awashlogs | thief quest

[ Worried about him, huh...? He's been hearing a lot of that, lately, more so than he's ever heard in his entire life. It really isn't a bad feeling - now that he can even feel anything again - but it can get overwhelming, for someone who wasn't used to it.

Still, keeping an eye out on him, visiting him and even making sure he was still eating - he does appreciate everything both Lupin and Caramia have done for him when he was out of commission. He may not get it, but there's a chance these two might be exceptions to the rule as he knows it. ]

I... apologize for having worried you. [ He offers in a softer voice, and this much is genuine. ] And I'm grateful that you took care of me, both of you. But I assure you, I will be fine. This time, I will not fail.

[ Even if he has to split from the group so he can use his Persona, but. Shh. ]

As for completing this quest, I have access to a bow and arrows. [ Again, technically not a lie, since he's got Robin Hood and all. ] But of course I am willing to hear both Lupin-san's and Caramia-san's expertise on the matter.

[ He scowled a bit at Lupin's words, straightening himself out to make himself appear a little bigger. ]

I don't think I'm a hunter-- I am a hunter! Naturally speaking, but against wolves, guns definitely help...

[ Not that he wanted to use anymore ammo than he already had back in the forest exploration, but... Well, if he had to, then there was nothing to be done about it. Plus, Akechi mentioned something about arrows? Much better than a gun, or at least, in terms of it's ammo. Once you fire a bullet, there was no getting it back, after all.

However, this was briefly ignored in favor of Akechi's previous statement, wherein Caramia slipped himself between these two dorks, immediately tugging them both closer to fling his arm around their shoulders. Look at this bonding time! Such family, much bond. ]

Well, even so, it doesn't hurt to have a little support, right?? We'll be there to make sure things go smoothly. [ He gave a small nod towards Lupin. ] Right, mon ami?

[ He sported a chipper grin to top it all off! Someone take this boy's optimism away from him. ]

Edited (Fixed the phrasing because I wasn't happy with it.) 2018-04-13 21:51 (UTC)

[ this is slightly more familiar than he'd like, but he doesn't shake Caramia off this time, at least... just don't try and throw him again. ]

Right! You'll be fine because you've got us with you. It's dangerous out here for a man on his own - even me.

[ That said... He does glance over at Akechi somewhat curiously. A bow and arrows isn't exactly something you can hide, and he doesn't see anything like that on Akechi's person, nor does he remember seeing them at their house. Does he have something like Dave's sylladex, perhaps? Lupin's beginning to wonder if his world is the only one without weird magic in it. ]

In any case - a bow and a gun? That's encouraging. I suppose that leaves me to be the bait.

[ It's not that Akechi doesn't catch that very suspicious glance, or that he doesn't have a perfectly fine answer to Lupin's unspoken question - Akechi is carrying his attaché case with him, after all, so for all intents and purposes, this is where he's currently hiding his weapon - but then Caramia is tugging him closer, and his roommate as well, like somehow they were all so casually familiar, and it throws him off track again. He may be starting to get used to Caramia's antics, but it doesn't mean he's ever really prepared for them. ]

Bait? [ He furrows his brows, displeased at the implication-- and perhaps it wasn't all just for show. ] I thought we were going to keep looking until we found one. What do you say, Caramia-san? Do you really think that is absolutely necessary?

[ ... assuming he actually knows the first thing about hunting and isn't just his usual stupidly optimistic self about it, that is. ]

[ Rude! Y'all stop picking on him, damn it, he's a lion! Of course he can hunt. Of course, when he was a lion, it was usually just for things like... rabbits and squirrels. Y'know, small things. He was too afraid of anything else.

Now, though? Now he hunts people. Which were arguably way scarier than beasts. That said, his version of hunting is a little more... primitive than what might've been accepted here, as told by the look he gave Lupin. ]

Bait...?

[ He shook his head. ]

I'm completely against the idea. We're hunting, not fishing. Unless you intend on wrestling with them and biting their throat out, but your teeth are much too blunt for that, signore. [ The downfall of human teeth. Boy is he glad he still had his lion fangs. ] Anyway, we need to find them first, but... it really is no harder then just shooting them.

Oh! But... we should make sure there's no more than...

