awashlogs | Event Nine.

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Event Nine.

Thus, on Life’s gloomy sea,
Heareth the marinere
Voices sweet, from far and near,
Ever singing in his ear,
“Here is rest and peace for thee!”

t's a dark night, and the sounds of feet in the darkness are further dampened and hidden by even more magic, as they are lured away by the soft sounds of dreams that are too good to be true, leaving the Town much, much emptier than when it began.

On one side, an island, and a ticking clock to a gruesome death.

On the other, the slow realization that those bonds everyone has been forging might mean much, much more than they first thought.

Welcome to Awash's ninth 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. Please be sure to very clearly mark where your characters are in your prompts, so people know which they can tag depending on which group they are in. Thank you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...Sorry.

[He really doesn't have anything else to say to that. The sirens seem to have some magical sway over them, but that really isn't an excuse.]

I heard you all calling for me... I couldn't ignore it.

[He couldn't ignore his friends, those he hasn't seen for a long time, those here who he cares deeply for. He couldn't ignore Akechi, calling for him, using his name like he has only once before, but as Akira wants to hear again.

And so he had gone.]

[ Hah, of course. As usual, Akira had to go and play dumb hero, throw all caution to the wind-- and leave Akechi to pick up the pieces while completely disregarding his constant warnings. This is starting to grow into typical behavior, far too much for his liking. ]

You only heard people calling out to you? You didn't even see anyone?

[ As hard as he tries to keep his anger under control, there's still some that manages to slip into his words, mixed with disappointment. He knew the Phantom Thieves weren't particularly bright - Makoto being the closest thing to an exception - but to think Akira was this stupid? ]

Honestly, considering everything we have been through in this place, didn't it even cross your mind that it was all just another illusion?

[ Like Akechi himself has had to deal with before. Like he fell for, once, but learned from his mistake. ]

Maybe it did. I don't remember.

[Maybe it didn't. Maybe there's magic here, or maybe Akira was only careless.

He thinks, most likely, it was the latter. So he's going to stay quiet as he follows along, and let Akechi's anger wash over him.

He did the best he could on the island, trying to protect others, but the fact that he even let himself end up here in the first place... it's a failure, isn't it?]

... you don't remember.

[ Yes, it's definitely a failure. But more importantly, Akira's failure to stay safe also reflects on Akechi's ability to keep him safe-- reflects on his promise, the decision he came to after painstaking consideration and weighing in the pros and cons.

And while he doesn't expect Akira to understand just how big of a deal this is, for him to actively wish and try to protect the life of someone he might have to kill, the fact that he doesn't seem to care at all about Akechi's efforts sure does leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

If this is what a "friend" is supposed to act like, then it's no wonder Akechi prefers to be on his own. ]

Then what do do you remember of the night you were abducted?

...Like I said, I remember hearing all of you calling... I remember hearing you calling me, the most.

[Which is... perhaps a telling admission, but he goes ahead and lets it slip in there. As it is, he's tired and weak and lying feels silly right now, as they trudge through the water to the boats.]

I followed it out into the water... I began to sink. And then those things grabbed me, and I woke up here.

[And here he's been, until now.]

[ That is... definitely a telling admission, enough to have Akechi slow down in his tracks, until he comes to a complete halt, and gives him his profile from over his shoulders. ]

You heard me calling out to you?

[ Really, he could understand Akira being reckless over his friends, risking his life for the Phantom Thieves - both the ones that were currently in Chroma and otherwise - but him? The barely tentative friend who had all but ended his life not too long ago? How stupid is he? ]

Isn't that all the more reason why you should have been more careful?

[ Because Akechi doesn't need help. Because Akechi swore to protect him, instead. And maybe because of something else, too.

Maybe because, even know, Akira still shouldn't trust him. ]

[He shakes his head. Does he even have to answer that question?]

I keep telling you. I care about you, too... I want to help you. Of course I would go.

[If Akechi were calling out to him, he would answer in a heartbeat. His killing him, before... though it was hard to get over, it was more because of the parts of Akira's brain that still held on to that trauma, the way it still holds on to the needles in the interrogation room and the sound of Shido's voice. It wasn't because of Akechi himself.

He's chosen to forgive him, for the purpose of trying to move them past what happened back home, to maybe find an Akechi that can atone for his sins and hopefully, eventually, live a happy life on the other side.

And... the fact that Akechi's voice called him "Akira." That had been hard to ignore.]

I know you said you wanted to protect me... but I can't let this be one-sided.

[ Hah. He cares about him? He wants to help him? To protect him?

... as it turns out, Akira is even stupider than he thought. ]

Help me?

