[ When Akechi's Absol had suddenly started acting strange, Akechi had started to wonder. He's well aware of the fact that Absol can sense disasters before they come, so knowing that his Absol has been restless has been... well. It doesn't bode well. For a while he's been keeping an eye out for strange things happening--a change in the winds, maybe, a message on the network alerting everyone to some sort of emergency.
He doesn't expect it to come when he's in Goldenrod, though, stepping out of a cafe with a morning coffee in hand. He's started his gym challenge; he's here to challenge Whitney, and he plans on making quick work of the gym.
But when he sees a familiar head of disheveled hair, he very nearly drops the coffee in his hand. He's glad his Hattrem is tucked away inside her ball, otherwise he'd be in trouble. (His still-fading black eye is a reminder of the last time he'd gotten too worked up.) The Pokemon that does cause a fuss, though, is his Stufful, who has a predilection for popping out of her ball. She's squeaking incredibly loudly, enough to cause people to give him slightly concerned looks.
He pays them no mind, though; the only thing he sees is him. ]
[Johto is... strange, he's decided. It's not entirely a bad thing, of course, but it's certainly quite the change of pace.
... It's nice to be able to just take things slowly, really. His travels have taken him to Goldenrod eventually--not for a badge yet, just... checking the place out. And, proving that great minds think alike, he heads right for a cafe...
Just in time to spot someone coming out of it.
He comes to a stop when he spots Akechi, staring, completely frozen. His PokeGear slips from his hands, sending his Espurr to try and catch it with alarmed, squeaking meows and his Dartrix gently hoots with concern, nudging his trainer's side.
But Akira can barely pay any mind to that when he's pretty sure he's seeing a ghost.]
[ The hustle and bustle of Goldenrod is hard to ignore, but in this moment, it doesn't even register. It's like he has tunnel vision, like everything's sort of muffled and slowed and the only thing that exists is him. And for once, Akechi doesn't know what to say.
After all, the last time they'd seen each other, Akira and the Thieves had just thoroughly trounced him. And then--
No. He won't think about that right now. Akechi draws in a breath that's shockingly steady, and he regards Akira with a sharp look. ]
Well, now I understand why my Absol was so concerned.
[ It's-- it's not the most biting remark he could make, but it says enough. Especially if Akira knows about Absol's disaster sense. ]
[Even after Akechi speaks, it's still a long few moments before Akira can find his voice to reply. And when he does... when he does, his voice is uncharacteristically small.]
... I guess this does qualify as some kinda disaster, huh.
[Not a question, a statement. Akira's not really sure what his heart and stomach are doing right now, but they both need to stop.]
Long time no see.
[... It's said a bit weakly, but at least his voice is even.]
[ Ah. Of course he'd know. Akechi's hand tightens around the cup he's holding, and he lets out a breath. At his feet, his Stufful whines and paws at him, and Akechi has half a mind to put her back in her ball. But he thinks she might just pop on back out. Still, he doesn't want to simply ignore her, so he holds out a hand and allows her to hop onto his arm, then climb up onto his shoulder.
Perhaps it would be cute if the situation weren't so horribly tense. ]
It's been several months since I arrived in this place, yes. [ His voice is tight. ] And for you?
[His Espurr tugs at his pant leg, and he takes a moment to scoop the Psychic-type up into his arms, taking the PokeGear back once he does. He puts it away, a bit slowly and deliberately.
... One would be forgiven for thinking he's stalling a bit on what he intends on saying next. Or maybe just trying to figure out his words. He inhales slowly before he speaks again... but he averts his gaze. He's not sure he can bring himself to look Akechi in the eye.]
It was March back home, before I was brought here.
[ He'd make a quip about cats, if this were any other situation. If this were anyone else but him. Akechi fixes him with a steely stare, more so when Akira tells him that. And then... he looks away, and he exhales. ]
March. That's quite some time. [ He looks at Akira again, mouth set in a hard line before he speaks. ] Well? Did you do what I requested?
[ He doesn't acknowledge that with his words, but... what he does do is relax his shoulders. Akechi closes his eyes for a brief moment. It's... strange. It feels less like a weight on his chest, but he won't admit that. Not now. Maybe not ever. But maybe he doesn't have to.
At the other part, however, he opens his eyes and... well. There's an unreadable expression on his face, but he gives an almost imperceptible nod of his head. ]
I have an apartment here. [ He catches himself, though. ] Unless you'd prefer somewhere less private.
[ Ah. There it is, that way he has of disarming Akechi. Their last meeting hadn't exactly been pleasant; Akechi had tried to kill all of them. And before that, well--
He doesn't exactly know what to say. So he gives his Stufful a pat, and she lets out a vaguely distressed squeak in spite of the attempted reassurance. And he decides, if he doesn't know what to say, he won't acknowledge it outright--not more than he has already, anyway. ]
Follow me, then.
[ And he starts to lead Akira to his place. It's actually quite nice, if a little small--then again, he doesn't need a terribly big place. But it's very much Akechi, with trendy decorations. Very stylish, but it seems... not terribly lived-in. Huh.
