tabularasa_rp | [open] because i can only be me

[That's good to know. They seem like very different people in some ways, but it's good if they have something they can both enjoy together.]

Do you fight together, where you came from?

[He assumes that's what he means by working together, at least. Also, to Akechi,]

You found a sword. That's good.

On occasion.

(Together, as a team, together as rivals or together as trouble? That was way more than he'd care to share, unfortunately!)

(Akechi is such a pain.

After all this, he still manages to pretend this was such a normal conversation, like he hadn't just put Ren in such a do-or-die position... Not that he minded too much.

The compliment is received with a smile, albeit it's faint from how exhausted this conversation had left him. Promises, deals, expectations, talking. It felt refreshing to be honest with Akechi though, undoubtedly unaware of the web of lies that were presented to him.

For now, he just offers a quiet laugh and a shake of his head. Of course Akechi would leave him waiting - there's no way that's a glance and a mouth of indecision.)

See you, Akechi.

Eh.... I'm jealous of him, how pure he is, how kindhearted, how everyone who can remember him seems to like him, how easy it all seems for him. But...

No. I get jealous of everything. Rivalries and the like, competition? That's mostly for other Hashihime. [There was an uncomfortable look.]

You don't want two of them here. One's more than enough.

[Easier to explain without another of them present.]

[Blue misses the tiny bit of humor and self-reflection Akechi gets from that; after all, rivalries like that were so common back home, he figures it's just Akechi genuinely commenting in understanding for the situation.]

[Doesn't everyone have a complicated, vaguely homoerotic life's rival!?]

He probably can... If he can manage it. Whatever brought us here must be way more powerful than the Legendary birds, [Blue muses. Red had caught legendaries, but even they had different ranks within their pantheons; the legends of the birds paled in comparison to those of the Legendaries who had been born from the time of the creation of the universe.]

But, he's always gotten along with Pokémon like nobody else- he even tamed the birds, so if anyone can manage to convince them, I'm sure he can!

[Blue says it with a bit of admiring cheer. Rely on the nearly mute, socially anxious kid to negotiate with god? No problem!]

[The Smoogles, who have gotten bored with their philosophical talk, have taken to painting the ground around them- Blue's interest is caught by it, and he leans over to observe the patterns being doodled around their feet, almost like a strange combination of hopscotch and a scene from a football playbook on a whiteboard.]

Oh, is this a game? Maybe they want us to play...

Undoubtedly a curse, [Akechi agrees. He'd guess he and Ren are thinking about similar things, even if Ren doesn't fully know the importance of the passage of time right now.

He rotates his wrist, flicks his sword as if testing that it still slices through the air without bits of cloth trailing behind it.]

Not to mention places and items from home are reappearing as if in an attempt to mollify us. In a famous experiment, rats in a cage given an enriching environment were shown to live happier, healthier lives than their companions locked in solitary confinement with nothing to occupy themselves. So it could be that to whomever saw fit to bring us here, we are their experimental group in an enriched environment.

If it can bring in a person, why not a sword? Why not a gun?

[He flourishes the sword again as if that helps make his point.]

Edited 2020-08-29 18:56 (UTC)

I did. Rather convenient, wouldn't you say?

[It's still wrapped in its protective cloth for now, Akechi ready to resume the match whenever Ren's ready.

The comment as to how they fight brings a smirk to his lips as he flourishes the sword. What memorable occasions they are.]

I look forward to seeing what new challenges we'll have to face together. And the same goes for you as well, Cole.

[A polite nod. If nothing else from his time sparring with the spirit, he can appreciate the way he fights.]

[He nods. It sure is like someone had helpfully hidden the majority of their figurative puzzle pieces under the couch before they'd even gotten to start their puzzle.]

As far as we know, it's only the two of us. It's fortunate to know people from before our kidnapping, but even so, I've yet to encounter anyone who hasn't been willing to work with us. [He gives her a smile, almost rueful as he finishes drying his feet and heads over closer to her. Not in an attempt to breach her personal space or anything, just to converse more comfortably without having to call across the room. Though, come to think of it, had that even been an issue...? He'd been able to hear her perfectly fine, after all.

Another oddity of this place to file away as he folds his towel in his arms.]

By the way, considering that you know about flowers, do you know much about flower language? I found the strangest flowers in my room, [thanks, Ren,] and was wondering if there were any meaning to them. A tall pink flower with a fern-like bottom?

[He's trying to describe Astilbe, but simply doesn't know enough to say so.]

Hm.