[ Honestly, he'd love nothing more than to scoff at that, at the notion that he needed help-- that he could still be helped. At an earlier point in his life, maybe, if only they had met sooner...

... but, there's no way that's what Akira means, so he keeps his bitterness at bay, safely concealed.

Instead, he draws out his gun. ]

From where I'm standing, you're the one who needs help.

[ And he lifts his arm, points the gun at Akira without another word. ]

[But that's just it: he can still be helped. Akira believes it with his whole heart and soul, and that's why he's standing here now. Staring down the barrel of Akechi's ridiculous ray gun, not flinching.

Let Akechi prove he can be helped, to himself if no one else.]

[ So Akira is just standing there, unwavering, and given past experience, Akechi can't be entirely sure this isn't just another act of recklessness, but... for now, he passes the test.

For now, he's showing trust in Akechi. And he doesn't plan to disappoint. ]

Don't move.

[ And that's all he says, before taking the shot-- not at Akira, but just in his direction instead, at a siren looming behind him. He aims straight for the forehead, and the beast dies without even the chance to exhale a final cry in agony.

... pity, that. ]

[He ducks a bit as blood and gore flies from the shot to the head, trying not to think too much about that part. It was so much cleaner, fighting in the Metaverse...

Instead, he keeps his eyes focused on Akechi. He hopes that whatever Akechi was looking for, he saw it.]

We should keep going.

[He takes a few more steps forward, and then adds:]

Yusuke is here, too.

[ And once more, Akechi has to fight the urge to say Yusuke is none of his concern; his promise and whatever willingness he could pull off in good faith only extended to Akira, and anyone else was on their own.

(Well. Aside from the one or maybe two other people Akechi was also worried about. Alas, one artsy boy did not have a spot in that select group.) ]

I know. [ He answers instead, only waiting until Akira has caught up to him before resuming his walk. ] My priority is to get you to safety, though. Since you cannot fight, and protecting two people at once would be too risky, there is little we can do about him at the moment.

[ Not that he... wants to do a lot, to be quite honest, but he's not about to add that out loud. Instead, he looks back at Akira in a last ditch attempt at reassurance. ]

If the others are unable to find him first, I'll go and look for Kitagawa-kun myself-- but not before I make sure you have capable fighters to watch over and defend you.

[ And that's about as much as he'll compromise. ]

[Akira wants to argue, but he can't deny that he doesn't have much ability to fight right now, and he knows this is probably the best he's going to get out of Akechi. So he lets it go for now, and simply follows along, obediently.

(It's annoying, but what can he do?)]

I'll hold you to that. [A pause, and he adds:] But thanks.

[It means a lot to him that Yusuke is safe too, after all.]

[ Heh, hold him to that? It's not exactly like Akira had much of a say in it, or even the right to go making demands when Akechi is already sacrificing so much just to be able to help him-- his time and stamina and whatever little emotional stability he had from holding on to plans that have been severely jeopardized by now.

But once again, he manages to keep it all to himself, bitten back like most of his anger. ]

There's no need to thank me. I am concerned about him, too; he is a teammate, after all.

[ But of course, these are just empty platitudes, for the most part, anyway. Akechi might not wish to see him dead, but he's also not particularly interested in expending any more effort to rescue Yusuke, either. He'll only do what's absolutely necessary.

Another minute later, the boats can already be seen from a distance, all lined up by the shore with only a handful of victims waiting inside-- and no one to guard them, it seems. Seriously, how is this conducive to keeping them all safe? ]

[He knows Akechi isn't concerned at all, but he just has to forget it for now. Hopefully, someone has found Yusuke by now and escorted him to the boats.

Speaking of, there they are. He's also concerned that it seems everyone has been left alone; right now, they're all defenseless.]

They can't use their powers, either. [Clearly meaning the victims in the boats.] We need some people back here to help them.

[More teamwork! Either way, he's going to keep moving toward the boats, feeling for his Persona. If he has to drag them up, that's just what he has to do.]

[ Mental sigh. Of course Akira would be more worried about everyone else than himself, and of course he just had to go and say the obvious, anyway-- that they all needed someone who's capable of fighting off the sirens.

The problem is, Akechi is currently the only one around who can pull it off. And he's fairly sure Akira knows this, too. ]

I am more than enough to handle however many more of those beasts are still left. I don't intend to leave until some of the others have returned.

[ Well, that was sort of the plan, anyway, except Akechi had originally only accounted for having to rescue Akira's sorry ass. But on the other hand, he also was planning to slay every last siren in this island like they had personally slighted him - which they had - so eh, he supposes he might as well play the role of hero while he's at it.

So he pauses, and takes another look at Akira from over his shoulder. ]

This might be a waste of my breath, but please do try not to do anything reckless while you can't fend for yourself.

