Event Eight.

[awashmods]

To thee I'll return, overburdened with care; The heart's dearest solace will smile on me there. No more from the cottage again will I roam, Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

he Town is quiet this week. No sudden quests on the forum post, no roars of werewolves in the distance... just peaceful, peaceful quiet. Of course, it's hot as hell right now, but that aside, it's pretty pleasant. You probably don't want to wander around the Town right now, but... Naturally, now's when the Town is going to start thoroughly encouraging you to do just that. You do want to find your doorway back home, don't you? Better get searching! And don't mind the other worlds you might end up stumbling into first. Welcome to Awash's eighth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to start your own posts or logs for this event as well. If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[swordfucker]

"They're only unfamiliar in that I never bother drinking. I was sixteen when the catastrophe happened, and I need as much control as I can get, really."

All the time, threats and missions. A threat inside his own body, really. But he takes a seat and folds his arms over the counter.

"I'm probably not the best company, either. I'm not used to meetings like this unless they're official army business."

And then he's usually getting criticized nonstop, anyway...

[passio]

[ dextera leans his head on guren’s shoulder. “a lot” of people need him… those people need to find better company, but he’s trying, trying not to think that way about himself. ]

Not just him.

[ not just the archangel. he knows that. eventually, however, he’s going to have to make a choice, and in the deepest parts of his heart, he’s not sure what he would choose.

he lifts their joined hands, and kisses guren’s knuckles. ]

[osteotome]

[ Honebami just stares at the array of dangerous or weird-looking gadgets, They don't quite register as weapons to him! Just strange, but that's close. ]

That seems very useful. Freezing certain things solid could make them easier to transport and handle.

[ He can get that much, even if it's a bit to register that the cylinder can do such a thing. Is it like a can...? ]

So, this will be used for your experiment then, to take out of here.

[messianic]

[Huh... he supposes that there aren't a ton of books on "people singing together, just having a grand old time". It really does always surprise him, though--the contrast between how much Elizabeth knows, and how much she doesn't. Books versus experience...

It's fine, though, isn't it? She's learning more every single day.]

That's probably true... it's okay, though. They put the lyrics on the screen for you.

[He's assuming, since the AC and lights in the mall are okay, the karaoke machine will be okay too... please let everything function...]

Here, it's just right through here.

[Into a pretty common karaoke type of set up.]

[doublecrowss]

[ For someone with such keen sense of perception, it would be nigh impossible for Akechi not to notice that subtle but very real fluster dusting off Akira's cheeks, though figuring out why is not as easy a task. While it may be strange that this is the only channel currently available to them, it's not as if they're in control of what comes to pass within these pocket dimensions, right?

... unless Akira has begun to suspect they are based on their memories, like one of the hypotheses Akechi, himself, has been working with. And if that's the case-- ]

Ah, I don't particularly mind it. [ A shake of his head, both in response to Akira's question and as a means to ground himself back to reality. It's best not to get his hopes up, then set himself up for disappointment. ] I've been told I'm the kind of person who likes the sound of his own voice, haha.

[ Self-deprecating joke and rueful laugh out of the way, he sets the remote back where he found it, then makes the short trip back to his seat, where he quickly engages in wrapping the cardboard box in packing tape. He wants to do a thorough job, like everything he does, so he spends a good amount of time working on the bottom alone, since that's the area that's more likely to break the easiest.

Occasionally, he takes a peek at the television, and he can't help but let his own thoughts wander again, his own memories taking over. One of his earlier interviews, was it? ]

It feels like forever ago, doesn't it?

[ And for just that brief minute, he keeps his eyes on the screen, distracted from his task, a wistful flair in his voice. It's nostalgia, mixed with the knowledge that very moment set their fate into motion. ]

"They do more than the police." [ A chuckle, and then his gaze is back on Akira. ] With an answer like that, it's no wonder I've had my eyes on you from day one.

[osteotome]

It's nice to meet you too, Midoriya-san.

[ He takes that hand, with a somewhat trusting grip to it. He's the tour guide here, and very polite! No reason to be wary when curiosity's got him. ]

Thank you. It looks like a nice place to stay... but I don't know who would live in a place like this. [ Swords are traditional weapons, hence the citadel being pretty traditional in decor. ] It's clean and welcoming though.

[osteotome]

Ah, that sounds very troublesome...

[ Someone has told him about it before at least. So he isn't too shocked, but it's worth noting. ]

Should I check for anything that could be dangerous in here? Or not right.

[swordfucker]

[NO IT'S HIS.

He's got an unfairly firm grip on it, and he yanks it closer, not seeming to care if it drags her along with it. He sighs.]

Normally, I'd ask you to prove it. But you're the annoying type who has to make a big deal out of it, so I'll say this instead: the second you show you're a liability instead of an asset, I'll send you back myself.

[swordfucker]

[It's... very warming, to have someone support him so verbally. Of course, he has plenty of people who agree with him, who want to help— but Mutsu is the one that's saying it so straightforward like this. It's embarrassing, too, to feel this way, and his gaze slides to the side as he brings the sake to his lips.]

You don't seem all that better.

[He's saying that just to detract from all of those gross friendship feelings he's getting. Teasing and being mildly insulting is much easier.]

[swordfucker]

Haha... You're too easy. If you don't get some higher standards, I'll just feel bad.

