Akira Kurusu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theshowsover) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
awashlogs2018-09-03 10:37 pm
theshowsover) wrote in awashlogs2018-09-03 10:37 pm
Entry tags:
[Open/Mingle] Grand Opening!
Who: Akira & you!
Where: A building in Ruga, converted into a cafe
When: early September
What: Akira is opening a cafe!
Warnings: None right now
[Akira has put quite a bit of work into this over the last month (alongside Akechi, his unlikely but earnest helper), and now he's pretty confident about opening. It's what used to be a store in Ruga, but Akira has moved out the worst of the shelving and replaced it with tables and chairs. The counter has been cleaned up and converted into a bar, with Akira's siphons already bubbling with water he fetched from the well at the end. Jars and bags of coffee are set on shelves behind the counter, procured from Leblanc during the time the portals were open. Though the stock is a bit sparse for a truly functioning cafe, it's better than nothing. Akira also took his old apron, which he keeps on a hook when he isn't wearing it.
There's also a couch in the back for people to sit on, and at the front, sitting on its own stand, is a guest book, made for him by Akechi, with an old ink quill waiting next to it for people to sign.
He arrives early the first day, after sending out an announcement over the network. Time for business.]
[OOC: Feel free to make your own top levels in the cafe!]
Where: A building in Ruga, converted into a cafe
When: early September
What: Akira is opening a cafe!
Warnings: None right now
[Akira has put quite a bit of work into this over the last month (alongside Akechi, his unlikely but earnest helper), and now he's pretty confident about opening. It's what used to be a store in Ruga, but Akira has moved out the worst of the shelving and replaced it with tables and chairs. The counter has been cleaned up and converted into a bar, with Akira's siphons already bubbling with water he fetched from the well at the end. Jars and bags of coffee are set on shelves behind the counter, procured from Leblanc during the time the portals were open. Though the stock is a bit sparse for a truly functioning cafe, it's better than nothing. Akira also took his old apron, which he keeps on a hook when he isn't wearing it.
There's also a couch in the back for people to sit on, and at the front, sitting on its own stand, is a guest book, made for him by Akechi, with an old ink quill waiting next to it for people to sign.
He arrives early the first day, after sending out an announcement over the network. Time for business.]
[OOC: Feel free to make your own top levels in the cafe!]
no subject
Wow, this counter sure is dirty! Here, give him a moment while he tries to scratch off a speck of dirt with his fingernail.]
Are you inviting me for a sleepover?
[He's going to scar the wood at this rate.]
no subject
Calling it a sleepover sounds a little childish, I would say. [ A chuckle. ] Besides, that usually involves more than one guest, and that's...
[ A quick pause for suspense, as he raises his cup to his lips again. ]
... not quite what I had in mind.
[ And he takes a sip, very casual. Like he hasn't just implied he means Akira only. ]
no subject
Akechi hasn't even given him a definitive answer yet, and now this? It's more than a boy can be expected to handle.
Well, if Akechi wants to play hardball, Akira can rise to the challenge.
He takes a moment to close his eyes, and when he opens them again, his bashfulness has abated somewhat. In its place is a glint of hardness and mystique; qualities he usually only has in the Metaverse.
He reaches up, casually, and slides off his glasses, lowering them so he can slowly wipe the lenses with his shirt hem. His eyes stay on his work at first.]
Well, if it's something more private you want...
[And suddenly, his gaze lifts back up, to lock with Akechi's. Firm, but wild, and a little dangerous.
Definitely a little more Joker.]
...I'd be happy to oblige.
no subject
That's... Akechi knows that face. It's one he has seen quite often before, but not so much lately-- enough that he had almost forgotten it was still there, dormant within Akira. That wild side of him, predatory, capable of committing sinful things for the sake of his ambitions... That side that is nothing like the pliable, quiet school boy he'd come to know. The part of him that is almost like a completely different person.
That's Joker, true and solid even without a mask and an outfit. Joker, with all his arrogant confidence and his lust for danger, always prepared to take what he wants, strong and decided and unyielding-- and even the thought of that is enough to send a shiver down his spine and heat up his face. Akechi really likes that. Really likes him.
But ultimately, whether he's wearing a mask or glasses, a soft smile or a madman's grin, that is still the same person, isn't it? That is all still... Akira.
... oh. ]
Ah--
[ Shit. ]
Very well.