[ Caramia paused, releasing both the boys from his hold to reach down to his holster. Pulling out his pistol and dropping down the chamber, he counted how many shells he had left from the unfortunate run-in from his forest expedition... ]

...eight of them. [ He pushed the chamber back in. ] Suona bene?

[ Lupin sighs, shaking his head at the both of them. ]

I'm not going to be biting the wolves, you savage. I don't intend on fighting them at all. Your bullets and arrows are far more useful for that than anything I have on me.

[ he does have his cane, but the hidden blade installed into it is for self-defense in the most dire of situations rather than actually attacking anything. ]

But you won't be able to use them if we don't find them, and I very much doubt they want to be found. Hence, bait. I'll bring them to us instead.

[ As much as he's an idiot who will go as far as suggesting they use their teeth to take on the wolves, Akechi has to agree with Caramia: he can't let Lupin go on his own to be used as bait. That would stand in direct opposition to his plans, that is to say, that Akechi ventures further into the woods alone, so he can be free to use his Persona and get the job done. It is what he came here to do, and he will not allow anyone to stop him this time.

(There might be some other feelings at play here, a reasonable fear for Lupin's safety that he doesn't really want to acknowledge. The only one Akechi cares about is himself. That is the way it should be.) ]

I must disagree. [ He addresses his roommate again, polite but with a firm look in his eyes. ] While it's true one of us should lure the wolves in, Caramia-san is right in saying no one should be used as bait. And in that case, I propose that one of us should go ahead and attract the wolves while the other two wait, ready for the ambush. I believe that person should be one with access to a weapon-- the means to fight, in case he can't outrun the wolf and bring him to where the others are.

[ And he knows this is the part the other two will strongly oppose, probably, but he has to. ]

And since coming on this quest was originally my idea, I'll be the one to go.

[ So rude!!!!! He doesn't go knocking on your lifestyles, guys, come on. ]

Still, as amusing as it would be see you trying to entice them, there's other options for bait. Especially since they're likely to be in a pack, and I don't rightly want to see you trying to outrun some hungry mutts.

[ "Lures" and "Bait". Honestly. Hunting's gotten so complicated. Whatever happened to chasing your prey down and taking them out like that? Run and gun! That's how he was used to doing things, anyway. Still, when Akechi spoke up, Caramia's playful tone died. ]

Oi, didn't you... just exactly describe bait? [ Just in "prettier" words. Caramia's still gonna pout at him. ] Especially knowing that there are worse things than just wolves out here, anyone being alone could end up worse for wear. I was lucky that I got out of this place with nothing more than a broken arm last time. [ Which has healed remarkably, by the way! Thanks, Maribelle. ]

[ most everyone he hung out with back home was well-aware of his competence - not to toot his own horn, but he had a knack for wriggling out of even the most precarious predicaments. Being met with concern like this is... touching, yes, but equally frustrating. Seems like he'll have to earn their trust.

He can get back to that once he talks Akechi out of doing this instead. Honestly, they were just talking about not getting him into more danger! Unlike Caramia, Lupin doesn't pout, but he does shake his head at the younger boy, speaking with an air of finality. ]

No way. If you're worried about me doing it, I guarantee it would go worse for you. I do this kind of thing all the time.

[ Akechi heaves a sigh, equally frustrated, and though unaware of the fact, in a very similar position to Lupin's - perfectly capable, yet causing needless concern (that he actually does enjoy, on a different level). It's a conundrum, and if it keeps up, they - or rather, Akechi will never get anywhere. And he's not about to fail yet another mission, either, so there is only one way out of this.

He's going to have to betray their trust. ]

Very well. [He fake concedes with a nod, already shifting gears to adjust to his new plan. ] Although I still don't think we should all go at once, either, so we have at least agreed on this much by majority vote.

[ Sorry, Caramia. If it helps, he was never really planning to let either of these guys actually come along with him all the way through; their attention and concern really was moving, but this is something he needs to do on his own. ]

And, since it is my understanding you both have concerns about me going on my own, all that is left is to figure out which of you is better suited to be my chaperone. [ A hand to his chin, hmmm. ] On the one hand, Caramia-san is the more experienced hunter, but Lupin-san has expertise in a variety of areas. This will make for a hard decision...

