maskormenacelogs | Have No Face To Show[Closed]

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Have No Face To Show[Closed]

WHO: Akira and Akechi
WHERE: Re: Cafe and then a sushi restaurant in Nonah
WHEN: June 14
WHAT: ~~a hot date~~ Akira and Akechi meet for coffee in the hope of starting over.
WARNINGS: Probable talking of past murders, otherwise none? Will update if necesasary

[Akira was nervous, in all honesty. He hadn't told anyone about this meeting. Not a single person, and so he had no backup. He was placing a lot of faith in Akechi. Not all of it though. Akira was armed, at the least, having managed to get hold of a knife similar to the one that he'd had as a Phantom Thief, but he didn't have gun. And his Persona wasn't that strong.

Oh well. Whatever happened would happen, and he would deal with it then.

Sighing to himself in order to calm his nerves, Akira simply looked through the coffee beans for the fifteen minutes prior to Akechi's arrival, trying to find something similar to the ones Akechi used to order at Leblanc. Upon finding something close enough, he turned around to watch the doors, the sun setting just outside. This was a bigger shop than Leblanc, but it wasn't exactly bustling at the least, so it was quiet enough for him to have some periods of downtime. Later in the evening most specifically.

With any luck it'd stay quiet while Akechi was here.]

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[ He wasn't prepared to actually see Akira again so soon as he walked into the cafe. Goro stood in the door for a moment, practically counting the seconds before he actually moves to make himself known.]

Good evening, Akira-kun.

[He made sure he was on time, sliding into a seat as he watches him carefully.

He looks comfortable here. He thinks to himself, leaning on his hand. It wasn't like he was expecting. Sitting in the cafe, watching Akira work, wondering how this was going to turn out -- it wasn't like him to be nervous in such a way. They were enemies, rivals, how could they be friends after everything? Did he really trust him? Likely not fully, but he trusted him enough to meet him here.

He wanted to smash his face into the counter top. ]

My this isn't quite LeBlanc, but I could be persuaded to enjoy it. Do you like working here?

[This was very soon after their last meeting, but it shouldn't wait. They shouldn't put it off and get stuck in limbo, not knowing what the other person was doing, not knowing what their feelings were or having a feel for what they might be planning.]

Good evening!

[His greeting is as warm and friendly as ever, despite the tension between them. He wasn't pretending to be friendly just for show though, no matter whether Akechi thought he was or not. Akira was willing to be friendly, he was willing to learn who the REAL Goro Akechi was, even if he wasn't willing to forgive and forget.

As much as he might come off as if he was.]

I do enjoy it here. Lots of colorful customers around here, you know? With all of the imPorts.

[ He's so nice. Friendly, but why? What was his game? He taps his fingers on the table, unfortunately already suspect of the motives behind his good will. He smiles at him however, an attempt to try and be friendly. ]

I can imagine. I wonder what they're all like?

[ He leans on his hand, wanting to just get his mind off of his intrusive thoughts. He thinks about how much Akira must hate him, how much they all do at the end of all things this whole "let's start over" thing was a ploy to uncover more information.

Or to simply toss him out like trash once they're done.]

How about some coffee before we go?

[What was the point of attacking him immediately? He wanted to avoid needless conflict, and... despite everything, Akira could see where he was coming from. He didn't like how he dealt with it, and would still want to be sure he was truly apologetic. But god, it was hard for him to get a read on Akechi in the moment. He had a pokerface that rivaled his own, so Akira wasn't going to push it just yet. Not here, not now.]

So far, they're a lot like anyone else, except they've got super powers. Some are good, some are bad. [He set out making two coffees then, without needing more prompting.]

They all come here for food, coffee, and sometimes company. I guess there are occasional weirdos who want to put on a cape and spandex and fly around saving kittens from trees, and I'm sure a few of them want to take over the world, but...

When they're here, they're just customers.

[He turned around to continue making the coffee, remembering the kind that Akechi usually ordered in Leblanc. He wondered for a moment if he should do something to it. He remembered the knife in his pocket, happy to have his back to Akechi as he chewed on his lower lip.

But Akira wasn't a killer. Not of men, anyway. Gods, though? He'd kill them as soon as they got too big for their britches. Maybe when they went to eat they could discuss all of that. Everything that happened after Shido's fall. Akechi might be interested? He wanted to keep the cafe conversation light.]

You seem to really flourish in these sort of environments. What do you intend to do for a living?

[ He could see Akira doing this for the rest of his life. Listening to stories, serving coffee and really connecting with those around him. Perhaps this is why he made an excellent leader of the Phantom Thieves. He smiles a bit, his thoughts wandering to Shido's palace briefly. Even then, in his failure, in his desperation, Akira still offered him a second chance.

