tabularasa_rp | open to all; just ren things

[Akechi keeps his gaze on him a little longer, his eyes meeting Ren's as he weighs his words carefully. There's no way Akechi can be honest with Ren. Even if he wanted to, he can't lay that burden at his feet and expect him to keep working to defeat Maruki. Especially considering Ren hasn't seen that despicable reality for himself yet.

No. Ren can be as honest as he wants, but there are some things Akechi simply can't part with.]

Very well, [is what he says, though, russet eyes still on the other boy's.] Though allow me to remind you that there is a difference between things that would be detrimental to keep secret, and things that I keep to myself because they are personal. I trust we can agree to that sort of deal?

[Ren already knows so much more about him than any other person, living or dead. If he's going to reveal more, it's going to be on his terms, not just from Ren's doe-eyed ideals of "honesty."]

Likewise. It's a deal.

(He doesn't see himself sharing a lot of his own personal thoughts either. One would definitely argue that he should, specially to someone who actually knows and has seen a large portion of what he has been through.

He feels like his bond with Akechi strengthened, which probably is a good thing, right?)

Is there anything you'd like to ask, before we move on?

(Just so they don't stop to argue. Again.)

Hm.

[Instead of asking immediately, Akechi just starts walking again. There's a building that looks oddly familiar on the opposite side of the cavern, and there's no point standing still when they can start heading toward it.]

You brought up wanting to know the circumstances of my Awakening, [he points out.] And brought up the God of Control in the same breath. Can I take that to mean that god was more transparent with you? Either when you experienced your Awakening, or some time in the immediate aftermath?

Transparent is a strong word.

(Ren sticks his hands into his pockets while he walks alongside Akechi again, eventual glimpses to the other just to check his expression.)

I had a dream shortly before. He just said there was ruin to come and I was going to be "rehabilitated".

How cryptic. Well, I suppose it's a moot point.

[Ren's free to keep glancing toward him; his expression doesn't change much beyond a furrowing of his brows and a thin set of his lips. He's still angry, immeasurably so, from earlier, but it's leashed far more tightly. It doesn't look like the revelation has made it worse, anyway.]

After all, you had Morgana to explain things to you. More importantly-

[He points straight ahead. It's becoming clearer now the closer they walk toward it, little wisps of steam drifting out past the door.]

Wouldn't you say that looks familiar?

He didn't know anything about that at the time. I only met him after my Awakening, too.

(But he can recognize that having Mona helped him become more familiarized with the Metaverse, to the very least.

Mhm? The conversation was taking more of his attention to the environment, so when he finally makes the connection with what he was seeing, Ren perks up immediately.)

... The bathhouse?

Edited 2020-08-09 10:01 (UTC)

Whomever is creating this place seems to have an affinity for Yongen.

[An affinity for Yongen, or for Ren himself, considering that first Leblanc, and now a bathhouse remarkably similar to Yongen's appears to be here. In spite of himself, Akechi's steps quicken, just a hair. He's curious as to whether or not it's simply empty inside, like many of the buildings thus far.]

How very curious.

[Akechi casts a cursory glance over the laundromat, instead pushing open the door to the bathhouse itself. The showers are there, and the steam from beyond hints that the baths themselves are full and warm.]

(Ren has to tiptoe, but just a little. It's not like he doesn't see it, he just doesn't see the place well.

... Which calls for him to go inside desperately. After all, it's been all he was wishing for the past few days? Weeks?) Let's go in.

(If LeBlanc came in meshed, what could this be meshed with?)

Edited 2020-08-09 10:10 (UTC)

[It doesn't feel right, going past the changing room wearing shoes, but Akechi doesn't let that deter him. Though he won't admit it, he's equally as excited at the prospect of a warm bath, though it's tempered with the knowledge that they have no way of knowing if they're actually safe here. He's about to move on into the showers when-]

Ah? That's...

[A few quick strides, and he rips away an empty laundry basket that had been partially obscuring what looked like a sword's hilt. A rather distinctive-looking sword's hilt, that is, attached to an equally as distinctive sword.]

Well now. This is unexpected. Hold this, will you?

[He thrusts the torch back to Ren, finally. He has a sword he wants to pick up, but his hands are, as always, full!!]

(Definitely doesn't, but Ren is not taking off his shoes without feeling like it's safe to be comfortable.

It's when Akechi pauses his speech that Ren sees it - can it be? He narrows his eyes as he approaches for a better look. He'd recognize it anywhere - not just because of the flashy design. No disagreements there, he takes the torch and even leaves a hand open in case Akechi wants to entrust him with the suitcase as well.

At least one (01) piece of good news.)

You must be happy.

That a product of my cognition has made its way into this place without explanation?