[ If this is enough to cause another battle of egos, that would be exactly the result Akechi wants: a diversion. ]

[ This is fine. He's going to be upset about it, but it's fine. Just. Let Caramia wrestle with a wolf, guys, it'll be great. Alas, they seems so fond of just luring a wolf in, rather than finding their den or something like that! It might've been a little more risky, but they'd reasonably get the jump on them in their own home, right?! Damn, why does no one these days want to do anything the fun way? ]

Reasonable concerns. [ He pointed out, very matter-of-factly. ] And does that really make it all that hard of a decision? I mean, you already said I was the more experienced hunter, and that is what we're doing.

[ Caramia was all to liable to fall for any bait, hook, line and sinker. Dangerous, really, as it meant he was very easily manipulated. Then again, that wasn't anything new. ]

[ similarly, Lupin doesn't even suspect Akechi of a thing. Normally, he's carefully on guard, reading people to try and avoid getting tricked, but at the moment, he's focused on the forest's tricks - not the people around him. And Akechi is such a sweet, forthright boy that, naturally, he doesn't suspect he'd try to pit them against each other on purpose. Or run away from them, for that matter. He's just feeling relieved he got at least one member of the gang to back down...

The other one is going to be harder, though. He raises an eyebrow at Caramia. ]

All right, Mr. Experienced Hunter. What's your plan, exactly? Run up to them and bite them, wasn't it?

[ Sweet and forthright? Well, that's exactly what Akechi wants to be seen as, and as such, he's already engineering excuses to later justify this small betrayal: a sound coming from deeper in the woods, their inability to come to an agreement, and a well-meaning albeit impulsive teenager dashing to action, for everybody's sake. It would have to work.

So he allows them a moment longer of petty arguing, takes a step back or two every time they get distracted, until finally he sees his opening and seizes it, rushing off ahead into the deeper areas of the forest without a word of warning. His silence is only broken when he's far enough, and it's safe to call out his Persona, his entire outfit taking on a different shape. Finally, he can feel competent again, and maybe compensate for being a useless husk for so long.

He does look back, though, just for a second or so, and wonders if those two will be fine. Looks like he'll have to take their word for it. ]

Aw, you're just upset that's a valid option for me.

[ Of course, he's not paying any mind to Akechi. He may have impeccable senses, but it's amazing what one can miss when they're not paying attention. ]

Anyway, I wouldn't want to dirty my suit. My consigliere would probably kill me if I tried to, really. He's pretty fussy about stuff like that. [ For... some reason.

He kept his playful smile up with Lupin (who was surprisingly easy to talk to like this-- it was nice) for some time. Their bantering might've been fruitless for now, but Caramia certainly thought it was fun. Besides, it's not like they were in any hurry-- taking down some wolves seemed like a piece of cake!

...Until there was eventually a glance back to where Akechi was. Or... rather, where he should have been. ]

...Ah? [ Not good. ] W-where did-- [ World's worst adults right here. How could they not notice a teenage boy disappearing? There's a not-so-subtly-panicked look at Lupin. ]

Where's Akechi?

[ how is "getting my suit dirty" somehow less sensible than "literally biting a mutant wolf," Caramia?? It's easy to see how Lupin can get drawn into this little spat - he deals with his moronic best friend every day, true, but at least Impey usually makes a little bit of sense. This guy seems slightly off his rocker.

(He has to wonder about all the terms he keeps throwing around, and the Italian thing, too... But it wouldn't be good for him to make assumptions like that with so little evidence.)

The moment the other man's attention leaves, Lupin's does, too, and he instantly realizes his mistake. ]

-- Dammit. Is it this forest again? [ A generous conclusion, but he still doesn't think Akechi is the type to simply leave them. It leaves them in a difficult situation, however - finding him, or getting out before something happens to them, too.

Of course, there's really only one choice. ] ... Hopefully, he hasn't gone too far. Stick close to me - we don't want to get separated, too.

[ Oh, but has made it pretty far-- it may not be quite like the Metaverse, but cognition must still hold some power over this world, if Akechi can get a boost in agility and speed in his Phantom Thief outfit.

He travels light, fast, and though it isn't a den like Caramia had planned, he does eventually come across a wolf-- or something that could probably pass for one, at least, by this place's standards. Is it really that creature the one he's been seeking? Well, he doesn't get a whole lot of time to ponder; the wolf is on its lonesome, an actual wild beast that has been cornered, and the only way is forward:it goes for the attack. ]

Robin Hood! [ His persona materializes in a flashes, and just as swiftly it deals damage with a single Eiga, rays of dark energy that could easily consume even a Shadow, but thankfully this time it leaves a body behind. Very useful, considering what the quest really entails.