Sure.

[He says, while still feeling around for Arsene, for Cerberus, for anyone. So far, not great; they're weak, and he doubts he could get much out of them right now.

He looks around the boats as they approach, feeling a bit dismayed.]

Did you guys bring any extra weapons?

[He knows he just said he wouldn't do anything reckless, but it's mostly his powers that are out of commission; other than not having slept or eaten well the last few days, he's in good enough physical condition to fight, if needed.

He's just not sure how much good he'd be against a Siren barehanded.]

[ That half-assed response is barely enough to convince Akechi, but it's a good thing he'll be sticking around to personally make sure Akira won't do anything stupid-- more so than usual, anyway. ]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but we have some daggers in our boat.

[ Really, other than general directions and a set date for setting off, Akechi didn't particularly pay attention to the greater rescue picture, figuring he would be better off following his own plans. ]

You will not so much as see them until you have had some fresh water and something to eat, however.

[ A stern leader!! ]

[Daggers, excellent. Makes sense, considering how many he and Guren have lying around...

He's already turned to find their boat when Akechi gives his next round of instructions, and Akira halts, hunching his shoulders. Part of him wants to just leave and do what he knows he needs to... but he's trying to atone to Akechi now, so he turns back.]

Do you have that?

[...Admittedly, fresh water and food sounds really good right now.]

[ Now he really, really needs to resist the urge to roll his eyes at that question, so he just closes them instead, and takes a deep breath. Seriously, what kind of amateur does Akira take him for? ]

Of course. [ And before Akira gets any ideas, he quickly adds: ] Unfortunately, it's not enough to share with all victims, but hopefully their closer acquaintances were also able to plan ahead and bring them rations.

[ He can see some idiot or another overloading their boats with people and weapons and food and then sinking halfway through the trip, but not Akechi. He's far too calculating, and possibly too uncaring for that. ]

Come. It's that one.

[ And he'll be leading Akira to the appointed boat-- it's nothing to brag about, but he's fine with sacrificing aesthetics for functionality. ]

[Akira follows along silently. He's not entirely thrilled about eating food that could go to someone worse off, but if it gets him the energy to defend the other victims, he'll take it.

And it's best not to test Akechi's patience further.

Once he gets to the boat, he goes ahead and sits in it, mostly so he's not wading in the water anymore. He's soaked enough.]

Nice boat.

[ Normally he'd answer that comment with a smile and some fake modesty, but right now, even this much feels like an insult, something said with the sole purpose of further pissing him off-- like a reminder that he even had to build this boat at all, to come after a bunch of idiots who allowed themselves to be charmed and led astray.

But, as enraged as he is, he can't act on it. So he just tries to take in stride.

(You know it's a terrible sign, when Akechi doesn't care about praise.) ]

I had been working on it alongside Kyrie-san for a while. [ Said as he gets on the boat, himself. There's a small basket in one end, and a bucket of fresh water next to it, so he opens it, retrieves an apple and tosses it over to Akira. Catch! ] It was only as a means to fulfill that quest, but once everyone disappeared, he found renewed motivation to finish it quickly.

[ He goes to grab the single mug they had brought along so he could fetch some of that water, but stops halfway through the process, suddenly pensive. ]

Caramia-san, too, was abducted, after all.

[ A fact that didn't affect Kyrie alone. ]

[Ah. Of course Akechi is worried about Caramia, too; the two seem to be close, at least if his appearance at Akechi's birthday party is any indication.]

...He shared some meat he caught with me the other day.

[Akira hasn't seen him since the direct assault by the sirens began, but he was alright at that time. Hopefully he's still making it.]

Did Kyrie-san go after him?

[ Akechi quickly turns at the revelation, but he just as quickly focuses back on the task at hand, dipping the mug in the bucket to fill it in with some water before handing it over to Akira.

(So Caramia is here, after all. Alive, at least the last time Akira saw him. He feels... relieved.) ]

He did, yes. [ He then takes a seat across from Akira, eyes still alert to their surroundings-- the water, especially. ] He doesn't have much in the way of special abilities, but he does have a gun. I trust they'll both return safely.

[ His eyes shift momentarily, from the ocean to the apple in Akira's hand, still untouched. And though he doesn't say much, his Look should be more than telling. Eat, you moron. ]

Isn't he a lion?

[Akira takes a bite of the apple after this question, then another. A drink of the water comes next. It feels good on his parched throat, and he's grateful that Akechi and the others brought all this.

He could have more to say about Caramia being a lion, but suddenly the apple and the water are a hundred times more interesting, so he'll just let Akechi talk if he wants to.]

Event Nine.

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