awashlogs | quests & catch-all

[ Maybe Akechi shouldn't be trusted with a gun.

Maybe, but it's his easiest means of self-defense, and if he's being honest with himself, he doesn't want to give it up, either-- it took him very long to perfect his marksmanship, after all. And maybe (likely) some of the latest incidents had shaken his confidence, and maybe (definitely) he was almost a little scared of pulling the trigger again, but none of those feelings did him any good.

So he had decided to drag himself out of that rut, and there was one quest in particular that made it easier, or at least gave him a good excuse. He had seen Minato offer himself in the forum, and since he's one of the few people who know about his Persona, Akechi was quick to message him and arrange a time and place.

He arrives to well about five minutes early out of courtesy, looking down at his reflection as he wait. When steps are heard approaching, he turns to greet the newcomer: ]

Good afternoon, Arisato-kun. Thank you for agreeing to do this.

[This was certainly one of the easier ones to agree to. He figures that Akechi's plenty aware of why Minato's so confident about this quest; his Personas are more than capable of stopping fatal bullets. He doesn't have much of a risk at all, taking on this quest.

(He would still do it, probably, with good reason, even if he didn't have that.

But thankfully that's not an issue.)

So it's with Messiah at the forefront of his mind, its immunity to gun and pierce attacks comforting, as he easily nods to Akechi in response, hands tucked as comfortably in his pockets as ever.]

Afternoon, Akechi-san. It wasn't any trouble--I'm glad I can help you complete this quest. I didn't know that you're so capable with a gun, though.

[ While not entirely aware of Minato's skill set, Akechi has figured the reason why he is willing to go about this quest is because he's relying on his Persona powers-- a shield, or perhaps immunity? Either way, he's looking forward to seeing what that seemingly meek boy can do.

Looking forward to seeing exactly what he's dealing with it, too. ]

Due to my job as a detective, the police strongly advised me to take on lessons, although it wasn't until my Persona awakened that I had the chance to truly perfect my skills.

[ That's not even a lie, either; it just so happens that he had been practicing for a lot longer than he claims to be. ]

Ah, that reminds me--

[ Poof! In a flash of light, he's changed to Crow, dressed in impeccable fashion as though his princely suit hadn't taken damage during the werewolf invasion whatsoever. Cognition was magical like that. ]

While I understand you can probably defend yourself, perhaps it would make you more comfortable if I demonstrated my marksmanship first?

[ On a different target, he means. Come on, pick anything, Minato, let him show off. ]

[Akechi may want to show off, but Minato's a pretty straightforward person; he shakes his head simply, hands tucked in his pockets, as he casually rocks back and forth on his heels.]

That's okay. You're the sort of person who seems really deliberate in his choices, you know? I don't think you would've offered if your aim was bad, so... I trust you.

[As easy as pie! Minato's simple, that way.]

[ ... tsk. But he wanted to show off. :c

Still, for Minato to trust him so easily with his life... He could admit they had been growing closer in the time they had come to know each other, but Akechi is fairly sure no one smart enough should simply put so much blind faith in another person, close though they might be. Was this guy that stupid, or did he just not care about his life-- maybe especially so not now that the permanence of death has been defied?

... or, was it not about stupidity at all, but rather, complete and utter confidence in his own power? Hmm... ]

Very well. I appreciate the trust you have just shown me.

[ And just as easily as that, he reaches for his jacket pocket and withdraws a single apple that he had brought for the specific purposes of this quest, handing it over to Minato. ]

Since the quest doesn't specify a shooting range, I'll let you take as much distance as you're comfortable with.

[Akechi can ponder that at will! Minato seems pretty content to just wait patiently, hands tucked into his pockets casually.

He does lift a hand to accept the apple, though, nodding simply. Far enough away that Akechi has to use his skills, but not so far that it's totally unreasonable.

So when he's a proper number of paces away, he reaches up to carefully set the apple on top of his head, and then he flashes Akechi a dumb thumbs up.]

Okay, Akechi-san. I'm all set.

[ A dumb thumbs up and he's all ready to be used for target practice, dear lord, Minato... ]

Very well.

[ With a quick nod and an even swifter move of his arm, Akechi lifts his gun and takes aim. There's no extra flourish or unnecessary added difficulty this time, the whim to show off being easily appeased by the thought of making his mark with just a single shot. ]

I hope you're ready!

[Akira is on his patrol when he sees it - Akechi, raising his gun.

He doesn't see what he's aiming at, other than a quick glimpse of another person, but somehow, that's enough to make panic rise in his throat. He doesn't know what's happening - all he knows is Akechi is about to shoot someone, again, possibly for the third time and Akira has to stop it, both for the other person's sake, and Akechi's.