He wondered if he deserved it. ]

Perhaps this is why I continued to visit you at LeBlanc. It was... the only place I felt like myself. [ The few times he really told the truth was in that cafe and his heart sank thinking about it.

What could have been different if he had just simply wanted to join them? Shido likely would have killed him long before his palace but... it would have been nice to have friends. ]

[He'd make a terrific bartender, once he was old enough to serve alcohol, though a bar wouldn't serve coffee, would it? Maybe he could own a little tavern someday. The sky is the limit, right?]

I had been hoping that once I graduated, I could beg Sojiro to hire me, but that's kind of off the table for now, isn't it?

[Just working at a coffee shop would work for the time being, though. It paid well enough and Akira liked to talk with people and make coffee. He hadn't made many other plans since his arrest as far as careers go. He could figure it out in college, maybe?]

I miss that place too. You did always seem pretty relaxed sitting at the bar.

[He turned away once more, then returning with two mugs of coffee. One for himself, one for his guest, which he'd take care of monetarily. He wouldn't dream of charging ~~his date~~ Akechi for a single cup at his place of employment. He'd just drop the money in the til without asking.]

There you are. Let me know if you need any more cream or sugar.

Perhaps bartending might also be your style. I'm quite certain you could add a little flare to it. [ He graciously accepts his coffee, taking a moment to inhale the new scent. It was at least familiar enough he could enjoy it. He finally started to relax, coffee in had as he takes his first sip.

Just like he remembered.

He remembered hoe easy it was to talk to Akira; giving him honest answers to vague questions while also simply just enjoying the silence. Sojiro was often a fantastic host, but adept at keeping "ignorant" when he has to. He missed it all. ]

Ah, no this is fine. I appreciate it, however.

So tell me about this sushi place you found.

[Akira just laughed a little at the suggestion that he might make a good bartender. It was a little eerie for him to say so at just that point, but he supposed that made sense as well. He enjoyed making drinks and talking to people.]

You know, for a short time, I did work at a bar in Shibuya.

[Not serving drinks for the most part, it was never quite that busy, but he helped out from behind the bar.]

It's a pretty small place, just a few blocks away. Almost like something you'd find at home, except it's more booths and less of a bar. Medium price range. I haven't eaten there yet to know if it's actually good or not, so you'll be coming along for the Maiden Voyage on that one.

Wouldn't that have been illegal? I mean you're not twenty yet, I can't imagine how the school would have looked upon that.

[But he can't help but laugh. Of all the absurd things, he didn't realise he pegged him as a bartender. He would make a great bartender, however. He takes another sip of the coffee, setting it down gently.]

So you have no idea if it's even good? If we end up getting poisoned I will never let you live it down. [ He smiles. A genuine smile at that. He's really enjoying relaxing with Akira.

Which was strange to him. He never thought he'd be able to speak so freely without worry of being hunted down himself. It was always a game of cat and mouse with everyone he met (he quite enjoyed being the cat) and yet now? Now he had no plans to do anything but try and start over. Even Futaba was trying to be nice to him.

He didn't blame anyone for their loathing. He did loath himself, after all. ]

Oh, it was definitely illegal.

[Akira laughed at that.]

I did a lot of less than legal stuff then. Got a little involved with Yakuza, illegal firearms, hiring one of those maid services... You know the kind.

[It was easy to talk about now. He want doing anything like that for the time being, anyway, and it wasn't like he could get convicted for it now. He rested his chin on his hand as he watched Akechi with his coffee.]

I'll take the blame for it if we did, but I would not recommend mid-grade fugu, if it's even available.

If you want to worry about poison, maybe you should have had me taste the coffee first, hm? Who knows what a dangerous criminal like me could have done to it while I brewed?

[As he says that, he's finally taking a sip from his own mug though, if that says anything.]

Maid service? [ Of all the things to focus on it was that. ] Desperate for company, were we? [ He is teasing. If there was one thing he realised about Akira is that he doesn't just do something without reason. Everything else he knew. ]

Dangerous criminal. [ He snickers, lifting up the coffee once more. ] If you had poisoned me, I'm sure I would be dead by now. Though I prefer a more slow acting one myself.

So, are you free to leave then?

[He's alright talking about himself, but he won't mention Kawakami. That wasn't his place. It's better to let other think you're a sad person than it was to give away secrets that don't belong to you.]

I've got a couple of friends who are bad with the women. We were going to call together but they got cold feet. Turns out they give really great massages though.

[He shrugged at that, not particularly worried about all of that. Akechi would be surprised at how frivolous he could be now and then.]

Yeah, I should be good to go. Let me just check in with the boss.