[ He clears his throat, straightens himself up in his seat. How long had he been staring at him without so much as a sound-- other than the thumping of his own heart? Oh, shit. ]
I'll let you know when I'm ready.
[ Shit. ]
no subject
Akira can't help but grin in triumph, and the grin is just as wild as it ever is in the Metaverse, any time his prey crumbles under his knife or the might of his magic.
But this time, his prize is entirely different. A flustered Akechi - definitely a rare sight.
But as suddenly as it begins, the spell is ended - Akira puts on his glasses again, and it's almost like thatAkira never existed.]
I'm looking forward to it.
no subject
Drinking up the last of his coffee, he stands up and makes his way to the back, empty mug in hands; it's not standard practice for a customer to wash their own dishes, let alone a VIP, but this isn't a standard cafe, either, so it should be okay. It can be his payment for the drink, even though he has contributed quite enough as it is.
He'll take the excuse, anything to get that bit of distance from Akira, and let his heart lull itself back to a more subdued state. ]
I'm sure Lupin-san would appreciate your visit, as well. [ A change of topic might help, so Akechi latches on to it as he runs his cup by some dishwater. ] He seems to be under the impression the two of you are related...
no subject
He stays where he is at the counter instead, wondering why there's space between them. Did he push too far? Maybe Akechi isn't as sure of their relationship yet, after all...]
...That's my fault.
[Akira fiddles with his bangs self-consciously. It's a good thing the cafe is otherwise empty by now...]
I didn't know how to explain the whole "Persona" thing. So when he said I felt familiar to him, I said it was because we're distantly related.
no subject
He remembers Lupin's words, asking him if he wanted to be the person who makes Akira happiest, if he wanted to be special... And of course he does. That's what he's ever wanted. But is this simply about his desperate need for love, or is it that he wants Akira's love...?
Still, he remains without an answer. He needs some more space, some more time. ]
I thought it might be something along those lines. Are you not planning to tell him the truth, though?
no subject
I will. I just... haven't found the right moment yet.
[He fidgets with the edges of his apron for a moment.]
He seems... happy, to have a family. I almost hate to tell him the truth now.
[He doesn't want to disappoint him.]
no subject
I can understand why. He hasn't told me, but I think he never had a family, either. Naturally, the thought of having a descendant of some sort would be appealing to him.
[ And that's something Akechi can say with some authority. If he had any blood relations that he could get along with, that could care about him... Yes, he would definitely latch on to them. ]
I do think you should tell him, though. He's a very understanding man. And besides--
[ He sets his now clean mug aside, a vacant look falling upon the porcelain surface. ]
The longer you keep lying, the harder it will be to face the truth when it inevitably comes out.
[ And maybe this, too, is a topic Akechi has some authority on. ]
no subject
Maybe they can avoid that. But he's not sure, now. If they venture further down this road... can he really keep it a secret forever?
But they're talking about Lupin right now. So he focuses on that.]
I know.
[He sighs softly, starts taking his siphons off their frames to rinse them out for the end of the day.]
I'll do it soon.
no subject
But, since it's Lupin they're (officially) talking about: ]
For what it's worth, as much as he'll be likely disappointed, I don't believe he will hold it against you. He's rather forgiving.
[ A pause and he turns to Akira, a small smile playing on his lips. ]
I suppose you take after him.
[ They were both willing to forgive him for shooting at them; perhaps they would both be willing to forgive lies. ]
no subject
He smiles back a little in turn.]
Imagine that.
[And though he knows what Akechi really means, he can't help but wish that it were true, even if the connection he and Lupin do have, though not traditional, is still very strong and very real.]
...You know... I know the Arsene in here [He touches his heart lightly.] and the Lupin in this town are really the same person, across whatever multiverse magic is happening here. But it's... different. I can't have a conversation with this Arsene, I can't sit down and have a meal with him, like I can with Lupin-san.
[He searches out Akechi's eyes, to see if he understands.] It's like getting close to someone you've always known.
[Then he shakes his head.] Maybe you'd understand better if Robin Hood showed up. [Or, you know, Loki...]
no subject
It must be like getting to know your own heart.