And so he runs, lunging at Akechi, to push his arm so his aim is too high.]

Stop!

All set, Akechi-san.

[Minato manages to get that out, standing very still very carefully, when... Akira's suddenly bursting on the scene, and then even for Minato, he needs a few moments to really process what's going on.

The look on Akira's face, it's--

(Is he okay?)]

[ (No. He's not okay.)

In fact, it's a good thing Akechi hadn't pulled the trigger by the time Akira all but assaults him, or else he would have completely missed his mark-- and he might have shot Minato in the process. Luckily, the beam of light hits nothing but thin air, so there will be no casualties today.

... except for Akechi, who all but goes tumbling down from the unprompted body slam, just barely avoiding going face-first on the ground because his other arm cushioned his fall. Thanks, Akira. ]

[(He really isn't.)

The beam flies off into the trees, and Akira feels his chest loosen.

Though, once he calms down, he starts to take in the scene: Akechi, on the ground, stopped only by his own arm, and Minato, staring at him, with an apple on his head.

...Ah.

Akira looks between them one more time before his hand finds his bangs.]

Hi, Minato, Akechi.

[As though he didn't just knock Akechi down.]

[Um.

Minato takes the apple off of his head quietly, moving over to them with a bit of a quietly concerned expression on his face.

Nothing is really okay here, is it...]

Um... are you okay, Akira-san?

[He'll...go ahead and offer Akechi a hand up, too? What a mess.]

[ "Hi" my ass, you piece of trash, is really what Akechi wants to say back to Akira, but somehow manages to keep it to himself. ]

Yes, are you okay, Kurusu-kun? [ Asked as though he wasn't the one who had been just tackled down out of the blue. He's going to be kindly accepting Minato's offered hand, too, because wow, at least someone over here has manners! ]

Is the town affecting you in any way today? I would hate to think you have simply taken on a liking for throwing me down otherwise, haha.

[ That fake smile is... particularly faker today. A lot more forced, too. ]

...Sorry. I guess I just... overreacted.

[Overreacted to the sight of Akechi holding a gun on someone, though he now realizes he was just trying to shoot the apple. Akira has more than enough faith in Akechi's aim to think that he probably wouldn't hit Minato, and when he thinks about it rationally there's no reason for Akechi to do that, but... he's more than a little shaken up, still.]

I'm still a little jumpy.

[And hopefully Minato will just take that to mean that Akira has some kind of gun-related PTSD and not... Akechi-related PTSD. For what it's worth he does look pretty sheepish now.]

[Minato is not so dense as to not realize there's some tension here, and he's not actually sure where it's coming from. Is there something there? Akira didn't seem like the sort of person to him who would react without reason like that, especially not that dramatically.

That he reacted that way to Akechi with a gun...

... Minato helps pull Akechi up to his feet, looking between them with a quietly concerned expression.]

Has this quest been bothering you, then...? You shouldn't push yourself.

[ Akechi can definitely tell Minato has picked up on something-- the guy has always been quite perceptive, it seems. And if he leaves this up for Akira to answer, it's going to get even worse. He was never a good liar.

Looks like it's on Akechi to try and clear the air some. ]

Given Kurusu-kun's experience with our legal system, perhaps he doesn't trust someone in law enforcement pointing a gun at one of his friends. [ That was aimed at Minato, and he turns to Akira before adding: ]

I can assure you there's nothing to worry about, though. Arisato-kun has shown trust in me.

[ A clear jab at Akira's obvious lack of faith, as evidenced by his earlier assault.

(Nobody said Akechi was that great at clearing the air, either.) ]

[Akira manages not to flinch, only looking over at Minato and nodding instead.]

I see. I'm sure he won't miss; I've seen his shooting for myself.

[Fairly recently, in fact... but for now, he backs up toward the trees, leaning against a trunk.]

I'm fine, anyway. Don't let me stop you.

[He's the picture of nonchalance over here, though he occasionally glances at Akechi, or more accurately, the ray gun.]

[... Look, being arrested for something wrongful is one thing, but if you want him to believe that that's enough to give Akira PTSD over guns being pointed at people, he's not sure he buys it.

But.

It's clearly none of his business.

So he shuts up and just nods quietly, though he offers Akira one more concerned look.]

... Are you sure you're going to be okay with watching, Akira-san?

[ As Akira moves away, Akechi produces another apple out of his jacket pocket - that one was probably meant to be his lunch - and offers it to Minato, as a vital part of their quest. ]

I'm certain he will be fine. Kurusu-kun is stronger than you might think, Arisato-kun.