With that out of the way, he casts away his powers, his outfit shifting back to the usual tan jacket-- that he promptly removes, before approaching the fallen beast. Now he needs to actually get a tooth, and without any tools, this might get ugly, but if there's no other way, better get down to it.

This is when the other two would be very useful, really. ]

[ Look, Lupin, sometimes you just have to accept things like that. Caramia frowned at the mention of the forest, thinking to himself. Surely, he would've heard something new drawing closer. Sure, he was a little distracted, but-- well, they were hunting, and he had to be on some alert for something like that.

But there was the possibility that it wasn't something he could hear, and... He frowned. ]

It's... not unlikely, I suppose. [ He sounded quite distressed, really. This is why they were so worried about you to begin with, Akechi. Honestly...

There wasn't a moments hesitation for Lupin to even finish speaking before Caramia took Lupin's wrist (he DID say to stick close, right?) and pulled him rather quickly in the only direction he could imagine Akechi had gone off in without either of them noticing. Hopefully, he could pick up on his scent or... something. ]

[ it really is. Frankly, Lupin's feeling deeply irritated that he let Akechi slip through his fingers like that. Just a moment of distraction was enough for these damned woods to play tricks on him - Arsène Lupin, France's greatest trickster? It's absolutely shameful, especially after how he'd criticized others for not being careful when they entered this place.

But he can worry about his damaged pride later once they've found him again. He glances at the hand around his wrist briefly before he's being tugged along - although that doesn't last long, Lupin grunting in annoyance and keeping pace with him. (It's kind of lame, but at the same time, there's merit in staying physically attached... And Caramia figured out the right direction to go in, too.) ]

... Probably a bad idea to call out for him.

[ they'd just be asking for trouble doing that; Lupin's starting to understand what sort of place this town is. Instead, he keeps his mouth firmly shut, listening closely for any sounds of scuffles or voices in the grayscale forest. ]

[ Meanwhile, Akechi is deeply irritated he gets stuck with the actual dirty work again (as usual), and this time it is made worse by the fact that he has actual, literal blood in his hands. Disgusting, really.

The extraction job takes him a little while, since all he's got for tools are rocks and the strength of his arms-- though the blow from his persona surely helped with loosening up the wolf's jaw and bones. But finally, he takes what he came here for, a wolf tooth, a couple extra for good measure. That way, he'll at least have something to appease Caramia and Lupin with, once they inevitably find him.

Speaking of which, he does pick up on some subtle noise, steps coming from the direction he had followed earlier. So he stands up and moves closer towards the sound, and what he hears next are... voices? Could it be them...? ]

Definitely. [ Who knows what else they were bound to attract if they started calling out loudly in the middle of the forest like a bunch of idiots? Honestly, they might as well have been screaming "HEY, FOREST, SEND YOUR FINEST MONSTERS! RIGHT HERE!" or something like that.

Caramia didn't notice (or, more likely, ignored) Lupin's noises of annoyance, still opting to hold onto his wrist. He had to focus on looking for the one boy, he couldn't risk losing the other. (New rule: everyone needed to hold hands when they went into the forest, apparently...!)

Fortunately for them, they wouldn't be looking for too terribly long. Not long enough for them to worry... more so than the initial worry, anyway. And unfortunately for Akechi, he was bound to get quite a scolding. Maybe not immediately, but it was bound to come.

It was almost funny, seeing Akechi come out of the thick, simply because of the mish-mash of emotions he felt from seeing him. Worry, relief, frustration... Was that blood? It smelled like blood. (His blood? Jesus.) He doesn't even let go of Lupin to rush over to their friend, so he's getting dragged along, too, for this frustrating reunion. ]

Akechi! [ Caramia's expression said "We were so worried!", but his eyes said "Where did you GO?!" He'd finally release his hold, only to switch it to their little runaway with a hug. ] Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened?! [ Of course he's not okay! That's BLOOD, damn it! ]

Don't worry, we'll get you back to town and, Lupin, we need anti-septics and bandages, and- I think Maribelle can heal any wounds and you're going to be okay...!