[Taking his mug back with him to the 'kitchen' area that wasn't blocked off, Akira vanished for a few short moments. He returned shortly with a dish rag, and without his apron on, making his way around the counter.]

Shall we?

You called a maid service because your friends are bad with women? What a friend you are.

[ He really should press further into the maid thing, but it wasn't the time to ask now. Akira would tell him if he felt that he could be trusted. Would he ever reach to that point? He wasn't sure but at least for the moment he could be left with his own thoughts as Akira went to find out if he could leave.

Akira trusted him enough to invite him alone, without back up (that he knew of) and it made him feel....

Well it made him feel wanted. It wasn't a feeling he was used to. He sighs, a somber expression crossing his features as he taps his fingers on the table. He looks up once Akira returned, a little torn between wanting to break his fingers, and just simply letting him be.]

We shall.

[ Enjoy the first genuine smile of the night. ]

[This time, Akira hadn't called for backup. None. He hadn't even told anyone he was meeting Akechi. It somehow made him feel less worried to be on his own on this one. The only truly unpredictable factor here was Akechi himself, but he felt confident enough in handling him.]

You have to admit you're a little curious about those services too. They say all sorts of suggestive things in the ads. A guy's mind can go wild a little.

[Especially Ryuji's and Mishima's, but... that's not saying Akira didn't have an imagination that definitely ran wild with Maid Service stuff. How can you not??? AKECHI, YOU'RE A TEENAGED BOY.

Anyway, that was a topic for another time. Akira lead the way out the door, then waiting outside so that they could walk side by side.]

How are you doing, by the way? It can't be easy... you know. Suddenly being here after everything.

I suppose I've been curious but never thought of actually calling them.

[ If there was one thing is mind ran wild with was the outfit itself but he was NOT going to admit that part of it. He follows him outside, putting his hands into his pockets. ]

I'm ... well I don't know. [ He admits honestly, taking a deep breath trying to collect his thoughts. ] I suppose knowing I was alive was enough to begin with -- and then I saw Futaba's network post.

[ And then everything happened. He hated the fact that his... second chance was already tainted with people he knew. ]

What about you? [ He tries to change the subject. ]

[Akira recognizes how he tries to change the subject. It was uncomfortable for him, he could read that easily enough. How could he not be? Then Yusuke of course went and warned a bunch of people, which further complicated his new start.]

Oh... I dunno. It's been really stressful. I feel a little cornered, which... is a pain because I had just finally gotten past that feeling back home.

[He'd just finally gotten out of juvie, had gone back to the coffee shop... he had been so happy. No more a wanted criminal, no more needing to fight gods. Just him and his friends on a road trip, but now here he was. Thrown back into danger, never knowing who wanted him dead or who was trustworthy.

The weariness might even be a little visible, even on Akira's usually unaffected face.]

Did you want to hear about what happened after...?

[He wouldn't assume he did, but if anyone deserved to know more, he did.]

I could tell you about whatever you wanted to know about. Might be good to do while we're walking rather than in a restaurant.

Stress seems to be common place here, doesn't it?

[ He falls silent at the offer to find out what happened. He did wonder, taking time to think to himself about what could have possibly become of Shido. He frowns, his name like bile in his throat as he just thinks of his father. That man deserves everything he gets and more and despite not being able to exact his own revenge... he hoped that Akira managed the impossible.

He looks him over, before nodding. ]

Yes. .... Actually I do. Did you manage to make Shido confess?

I guess it's to be expected. We're ripped from our homes, our times, dropped into the middle of some American conflict we have no business meddling in and expected to simply make a life for ourselves here. And pressured and bribed to partake in these military efforts.

[He shrugged at that, figuring that complaining wasn't really worth it. It's not like complaining will send him home.]

But yeah.

Yeah, we did it. We stole his heart, we got him to confess on live television. It was broadcast over the screens in Shibuya.

Which is absurd. What sort of government decides to uproot massive amounts of people to have them fight in their own conflicts? I am not even certain why we are all here, but I refuse to allow myself to be taken advantage of again.

[ He wouldn't allow it to happen. Not after everything that has come to pass. He has to stop at his explanation -- staring at him wide eyed in shock. ]

Broadcast all over Shibuya? What did he say? Is he in jail? [ He wanted him dead for what he's done but to think they managed what they did... He was impressed. Colour him impressed, and infinitely stunned at the revelation.

He wished he could have been there to see it. ]

[Akira bit down on his lower lip, managing to keep his emotions about the idea of some kind of government using this strange technology to pull super-powered people to this world as some sort of living weapons under wraps. It wasn't easy. They HAD to be lying about that, right? If they could plant some kind of power-nullification nanites or some shit into their bodies, truly a machine like The Porter wasn't out of their scope of knowledge.

