinks. To him, the most direct and violent method is always the right answer, even when it's unnecessary.
[and he says that firmly, because as much as he and Akechi have been able to (sort of) mend bridges since arriving here. . . Akira still knows how Akechi works. still knows that Akechi's solutions are not always the best solutions]
[but even so. . .?]
I don't necessarily know if I agree, though. Asking for the red bell to talk to the house might just put it on notice of what we're planning even more than asking for the source directly will.
[if they ask for the source, at least they'd get it, right. . .? even if the house would attempt to sabotage their efforts]
But--
[a breath out]
. . . I can't blame you for wanting to know "why." I do, too.
no subject
I know. It's just a guessing game, so I... I guess it comes down to differences in approach, but...
It's why I originally intended to go alone. Before... before all of this happened, anyway, I thought it might not consider a single person as a threat. Now, though, I... I think that would be horribly unwise.
[There's a withdrawal in her body language, an expectation, like a child waiting to be slapped across the face.]
no subject
[Akira's brows raise when her expression goes blank, but she moves on quickly enough that he can't ask about it right away. he files it away, reminding himself to ask about it as soon as they're done talking about the house]
I'd like to go with you.
[she isn't asking him, but. . . Akira is making the request anyway]
Will you take me with you when you try?
no subject
...
It takes her a good long moment to unravel, looking at him with genuine surprise.]
I... [He would? She hadn't even asked, and...
...
Give her a minute as she fumbles through a few different expressions, her fingers nervously fidgeting as she tries to sort her words back out.]
I... um...
...
Only... only if I knew we could be safe. As safe as we could manage. I won't pretend doing this isn't just as dangerous as anything else, and I...
[Her words falter for a moment, finally looking back up at him with eyes that are soft, pooling with warmth but still oddly, brokenly uncertain.]
...I gave you a promise, didn't I?
no subject
[. . . he offers her a smile, chin tilted up, eyes bright]
Yeah.
[she did promise, didn't she? and it warms him from head to toe to hear her remembering it]
It'll be dangerous, but it's danger we have to face. It'll just be easier if we face it together.
no subject
A shy sort of delight takes over from underneath, a contentment that tries to lift the corners of her mouth, subtle and delicate. There's an awkwardness to it, as though she doesn't quite know what to do with whatever she's feeling, instead choosing to let her gaze fall back to her hands even as her smile only strengthens.]
I...
I'd like that, then.
If I had to put my trust in someone, and know that... I would be okay as long as they were by my side, then I... [There's a twist to her smile, an emotion that feels odd and new and out of place, that crinkles her eyes and makes that rush of pink flicker against her mask.]
...I-I'm glad it could be you, Akira.
[A beat. She considers, then sheepishly adds:]
Don't... don't forget your skull this time, okay?
no subject
I won't.
[he made that mistake once! he won't do it again, if they intend to try and speak with the house]
One lost leg is more than enough for me.
[he keeps his tone light as he says that, too]
no subject
...Blue said that this will have consequences. The house will be deceptive. They... didn't think it was entirely wise to do this.
no subject
[that's something Akira had assumed from the beginning. of course there will be consequences. of course the house is deceptive. of course it wouldn't be easy or smart.]
But if it helps us even the littlest bit, then. . . isn't it worth it?
no subject
I do want to speak to Akechi about this as well. I... I know he will be frank about flaws, even if he's not necessarily kind about it. But I... I would really like his opinion.
no subject
[despite everything, Akira trusts Akechi's opinion. that blunt honesty is often correct, because Akechi is unsurprisingly sharp and perceptive]
It might be better for us to go in a group of three anyway, rather than just two of us. The more people we have to lean on if the house tries anything funny, the better.