[ Admittedly... this might have been a bit of an overreaction. ]

[ the buddy system has never failed ]

Akechi? -- Oi, let go!

[ they are extremely fortunate they actually found him again, in Lupin's book, but the sigh of relief he would let out is stifled, and not just by the fact that Caramia continues holding onto him for longer than he'd like. The sight of him covered in blood doesn't exactly bring him any comfort. For a moment, his heart constricts in fear. When Caramia goes in to hug him, he almost stops him from doing that, too - in case the damage is truly bad.

But once that initial horrifying impression is over with, he quickly glances over the boy's vital areas that he can see - neck, chest, shoulders, thighs - and comes to a different conclusion. ]

-- Relax. That's not his blood. Not most of it, anyway. [ despite saying "relax," he's still looking at Akechi with a rather hard gaze, his voice urgent. ] What happened?

[ ... ah. In all honesty, Akechi did expect some kind of overreaction, especially from Caramia, but he's never fully prepared for that-- never prepared for people caring so much. It's... very odd, and maybe it's all a lie, but it's one he might want to believe in.

Hugs are definitely still a little too much for him to handle, though. ]

A-ah, please don't worry, I'm fine...! [ He gives Caramia's arm an awkward pat, a feeble attempt at offering reassurance, though also hoping for a quick release. It's kinda hard to rationalize when you're being squeezed like this. ] This really is mostly wolf blood, like Lupin-san pointed out.

[ And speaking of Lupin, Akechi tries to address his question next-- and hopefully Caramia has let go of him by now, so he can offer a proper explanation. ]

I thought I heard voices coming from deeper in the woods. At first it sounded like someone was in trouble, so I... acted on a reckless impulse and rushed in without a second thought. [ His gaze has dropped to the floor, ashamed of his actions. ] For that, I apologize. I really should have told you both.

[ There was a bit of hesitation to letting Akechi go- as if maybe he'd just run off if he did so. A silly thought, in hindsight, but it wasn't as if that were something terribly uncommon. (Teenagers, am I right?) He did eventually release him, however, with the little bit of coaxing. Ignore the fact he's still very much pouting about the situation as a whole.

It certainly doesn't go away when he explained himself, either. In fact, Caramia knitted his brows together skeptically. How would Akechi have heard something that he didn't? Could've been his mind playing tricks on him, certainly, but that seemed unlikely. Maybe it was just the forest doing it's weird... thing...? Whatever the case, it didn't settle well with him, because none of the answers he could think of were particularly pleasant. ]

... We're glad you're safe. [ He's sure he could speak for Lupin on that regard. ] Normally, I'd say "what's done is done", but... promise us you'll not off and do something like that again. This forest tends to keep people separated.

[ he can indeed speak for Lupin - mostly because Lupin's only response is a heavy, exasperated sigh. Luckily for Akechi, he's not really the scolding type, if only because he's constantly getting into trouble, himself. Still, it's apparent he's not happy about what happened in the least. ]

I'm proud of your heroic instincts and all, but we were just telling you not to do that. Like Caramia says, chances are this place was trying to split us up again. I know you know better than that.

[ That much is true. Akechi definitely should know better - which is, perhaps, why he's less warm and relieved than Caramia is. It's a fishy explanation. Lupin didn't hear anything. Unknowingly, his thoughts are along the exact same lines as Caramia's. For the time being, it's not really his place to question it - and he doesn't know why Akechi would be lying to him, either - but he's certainly going to remember this little incident. ]

[ Akechi can definitely sense some rising suspicion coming from the other two, and while he would rather earn their praises and attention, ultimately that doesn't really matter, in the grand scheme of things. He accomplished what he set out to do, his companions weren't endangered by his antics, and the three are reunited once again;he'll just have to work a little harder in order to dissipate their doubts. ]

I understand your concerns, but it seemed like the two of you had reached an impasse, and I couldn't stand idly and wait if there was someone in need. I promise I will not do something quite so reckless again, though.

[ At least, not when they're around. That's a good compromise, right? ]

Ah, but-- it seems that squirmish was one we could make a profit off of. [ He opens up his palm, displaying exactly three of those wolf teeth. Quest complete! ]

Someone did have a run-in with a wolf, but they left a body behind. It made grabbing these a lot easier than it might have been otherwise.

thief quest

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