Especially since they keep them so well guarded. That line of thought would have to wait, despite how angry it made him. Just another example of shitty adults using others without regard to their safety or happiness.]

He confessed to the killings, and to manipulating the media to turn against us. The people on set with him freaked out, but couldn't stop him from saying it.

...It got really complicated after that.

He admitted to the killings? [So where does that leave him? Did Shido take the fall for his mistakes or did he end up throwing him under the bus like he always assumed he did? Just thinking about Shido just made his blood boil.

He loathed him. He wanted him dead -- but he wanted to do it himself. At least he's going to pay for his crimes...at least he hoped that Nijima-san would destroy him. ]

Complicated how?

He did. He said it as if he'd pulled the trigger himself. [Akira didn't want to mention where it left Akechi.

As far as anyone knows, the Detective Prince simply disappeared, and wasn't mentioned even once by his father. Not even with his heart stolen. It was really a shame, but it wasn't what he wanted to talk about.]

Well. Prosecuting him was going to be very hard, which I'm sure you could guess. Even with a confession. But the public opinion didn't really change, which made it a lot harder.

How could the public opinion not have changed? There's no way it couldn't change if he admitted to his crimes.

[ He grit his teeth, hands clenched at the mere thought of Shido getting away with what he's done. How can everyone be so complacent? Goro knew that prosecuting him would be hard -- but there was still evidence of tampering. At the very least he'd get a prison sentence.

But how could anyone still trust him after that? ]

How the hell could that bastard manage that?

Edited 2017-06-24 04:48 (UTC)

[Akechi was right to be angry. The Phantom Thieves had been more frustrated and worried, but it was only fair for him to be angry.]

Someone had been tampering with Mementos. Something.

[Was it even right to call Yaldabaoth a 'someone'? Whether or not it was a true god, one created by cognition, or a creature that manipulated the public's cognition to strengthen itself didn't really matter.]

The specifics aren't really important right now, but we did manage to steal it. The heart of the public cognition. And... I turned myself in, in order to help Sae Nijima convict him.

Last I heard, it was successful.

How are they not important? I have ... a lot of questions. The heart of the public cognition is an impressive feat that I'd like to hear about.

[ He turned himself in -- for what? Was it because he was the leader of the Phantom Thieves? That would make the most sense, considering he did escape from prison. And with Shido's change of heart, it was also likely that he'd admit his wrong doings towards Akira.

That all made sense. What didn't was the tampering of Mementos. ]

Tell me ... have you been to the Velvet Room?

They're not important because they're really hard to explain and I'm not sure how much I should discuss in the restaurant. And it's not super relevant...

[He could hardly have expected anything else from the Detective Prince though, right? Even if most of his detective work had been a farce, he was inquisitive.]

I have. You did too, then? Were you told you were being rehabilitated?

It being difficult to explain does not negate the fact that it's important. Though... I suppose you're right about being in the restaurant.

[ He pauses, taking a deep breath. Akira was being rehabilitated? He'd prefer that.]

No... I was being judged.

Well, it doesn't change the ending. Just as those before him, Shido paid for his crimes, and was locked away. It just took longer than planned, and involved some complications that I think we should talk about sometime when we've got more time away from others.

[Not at a party where they're drinking a lot, hopefully. Akira stopped to think on that though. The thought of Igor... no, not even Igor. Yaldabaoth, sitting there and calling Akechi to be judged night after night... He wasn't sure if he preferred being behind his bars, or if he would rather be judged. He would have been told he'd 'lost' either way, probably.]

Well. Mh.

I don't think you should worry overmuch about that. The man you met there wasn't who he said he was, and didn't have the goal in mind that he said he did. At least, not to me, you might have heard a little differently.

Fair enough.

[ He drops the subject, realising that pushing too hard would not yield the answers he wants. He moves his fingers through his hair, brushing it out of his face. The next comment struck a cord with him -- and he quickly shoots his gaze to Akira.]

It... wasn't Igor? What do you mean it wasn't Igor?

[Well, at least he had gotten a similar ruse, if not the same one. Akira's mouth formed a tight frown, not sure if he should even start on this part while they were out, but he had opened the can of worms now, and there was no turning back.]

It was not.

It was a being that likened itself to a god, playing a cruel game who had somehow taken the form of Igor. [It was hard really for Akira to parse what exactly had been the plan from there, but he knew enough to know that he was attempting to manipulate them for his own twisted desires.]

It must have been what manipulated mementos, and it had wanted to prove that human beings wanted to be controlled, I suppose.

[And Yaldabaoth was a sore loser, too.]

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Have No Face To Show[Closed]

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