He does have a coffee maker. Akechi sets his own coffee aside and glances at Akira. ]
[He at least didn't expect it to go acknowledged. But, you know, he had to get it out there.
(Espurr, in the meantime, is offering the Stufful a sympathetic mew. Why are they like this.)
He returns Dartrix to his ball before following Akechi, quiet the whole way there. He can't say he's especially surprised by the apartment when they get there--he honestly expected the trendy decorations and he's not terribly shocked at how... un-lived-in the place looks. The offer of coffee gets Akira to perk up a bit and he nods, smiling.]
[ (Stufful, for her part, relates to Espurr. Mood, Espurr.)
Akechi goes on to set up the coffee, and as he does, he motions to the sofa. ]
You can take a seat if you'd like.
[ He, however, makes absolutely no move to go over himself. He does seem pretty restless. It's unusual to have company; usually, he goes elsewhere to meet up with others. Having Akira here, it-- it makes him feel vulnerable in a way that makes him feel also very unsteady.
Regardless if Akira sits down or not, he'll speak again-- ]
[ As much as Stufful wants to keep close to her trainer... well, there's a new friend! So she joins Espurr on the sofa and paws at her. It's very cute, but Akechi pays it no mind. ]
Let's start with Shido.
[ It's pretty incredible how much hatred he injects into the name. ]
[Espurr squeaks happily and paws back at Stufful. It's adorable and Akira can't help but smile a bit at the sight before he turns his attention back to the conversation.
... And, well, his sneer at the mention of the name... isn't especially subtle.]
He's rotting in a prison right about now back home, presumably with his guilt eating him alive. Pretty damn satisfying to make sure of it, too, since he was why I was on probation in the first place.
[... But that last part's new information for Akechi, isn't it?]
[ Two things--one surprising, the other less so. While Akechi would have loved to end Shido's life, he supposes being thrown in jail isn't... terrible. Not ideal, as far as he's concerned, but he didn't expect the Thieves to kill him. That's not how they operate, after all. It doesn't surprise him in the least that they chose an option with some measure of mercy, no matter how inconsequential.
Akechi hopes that guilt never stops crushing him.
What does surprise him is-- ]
... Incredible. [ That's what he says at first after a very long silence. ] He ruined both of our lives, didn't he? I'd never have thought.
[It's cute how Akechi thinks letting Shido live was an act of mercy.]
I guess it really was fate that brought us together, huh? [He closes his eyes and sighs, leaning back.] He's... paying for everything he did. To all of us.
[Him, Akechi, Haru, Futaba... everyone Shido's actions affected.
He pauses, debating whether or not to say this next bit, but... might as well get it out there now.]
Took longer than I would've liked to get things to stick, but... I personally made sure it did.
[ He's quiet for a little while. The coffee is finished, and Akechi's made sure to use only the best beans--the same as the ones he gifted Haru back during Christmas--so it smells especially exquisite. He pours the coffee, one cup for each, then makes his way over to Akira to set one cup in front of him.
And then he pauses. And he considers something. It really seems like he's overthinking something, which is not new, and in the end he chooses to sit opposite Akira in an armchair. His Stufful gives Espurr a little forehead boop, then scampers over to jump into her trainer's lap. ]
You've always been very reliable, so I'm not particularly surprised.
[ Ah, that's almost gratitude. His voice also very nearly teeters on the edge of softness, too, but he pulls back on that just enough that he could claim Akira's just imagining things. ]
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akira: i wanna be the very best
He doesn't expect it to come when he's in Goldenrod, though, stepping out of a cafe with a morning coffee in hand. He's started his gym challenge; he's here to challenge Whitney, and he plans on making quick work of the gym.
But when he sees a familiar head of disheveled hair, he very nearly drops the coffee in his hand. He's glad his Hattrem is tucked away inside her ball, otherwise he'd be in trouble. (His still-fading black eye is a reminder of the last time he'd gotten too worked up.) The Pokemon that does cause a fuss, though, is his Stufful, who has a predilection for popping out of her ball. She's squeaking incredibly loudly, enough to cause people to give him slightly concerned looks.
He pays them no mind, though; the only thing he sees is him. ]
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... It's nice to be able to just take things slowly, really. His travels have taken him to Goldenrod eventually--not for a badge yet, just... checking the place out. And, proving that great minds think alike, he heads right for a cafe...
Just in time to spot someone coming out of it.
He comes to a stop when he spots Akechi, staring, completely frozen. His PokeGear slips from his hands, sending his Espurr to try and catch it with alarmed, squeaking meows and his Dartrix gently hoots with concern, nudging his trainer's side.
But Akira can barely pay any mind to that when he's pretty sure he's seeing a ghost.]
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After all, the last time they'd seen each other, Akira and the Thieves had just thoroughly trounced him. And then--
No. He won't think about that right now. Akechi draws in a breath that's shockingly steady, and he regards Akira with a sharp look. ]
Well, now I understand why my Absol was so concerned.