[He hums, nodding as she speaks. When she puts it that way, he can understand. It's not unlike certain aspects of his relationship with Ren, after all, though rivalry and competition is certainly at its core. Envy of his kindheartedness and how everyone seems to like him? Well, that he has in spades.]

I suppose that's for the best for us mere mortals, then, [he observes with a slight grin, said in the tone of voice that implies he thinks it'd be rather interesting to see, actually.]

[He's evasive, at least, though he doesn't have nearly the same level of grace as he possesses in the Metaverse. He tries to dodge her punches, though more hit him than he manages to block when he can't quite dodge. This is rapidly getting out of hand, but -- and he has to remind himself as her punch slips through his guard and smacks him in the sternum with a harsh whuff of air -- it's not a life-or-death situation. It's a learning opportunity.

At least her words warn him about the kick, and with breath coming harshly through parted lips, he twists to dodge it, dancing away and bringing his hands back up.]

So you're saying not to bother with a fake, but simply attack with everything you have?

[His eyes are narrowed as he tries to take what she's saying to heart, attempting to mimic that same flurry of blows, though he doesn't have near the speed she does, and obviously none of the stamina.]

Hm? Oh... thank you.

[He stares at the offer of her arm-warmer, almost taken-aback by the small kindness. He certainly wouldn't offer a piece of clothing to anyone without expecting something in return, after all, even if it's just good will. He almost doesn't know what to do with it, though he does end up taking it rather than leave her arm outstretched.]

Ah, yes. [Back to the task at hand, though he doesn't do much with the arm-warmer just yet other than hold it. The little creature at his legs comes around and stands up a little taller, reaching to try to give it a sniff.] If there were just some logic I could find in this world, perhaps it would be the key to solving it. For now, everything simply seems to be random.

It's strange, isn't it? How our eyes seem to adjust without any visible light to adjust to?

[No, Blue! No!]

It seems as thought you have quite a lot of faith in him. You must be very close.

[It sounds like how the other Phantom Thieves talk about Ren, after all; even if Akechi doesn't worship the very ground Ren walks on, he can see where their seemingly boundless faith comes from.

At the observation that it could be a game, Akechi frowns, looking over the pattern and shaking the red paint off his hand.]

Well, go right ahead, then.

[He's too old for childish games!]

[ Of course, Akechi just standing there and holding the arm warmer is not exactly what Rinoa had in mind, but she does think it's cute, the way one of the Moomba-like creatures comes around to try and sniff at it. For a moment, she almost gets distracted watching it; his voice catches her attention though and her eyes lift back to him, a thoughtful nod after his words.

He's right - it feels like every new place that appears introduces more mysteries to the world. Even Rinoa, who's never really been one to spend too much time thinking about the intricacies of the universe and how things work, has been wondering about it. ]

Yeah. I was down here before and... it doesn't make any sense, you know? Nothing here does.

[ She's not sure she'll ever get used to it, especially at the rate that things seem to keep changing. ]

Pssht, I don't have a choice! [Blue sighs dramatically, hands on his hips.] Even if I didn't, he would do it anyway...... Once thing I learned when we were kids is that it don't matter how impossible or dangerous something is, Red's gonna do it.

Reckless bastard. But, it always seems to work out, when it's him, so there's no point worrying. [Incredibly lucky, or just incredibly talented? Maybe it was a bit of both, but Blue had come to learn that his panicking over Red was usually a waste of energy- because he wouldn't be able to budge him, anyway.]

[Blue motions towards the Smoogles, like he's trying to communicate with them about their game, pointing to the different lines.] Will you show me? [Eevee hops down too, and makes a leap from circle to painted square, demonstrating until the Smoogles understand, and begin a strange little hopping and skipping dance around them.]

[Motioning to Akechi, he grins brightly.] Come on, they want us to play, too. You never hopscotched? Or 'the floor is lava'?

[He folds the cloth over to let the creature have at, and while it reaches with gentle paws to bring it closer for a sniff, Akechi doesn't let go to let it have it. Instead, tentatively, he brings his other hand to gently pat the top of its head, as if expecting it to dart away if he moves too quickly.]

I can't even say it's a product of our cognition, because changes aren't instantaneous -- if we initially assumed that we were unable to see due to the darkness, I would expect that to persist without the addition of light.

[Finally, he does fold over the arm warmer, but hesitates before bringing it to his cheek.]

My apologies, I know you offered, but I would hate to stain your clothing. It isn't as though things are easy to replace, here.

No, thank you, [he says more firmly, continuing to wipe the remains of paint off his hand onto the wall. He's bristling, just a little, because like, look at how uptight he is. He isn't going to play hopscotch. He's not a child.]

