[Open Intro] a pirate's life for me

[captainkurusu]

I. In the Velvet Room

The sight of an Akira in a long black coat and a high-necked gray vest is no rarity around these parts, but the one currently studying the conspiracy board is different. He has gold earrings, for one thing, and his clothes have a different style: hand-sewn wool and linen, not the slick, modern leather of Metaverse garb. His casual, hands-in-pockets slouch as he studies the conspiracy board, however, should look familiar to almost anyone.

Well. Anyone who knows an Akiren, anyway.

At the sound of anyone approaching him, Captain Akira turns sharply, his right hand flying to the hilt of the cutlass hanging from his belt. Depending on who he sees, he’ll say one of the following things:

If the character approaching him is an Akiren, his eyes widen briefly in surprise. Then he puts his hands on his hips, studying his double with interest. “You look oddly familiar, somehow,” he quips. “I’m afraid I can’t place you, though.”

If the character approaching him is an Akechi, the choked syllable “Go–” escapes him before he can stop it. Then he cuts himself off, smiling in apology. “Excuse me. I mistook you for someone else.”

If the character approaching him is anyone else, he nods a polite greeting and points at the conspiracy board. “Did you write this?” he asks cheerfully. “ ‘For mine own part, it is Greek to me.’ ”

Whether the character he addresses recognizes the quote or not, Akira’s puzzled expression translates its meaning clearly: Hey. What the hell is this?

II. In Tokyo

Tokyo is the last place Akira ought to set foot in--so of course, it’s the first place he does. To his disappointment, the city beyond the door is all but unrecognizable, full of bright lights and strange buildings and marvels Akira can’t begin to puzzle out. Even so, a vague familiarity remains, an instinct leading him deeper and deeper into the urban sprawl.

Any character passing through Shibuya can find Akira just off of Center Street, standing outside the door to Untouchable with a bemused expression on his face. He runs a hand through his messy hair and sighs, turning to smile at whoever is watching him.

“This place has changed a great deal since I saw it last,” he jokes. “Then again, I was a bit preoccupied the last time I was here.”

Comments

[thedevilinyourdetails]

"Would you believe me if I told you the model guns can do some real damage under the right circumstances?" He quirks a brow. "If you were expecting to see someone...I'm afraid no Iwais or Kaorus have shown up yet. But if you're looking for somewhere..." he tosses his head back, revealing a door that looks rather out-of-place in the modern store. "...I think this little pocket dimension we're in has already made accommodations."

[captainkurusu]

Akira chuckles. "Considering what else I've seen today, I'd believe you if you told me these guns could fly around and fire themselves."

His eyebrows furrow at the sight of the door, and he abandons the guns to pull it open. The room beyond it is much as he remembers: a small, windowless workshop, with a furnace and anvil in one corner and iron implements hung on the walls. A straw mat lies along the far wall, topped with a neatly folded wooden blanket. Akira looks the room over for a moment, his expression stony and hard to read. Then he turns to his fellow Akira, his usual smile back in place.

"Home, sweet home," he says, amused. "I'll see if I can't upgrade the bedding, though. My back's not what it used to be."

[thedevilinyourdetails]

"Luckily for you, we've invented bedding far better than straw mats and stuffed mattresses," he replies, faint amusement in his tone. "Can't say I was expecting the forge, though...blacksmithing apprenticeship?"

[captainkurusu]

Akira nods. "Back when I was a child. I turned out far better at wielding swords than making them, though, so I wound up a pirate instead. I haven't lived here in years."

It's not a lie, exactly; just a very terse summary of the truth. Either way, he hopes Ren will show more interest in his occupation than why he came here first, rather than searching for a version of his ship.

[thedevilinyourdetails]

Akira's eyes light up. "A pirate?" He flicks his wrist, and a deck of playing cards slips out from his sleeve. "Have any games you can teach me?"

[captainkurusu]

Akira grins. "I certainly do--though most would require more players than two. Are you familiar with All Fours, Cribbage, or Piquet?"

[thedevilinyourdetails]

"Why, I can't say I am!"

[ An expression of almost childlike joy crosses his face. ]

"Please...show me."

[captainkurusu]

"With pleasure. Let's begin with All Fours--it's a personal favorite."

He takes the deck from Devilkira and begins to explain the rules: a trick-taking game for two players, aces high, first to seven points wins. He shuffles the cards effortlessly as he talks, slipping in a few trick shuffles just to show off that he can.