Pew Pew

[justicesfool]

 [The thing about being somewhere new is that usually, you were supposed to be able to use it as a fresh start. This... is not that. This is a place full of faces he knows - his own face, and Akechi's - and especially with the way the Mona who'd seemed like he was from his other life had reacted to him... it's giving him flashbacks of his record being leaked in Shujin. He keeps almost saying the wrong thing to people, too, used to everyone already knowing.

It's a while after all of that, and he hasn't risked going anywhere near Leblanc. He's scouted around a few places, though, and now he's wound up here at the arcade, playing a vicious game of Gun About. What can he say? It's good for getting rid of all that stress, without risking anyone walking in on him slaughtering shadows in a non-Joker-like way.

That said, even this isn't quite... right. He's too focused, for one thing. A bit too accurate. Nowhere near showy enough, either.

Poke him anyway?]

Comments

[fogbornphantom]

And even if they are unfounded, they still feel logical because of past experiences. If you've been hurt enough times, it becomes difficult to hold out hope, for fear of being hurt again.

[Akechi runs a hand through his hair, then settles that same hand on his hip. His gaze is distant, his voice softer now.]

Sometimes people who are down on their luck make desperate, reckless choices. I dread to think of who I'd be, had I not met Kanji that night.

[justicesfool]

[He leans back against the machine. It's not like anyone else is using it for them to be in the way, after all. Hands in pockets now his gun's back in its holder.]

Yeah. They do. [Him, Akechi... he's just glad he doesn't know of any of the Thieves who've been through anything as bad as them.] Kanji, huh?

[fogbornphantom]

Kanji Tatsumi. He saw me one lonely night in Inaba, after I'd been locked out of my foster home at the time. When everyone else turned a blind eye to my suffering, he saw me, and he supported me.

It's thanks to him that I was able to escape that waking nightmare and find my way to Ryotaro Dojima and his daughter.

[He heaves a wistful sigh, taking out a small, crocheted crow plush from his pocket and cradling it in his palm.]

That night altered the course of my life. In many regards, it's probably why I walk the path I do now.

[justicesfool]

I'm... glad you were able to have people like that.

[It took his Akechi years to open up, believe people actually meant it when they wanted to help. And as for him... the less said the better, really.

The crow is... cute. It makes him think of his Crow, and-] I wonder if my version of you would like something like that. [It's mostly said to himself.]

[fogbornphantom]

It's rather difficult to say. For me, it was all about the gesture. That a complete stranger would go out of his way to offer a handmade gift...

[Oh... Damn it. He sounds all wistful and longing, doesn't he?

It's the loneliness setting in, no doubt.]

It would depend on the life he lived and how heavily fortified his heart is from the world around him.

[justicesfool]

[There's not much he can say to that. It's not like he can come out with how even if someone had done that for him at that age, it wouldn't have helped.]

It used to be pretty heavily fortified. It took me a long time to get through to him, let alone feel like he trusted me... but now? [Oh, look. That wistful, longing expression is mirrored.] We're pretty close. I'd like to think he'd appreciate the sentiment, at least.

[fogbornphantom]

Ha. That's good to hear. The other me... not my child self, but the one in your uniform is...

[He's not going to spill secrets. He promised as much, so he won't. He's better than that.]

Well, I'm not sure how he'll react to seeing me like this. He's met me as a child, and things were fairly amicable. But I'm the same age as him, and my life has taken many different turns since then.

[He pauses.]

...and right now my child self is once again deliberating texting him.

[Shared memories are weird.]

[justicesfool]

I've seen him around.

[If you aren't, neither is he. But - he's allowed to sigh.]

If he's anything like I imagine he would be, he's... spiky. Be careful, [but that could mean any kind of care] but don't give up.

[That gets a slight laugh. It's a funny idea, okay?]

Same goes for the kid, to be honest.

[fogbornphantom]

Ha. I was spiky for many years. I just grew out of it.

[A wry sorta smile lines his face. His memories of his other self are... interesting, but there are certain things he swore to secrecy. Things that go unsaid.]

I don't think he'll hurt my younger self, at least. All things considered, they have a fairly positive rapport.

[justicesfool]

Shame. I kind of like the spikes.

[Slight teasing, but also honest. The idea of an Akechi without Issues is... weird to him. And he does appreciate that outfit.]

Good. Our younger selves- [there's a flicker of something painful] always deserve a bit more kindness, I'd say.

[fogbornphantom]

Oh, they still show themselves on occasion. But I'm far better at concealing them.

[He winks, picking up on the teasing vibes quite easily.]

...But are you all right?

[He caught that flicker. It's a tad worrying.]

[justicesfool]

[An unguarded blink.] I'm fine. [Now.] It's nothing to worry about, really.

[You aren't his Akechi. No matter how nice or how similar you are.

The loud noises and flashing lights of the arcade are suddenly getting to him too, on top of the discomfort of worry he's no longer sure how to handle, let alone if he ever could.]

[fogbornphantom]

...You look tired.

[He glances toward the door.]

Perhaps some rest would serve you well. I'm sure I've talked your ear off quite a bit as it is.

[justicesfool]

[Part of him wants to protest that no Akechi could ever talk his ear off enough for him to be tired of him; but that's just a reminder that there's more than one of him here.

Instead, he starts moving past him, pauses with clear hesitation, nods awkwardly in thanks, and then leaves.]