[ It's-- it's not the most biting remark he could make, but it says enough. Especially if Akira knows about Absol's disaster sense. ]
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... I guess this does qualify as some kinda disaster, huh.
[Not a question, a statement. Akira's not really sure what his heart and stomach are doing right now, but they both need to stop.]
Long time no see.
[... It's said a bit weakly, but at least his voice is even.]
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Perhaps it would be cute if the situation weren't so horribly tense. ]
It's been several months since I arrived in this place, yes. [ His voice is tight. ] And for you?
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[His Espurr tugs at his pant leg, and he takes a moment to scoop the Psychic-type up into his arms, taking the PokeGear back once he does. He puts it away, a bit slowly and deliberately.
... One would be forgiven for thinking he's stalling a bit on what he intends on saying next. Or maybe just trying to figure out his words. He inhales slowly before he speaks again... but he averts his gaze. He's not sure he can bring himself to look Akechi in the eye.]
It was March back home, before I was brought here.
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March. That's quite some time. [ He looks at Akira again, mouth set in a hard line before he speaks. ] Well? Did you do what I requested?
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Of course I did. I gave my word, didn't I?
[He lets his gaze linger for a bit more before he closes his eyes and sighs.]
... We should go sit down and... and actually talk about this, I think.
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At the other part, however, he opens his eyes and... well. There's an unreadable expression on his face, but he gives an almost imperceptible nod of his head. ]
I have an apartment here. [ He catches himself, though. ] Unless you'd prefer somewhere less private.
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[He shifts his Espurr to one arm before reaching up to scratch the back of his head.]
And... hey, for what it's worth... I'm glad to see you again.
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He doesn't exactly know what to say. So he gives his Stufful a pat, and she lets out a vaguely distressed squeak in spite of the attempted reassurance. And he decides, if he doesn't know what to say, he won't acknowledge it outright--not more than he has already, anyway. ]
Follow me, then.
[ And he starts to lead Akira to his place. It's actually quite nice, if a little small--then again, he doesn't need a terribly big place. But it's very much Akechi, with trendy decorations. Very stylish, but it seems... not terribly lived-in. Huh.
He does have a coffee maker. Akechi sets his own coffee aside and glances at Akira. ]
Shall I put on a pot?
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(Espurr, in the meantime, is offering the Stufful a sympathetic mew. Why are they like this.)
He returns Dartrix to his ball before following Akechi, quiet the whole way there. He can't say he's especially surprised by the apartment when they get there--he honestly expected the trendy decorations and he's not terribly shocked at how... un-lived-in the place looks. The offer of coffee gets Akira to perk up a bit and he nods, smiling.]
... Yeah, that'd be nice.
[Hah. What a reversal.]
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Akechi goes on to set up the coffee, and as he does, he motions to the sofa. ]
You can take a seat if you'd like.
[ He, however, makes absolutely no move to go over himself. He does seem pretty restless. It's unusual to have company; usually, he goes elsewhere to meet up with others. Having Akira here, it-- it makes him feel vulnerable in a way that makes him feel also very unsteady.
Regardless if Akira sits down or not, he'll speak again-- ]
... Well. I suppose we have a bit to talk about.
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Akira folds his hands in his lap and remains quiet for a few moments after Akechi speaks.]
That we do... is there anywhere in particular you'd like to start?
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Let's start with Shido.
[ It's pretty incredible how much hatred he injects into the name. ]
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... And, well, his sneer at the mention of the name... isn't especially subtle.]
He's rotting in a prison right about now back home, presumably with his guilt eating him alive. Pretty damn satisfying to make sure of it, too, since he was why I was on probation in the first place.
[... But that last part's new information for Akechi, isn't it?]
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Akechi hopes that guilt never stops crushing him.
What does surprise him is-- ]
... Incredible. [ That's what he says at first after a very long silence. ] He ruined both of our lives, didn't he? I'd never have thought.
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I guess it really was fate that brought us together, huh? [He closes his eyes and sighs, leaning back.] He's... paying for everything he did. To all of us.
[Him, Akechi, Haru, Futaba... everyone Shido's actions affected.
He pauses, debating whether or not to say this next bit, but... might as well get it out there now.]
Took longer than I would've liked to get things to stick, but... I personally made sure it did.
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[ He's quiet for a little while. The coffee is finished, and Akechi's made sure to use only the best beans--the same as the ones he gifted Haru back during Christmas--so it smells especially exquisite. He pours the coffee, one cup for each, then makes his way over to Akira to set one cup in front of him.
And then he pauses. And he considers something. It really seems like he's overthinking something, which is not new, and in the end he chooses to sit opposite Akira in an armchair. His Stufful gives Espurr a little forehead boop, then scampers over to jump into her trainer's lap. ]
You've always been very reliable, so I'm not particularly surprised.
[ Ah, that's almost gratitude. His voice also very nearly teeters on the edge of softness, too, but he pulls back on that just enough that he could claim Akira's just imagining things. ]