[ And of course, when he thinks about his own heart, it's not Robin Hood that comes to mind. If he had the chance to meet Loki, like a real person, standing before him, what would it be like? Would they even get along, or would they just be too much of the same person, jaded and chaotic and traitorous to even make friends? Would he be willing to betray even his other self...? ]
But, as much as I would like to understand what makes him so-- [ Unstable and resentful and filled with feelings of inferiority and-- ] --heroic, I don't think getting to know Robin Hood would be quite the same for me as it for you and Lupin-san. After all, Arsene is only one among the many others you have access to. One of the many different sides of your soul...
[ And of course, he's nothing like that, himself, absolutely not, not huh. ]
no subject
[Of course, he knows this is a bit of a lie - though he has been wondering, for a while now, if Loki and Robin Hood are really all he can summon. Maybe that's all Akechi let him see, but he has dozens of other Persona, just like Akira.
Or maybe those two are the only two. Is it because that's all there is to him, the chaotic and the heroic? Or is it because he never formed strong bonds, and so never awakened to his truest natures...]
Either way, I think it would be interesting, don't you?
no subject
[ Hah. If only.
But, if there's one thing that Akechi hasn't lied about is that what Akira has seen is as far as he gets; as he is right now, and even at the time they ultimately part ways, Robin Hood and Loki are all Akechi can summon. And it's mostly by choice, too. Until he had to play the role of Crow, he had never seen the need for any more Personas; Loki had always been by his side, and for better or worse, that was enough.
It makes him wonder, too. Would things be different, now that he has bonds to awaken and power up his own infinite potential...? Hmm. ]
I do agree, though, it would be interesting-- even more so if more of your Personas showed up.
[ Because he's so varied! And versatile! Akechi has never, ever seen anything like that, wow!! ]
So, tell me. What other relatives of yours should I be on the look out for?
no subject
[Boy, that would be... something to explain to everyone. He's glad he can't summon it right now, actually. But anyway... He thinks about the question a little harder.
He's not lying when he says most aren't really human, but there are a few, like...] I have Oberon with me now, and there's also Titania, the fairies. Then there's a couple different gods, Japanese, Hindu, Greek, Egyptian, Norse... Some angels, some yokai, that sort of thing.
[It's a lot!]
no subject
That's quite the extended family you have.
[ Because of the whole deal with being related to Lupin and all, just a light jab at Akira's troublesome lie. But while they're talking about that... ]
Do you ever feel like it's too much? Knowing that so many different entities, sometimes even polar opposites, are all a part of yourself... [ A sigh, followed by a small laugh. ] If it was me in your position, I think I'd feel rather lost. As though I couldn't even begin to understand who I truly am.
[ You know. A purely hypothetical "if". ]
no subject
But the question is a valid one, so much so that he wonders why others haven't really asked him that. Maybe they just don't want to pry... or maybe he doesn't open up enough that they feel like they can.]
...I don't know.
[He looks down, tapping his fingernails on the countertop as he gives the question some thought.]
I mean, I guess in some ways... it's a little overwhelming, to think I might have that many facets of myself. I'm still trying to learn who I am, just like we all are.
[He shrugs.] Sometimes I look at one and think, that can't really be part of me, can it? But maybe it is. And maybe it isn't, at least not right now. I'm still figuring it out.
no subject
I understand.
[ It's not just an empty platitude, either. He truly does understand-- truly relates to it on a personal level. ]
But, figuring yourself out... that's not quite the same for you as it is for everyone else, is it? Knowing that malicious demons and wrathful gods are such a direct part of your heart, doesn't that place you at odds with your sense of righteousness? Doesn't that make you scared you might succumb to the worst of yourself...?
[ Because Akechi surely has. And lately, he's been thinking that might have been a choice that he regrets. ]
no subject
[But how can he be sure? He can't pretend he's never had the occasional vengeful thought, never considered using his powers for greed, for fame, for his personal feelings. Those are the ugly things inside him bubbling to the surface, trying to convince him that because he was wronged, it's okay to wrong others.
And isn't that a universal experience?]
I don't think... anyone starts out bad. I don't think anyone starts out good, either. I think it's possible for anyone to get consumed by their demons, or to overcome them.
So... I try to focus on what's good, and not think too much about the bad. And let my friends guide me when I might be wrong.
We've made our share of mistakes. [They got far to wrapped up in the fame, in their own self-righteousness, there for awhile, and it backfired on them.] I'll probably make a lot more. But... I'm not scared. Not of that, anyway.
[He's more scared that he can't stop anyone else's demons from consuming them.]