[ And while this is supposed to be reassuring, it might also double as another jab at Akira's earlier antics, and a nod towards his physical strength, if not so much his mental resilience. ]

Although, if he's not fine with watching-- [ A pause, and he looks over to where Akira stands, perfectly plastic smile in place. ] --then I wonder if he would like to take your place instead.

[ He's perfectly aware Akira is a red, while the quest demands for a blue. ]

[Akira raises an eyebrow, wondering why that's what Akechi is offering. Why he would try to bait Akira into willingly putting himself in the path of Akechi's bullet.

But he just gives a shrug.]

I wouldn't mind. But I'm not a blue.

[Unless Minato is going to try to shoot him? Heh.

Anyway, he nods at Minato.]

I'm fine, but thanks.

[... Minato just sighs softly at that, taking the apple, and looking between the two of them once more.

Can you like....not be in a snit when someone is shooting at him...? Please? Thanks. He has endless amounts of patience, but this is one of those things that even he's kind of Concerned about.]

I'm not sure what's wrong between you two, but if you'd like to resolve it now instead of doing the quest, that's fine too. Don't let me get in your way.

There is nothing to be resolved.

[ Or rather, nothing that can be resolved in such a short amount of time, but Akechi doesn't have the disposition to explain it in such terms at the moment. He really was just trying to get a quest going, geez. ]

On my part, at least, I have no grudge to hold against Kurusu-kun. [ He glances over to Akira again before adding: ] I'm sure we can leave that aside as nothing more than... an overly enthusiastic bump of shoulders, correct?

[ The tackling down incident, that is. The other thing is... not as easy to drop, probably. ]

[Nothing to be resolved, huh? Akira tilts his head, but then nods in agreement.]

I apologize for bumping into you. It won't happen again.

[Now he's being all formal, even. Though, he does try to be polite, most of the time, though usually more with adults than people his age.

But then, Akechi is something of an authority figure, right? It's only fitting. There's definitely nothing else happening here.]

Go ahead.

[Well. Hearing Akira be that polite and formal, Minato's pretty sure he knows for a fact that something happened.

But.

What else can he do, really, but sigh softly to himself and nod. Okay, fine...

He turns to go move the same distance away that he was before, carefully placing the apple on top of his head.]

... There. I'm ready whenever.

[Even if now he's a lot more concerned with what's wrong between the two of them than over this quest at this point.]

[ Shh, it's okay, Minato, they're totally fine!! Or... they will be, eventually. But this is nothing to be worried about!!

Once Minato takes up position, and hoping there will be no more interruptions, Akechi raises his pistol to take aim, and pulls the trigger just a second later. As expected, he doesn't miss his mark, and the only thing that splatters over Minato's head is apple juice.

See? Nothing to worry about-- at least as far as his shooting skills go! ]

There. I believe this quest has been a success.

[ You know, to make up for all that communication failure and all. ]

[There are indeed no further interruptions; Akira watches quietly as the bullet hits the arrow, splattering apple all over Minato (which, admittedly, is a bit comical; he doesn't laugh, though).]

See? Akechi always hits his mark.

[And he never doubted that for an instant; only what Akechi's mark was.]

[Gross. Minato doesn't flinch when Akechi fires, and but he does scrunch his nose up a little at the apple guts everywhere. He goes to fetch the apple from where it landed, inspecting it idly (a perfect hole left behind in what remains of the apple), and nods.]

I had faith that he would.

[With the whole. Agreeing to be shot at thing. It kind of comes with the territory. And a thumbs up!]

Nice shot, Akechi-san.

[ Praise his marksmanship!! ]

Thank you, Arisato-kun. It truly means a lot, to know you placed such faith in me.

[ And while he's only looking at Minato as even sporting his usual pleasant smile as he says this, it's definitely another jab at Akira. But then immediately after that, Akechi does turn to him to add: ]

So, how about it, Kurusu-kun? Would you like to give this a try?

[ Does he mean the apple shooting or having faith in him? ]

[Akira raises an eyebrow, looking between them, before giving a shrug, hands in his pockets.]

We still don't know if my gun works.

[Especially against Minato, who now also thinks it's only a toy (which it is).

As for having faith in Akechi... he doesn't answer that. He would think letting him go ahead and shoot at Minato would be enough.]

[... Akechi are you volunteering him for more target practice.

Like.

Minato trusts Akira's aim too, but isn't that like. His choice.]

... Well, I guess it doesn't hurt to wait and see what the reward is either before we do the quest more. It might not be worth the effort.

quests & catch-all

apple shooting w/ Minato feat. Akira

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