[He frowns at Ren. He's pleased to have it, to be sure, but it raises more questions than anything else. Still, he takes the sword by the hilt and checks its sharpness. The dull red glow of the blade casts a faint shadow across his face, and after a beat, he closes his eyes, holding the sword in front of him.

Silence, then,] My Personas are still closed off.

[He lowers the sword, tip barely grazing the ground as he looks toward Ren and shakes his head.]

(No, idiot. That you don't have to keep taking turns on who does recon due to the lack of weapons. Ren rolls his eyes for a second.

He didn't know what Akechi was expecting - Ren's own was too, his knife didn't change that.)

Satanael is, too.

(Did Ren just implicitly tell Akechi only one of his endless list of Personas made it? Yes.)

How unfortunate. Though, I suppose it would be quite the wishful thinking to assume the presence of the sword is that important.

[He doesn't miss that implication at all, nor the name of the new Persona. An evolution of Arsene, perhaps? He gazes upon Ren's face thoughtfully, as if somehow the answer might be written there.]

You know, we never have spoken about our Personas at length... but perhaps now isn't the best time.

[After all, someone could be listening, and the caves could carry sound further than they'd like.]

(Akechi's analysis of his features doesn't go unnoticed, but there are no answers there. Just the typical, serious expression that tends to be on his resting face.)

It's up to you.

(As if they ever spoke about anything Persona related at length...)

Another time.

[He steps back, tests the weight of the sword in his hand. It feels like his old one, but he'll have to practice with it in a less-confined space to tell for sure.

He didn't have anyone to talk to about his Personas for a very, very long time. Like hell he was going to sit down with Shido and explain in-depth what he was capable of, though in the end, it hadn't mattered anyway. His lips thin into a line, and he just shakes his head.]

Let's check the rest of the lockers in here. There could be something useful.

(It's with a nod that Ren concedes. With the torch in hands, he takes calm, silent steps towards the lockers and searches his pockets for the pick. Not all of them seemed open, and the ones that were had no contents to them.

It's the locked ones that peak his attention. He spins the tool around his fingers while he decides which to open first. To the one chosen, Ren tries his best to light as the other skilled hand works on getting the lock to open. The first was empty as the others, but on the second one, an outfit comes into sight.

It's generic enough that he doesn't make the fast assumption that it's his, unlike Akechi's sword, which he could recognize a mile away. The coat that comes with it is one he doesn't recognize, either.

Ren holds the pick between his teeth to take the outfit out, just testing it for size. Maybe it is his winter outfit...)

[Akechi, meanwhile, can only try for the lockers that are already unlocked, but it doesn't stop him from checking. Somehow, he isn't surprised that Ren has his lockpick and can handily open whatever he wants. Good to know that made it here with him.

He can hear when he finds something, though, and turns with a curious hum.]

Oh? That's your jacket, isn't it?

[At least, as far as Akechi knows.]

Edited 2020-08-11 21:41 (UTC)

Is it?

(The jacket itself doesn't ring a bell, but everything else does, at least a little bit.)

I have this outfit, but it could be anyone else's, I think.

I'm certain I saw you wearing it, yes.

[Akechi crosses the room to take the jacket for himself, frowning as he examines it, then tosses it back.]

Try it on. If it fits, well. It's been a while since you've stolen anything. I'm sure you must miss it.

[And a bit of a smirk. Just can't help himself from getting in that dig.]

(Eye roll.

Ren pockets the pick, taking a good look at the coat in front of him, and the showers, and the coat.)

I'd like a shower first. I'll try it after recon.

[A shower, seriously? Though, now that he mentions it, when's the last time Akechi's gotten a proper shower... too long. At least they don't smell.

He rolls his eyes for now and shakes his head.]

Fine. I'll stand guard, I suppose.

[Would hate for anyone to jump him while he's naked, after all :) ]

(... Who asked for guard... Ren frowns a little, he's sure he said "after recon", which meant they could still walk around and return here later. Besides... Are those fish in the bath?)

You don't want to shower? (Just asking.)

I don't see any benefit to both of us being vulnerable at the same time.

[It's a curt dismissal.]

Besides, I doubt these washing machines work, and showering to only put the same clothes back on is hardly appealing.

I meant I'd keep guard as well.

(But sure. He has a very good point. Maybe he can find another outfit in the lockers?)

[Akechi just hums again and goes back to searching through the already-open lockers. Nothing interesting in any of those, and once finished, he leaves the remaining lockers to Ren and his lockpick and ventures further into the bathhouse.]

You know, [he observes casually, bringing his left hand to his chin contemplatively.] I'm fairly certain this is the same mural that's in the bathhouse across from Leblanc.

(no subject)

forethinking - 2020-08-15 12:54 (UTC) - Expand