[But he's smiling as he says it, leaning in to steal a short and sweet kiss for himself. Simple interactions like this can lift his whole heart, his soul, and make him forget about those worries, if only temporarily.

The weight is just getting heavier.]

At least let me treat you to something from a vending machine. [Romantic.]

[swordfucker]

[You know what, Zelda?? He lifts his hand, and then thumps her over the head like a karate chop. It's a scolding.]

Just because the threats are gone doesn't mean it's harmless, and just because it isn't harmless doesn't mean you should go check it out. I'll show you one room, so choose carefully: the temple or the lab?

[He'll pick one special room from either.]

[swordfucker]

[Now he does hope Izuku creams him. At least once.]

I taught some classes there. Keep in mind this is after the catastrophe— the apocalypse, basically. The school feeds directly into the army, and I have an elite unit within it that I was scouting for talent for, too.

[tosa]

(It's easy for Mutsu to be honest but it's just as easy to roll with the teasing. He can read the air. He knows when to push and when to let things slide,)

Maybe ya need your eyes checked.

(Or maybe it's because Guren's had too much to drink and now he clearly can't even see a straight line!!! But he'll be nice and let Guren enjoy his... fifth...???? drink. It'll be good for him.)

[theshowsover]

[Akira looks away from the coffee he's debating between to look over at Akechi. The wistful way he's looking at the television makes Akira feel nostalgic himself. Thoughtful.

It really was forever ago. Back before everything went to hell; back when he thought Akechi really was a good guy, if a little arrogant.

Back before he knew the pain he was truly in. Back before Akechi...

It was simpler then, though Akira didn't know it at the time. Sometimes he wishes he could go back.]

Sorry. [A shrug.] I have good reasons to distrust most police.

[Have, not had. He hopes Akechi doesn't read more into that than his faulty arrest.]

[osuni]

[RUVA, NO???]

Eh? [That gets her to pause.] I hope that means you're that confident in your own abilities, and not that you think it should be you because this is your world or anything like that.

[swordfucker]

[Hmm, spot on, he hates it. He scowls a little, but there's no real immediate retort or anger. Just... embarrassment hidden by mild disgust.]

Okay, okay, I get it. [Stop listing it!!! It's too much to deal with...]

At least dodge when someone throws something at you... Isn't that sword teaching you anything?

[Mutsu, he means,]

[swordfucker]

No, definitely not just him.

[Like me, he begs himself to say, but he can't do it. He's too focused, watching Dextera kissing his knuckles through his peripheral vision, feeling his weight against him.

This isn't the time to be so self-centered and worried about things like that. Dextera has his own world, his own life...]

[swordfucker]

[Speaking of pushing.

He quietly lets his foot find its way to Mutsu's seat and... pushes it away like he intends to either knock it over or push him halfway across the room.]

Ah. I slipped just now. [Sips...]

[doublecrowss]

[ Oh, but he does. There's the arrest, of course, and while Akira is most likely thinking of the second time he was captured, the connection Akechi draws is something else entirely. ]

... hmm. I understand.

[ While not a member of the force, Akechi himself does work alongside the police. And right now, with only this tentative truce between them, he can't blame Akira for not trusting him.

(As it turns out, it's hard to be an Ace Detective when he can't look directly into someone's heart.) ]

Regardless, to think I would so vehemently oppose the Phantom Thieves, only to later wind up joining them... [ And he busies himself with the cardboard box again, willing away whatever feelings of disappointment had begun to crawl out of the woodwork to haunt him. ] It has surely been an unexpected turn of fate.

[ Much like right now, with the two of them cooperating against all odds, truly working towards a common goal. Even now, the thought still feel surreal to him. ]

[tosa]

Hey, hey! (Where did this come from?! Guess who prioritizes downing his sake over everything else? This guy!! He stumbles out of his seat and shoots Guren a look,) How d'ya slip standing still!?

(Guren!! They were having a moment!!! Moment over? Moment over!!)

Had too much to drink?

(He's going to cut the tap!!!)

[osteotome]

[ Without skipping a beat at the offense taken: ]

It looked like a fight would happen. But I'm glad to be wrong.

[ He stares at the finger keeping the paw from his face for a moment, but then remembers to adjust his hold on the tanuki to prevent climbing... or maybe have her sit a little more comfortably in his arms, that's should work. ]

she was probably looking for food. Brother liked to lure her out... Ah, maybe pipe foxes are too helpful to appear, so we get a tanuki?

[ This is obviously a sound line of logic? ]

[windeity]

What? I wasn't even there!

[passio]

[ it’s romantic, if only for the novelty of it—dextera smiles. something from a vending machine, is it? he should let guren pick, though he’s confident that it’s going to be some kind of soda. ]

You have money?

[tosa]

She started it.

(Yes. This is super mature but in Mutsu's defense, Honebami actually is older so who is he really, really trying to impress? When Honebami explains, Mutsu is quiet for a moment. Hmm,)

So she's hungry? (Well, they're in the garden so it would make sense if she was looking for food...) I'm not really complaining, she just could've been a little friendlier with the greeting.

(Of course, he'd prefer Konnosuke but he'll settle for a tanuki if he has to. She still didn't have to jump at his face!!)

[parodeity]

It was just after Rose saw you in that dream bubble. I wanted to hear all about it but she had a thing with Kan and then got testy when I asked to go with to get the details. [ still massively unfair rose got to see his bff first tbh ]