Red sounds an awful lot like Ren, [he says, in an attempt to return to the other conversation and leave Blue to playing with the animals.] I suppose it's no wonder the two of you get along so well.

[She caught that tone. She didn't say anything about it, but she caught it. A grunt followed and she nodded.]

well, a lot less bridge wars, at the very least. For now everyone's behaving. Might be best to keep it that way a little longer.

You’re gonna hurt their feelings... [Blue says in a warning tone, as if something bad was going to happen if he didn’t...? (That bad thing is that the Smoogles will be sad.)]

[He shrugs, ultimately, starting to give little leaps from circle to spot.]

Hah? Is that so... Sounds like a pain, [He laughs, shooting Akechi a playful, completely innocent grin.] What’s wrong? Don’t make a face like that- I’m not gonna steal your boyfriend.

I'm not saying that.

[She blocks his blows, one after the other, alternating between hands and even a leg at one point. Her breathing remains steady, eyes focused on his own, rather than where he lands his punches. When there's a break in their movements, she pauses to wipe the beads of sweat from her temple, and to explain.]

If you're gonna go for the fake out, use the force of your entire body. When you're throwing the fake punch, make sure that you use that momentum to swing your leg instead. And vice-versa.

[She demonstrates again: her right foot sweeps around but before she can hit him and knock him off his feet, her fist comes at him in a fast uppercut, stopping right at his chin before she slams a hand on his shoulder.]

Make sense?

[~~i have no idea what i'm talking about~~]

That's a good point. Most people here are really friendly, which is nice. [ Kaiba had been one of the few who was...less so, but that hardly seems to concern her. ] It makes a lot of sense, since we're all in the same boat.

[ The question has her tilt her head curiously at the description, and she taps her chin in thought with a considering "hmmm." After a moment, she offers: ] Sounds kinda like Astilbe, maybe? Almost kinda spiky-looking in a bunch?

[ Funny that he found them in his room, though. Why that flower? ]

Pretty sure they can be seen as a symbol of patience, if I remember that right.

... I don't like being compared to a rat, so I wandered a little halfway into that heavy metaphor! All I really got was that you guys sure are lined up as always.

[ just stab him now

despite that, though, he maybe got the basic outline of akechi's words? the reality of it may be a bit... eh, but there's no denying that they're akin to something like rats in a cage... that he can agree with. it's just how it is.

not knowing the passage of time being a curse? maybe not so much. his gaze focuses on the swinging of akechi's sword, expression thoughtful, curious, and just a hint of frustrated now. ]

If that's how it is, then... [ looking up at the. the sky? upwards, whatever it is: ] How come I didn't get anything? C'mon, God, I'm not feeling like an enriched test subject right now! I thought I was your favorite! Or, um... You're a different one then the one I'm used to, so I can't say that, can I?

[ just kidding he's fully capable of enrichment on his own but like

thinking about it in grim terms like that just makes him want to make fun of it, so. ]

[Maybe with the darkness, Blue can be forgiven for not seeing Akechi's eyeroll and disdainful glare at the thought that oh no, he might hurt their feelings. They're nice enough, and it's easy to be nice to them, but he draws the line at acting like a complete child.

And then immediately acts like a child with a reflexive,] He's not my boyfriend. We're-

[Partners? Friends? None of those seem right, and he clicks his tongue with annoyance. Ren always called them rivals, but that sounds equally as childish.]

Working together out of convenience.

Edited 2020-09-02 00:26 (UTC)

Pfft-- hahaha, okay.

[Blue patronizingly grins, hopping to another of the Smeargle patterns and miming with them in order to figure out their game, attention half split between them and casually teasing Akechi.]

[Kids in denial of their crushes was so endearing!! ...Blue thinks, as if he isn't literally that kid. He also 100% doesn't believe they aren't actively into each other, but hey.] 'Working together', is that what the kids call it these days...?

Okay. Working on what?

[He asks, apparently honestly believing Akechi will actually give him some kind of real answer. Bless him.]

[Oh, it is so hard to act the pleasant boy around Blue. He has a special talent for getting under his skin. He's not unlike Ryuji in that respect, so perhaps it's no wonder that Ren seems to like him so much.

What an irritating person.]

Figuring out how, exactly, we're going to return home. We have unfinished business there, and before you ask, no, it's not any of your concern.

[He waves a hand and scowls, even as one of the paint creatures runs up to him and tries to reach for his hand, wanting to tug him to join their game. He bites back a sigh and instead crouches down to pet it, face formed into an apologetic mask.]

[ She watches with a small smile as Akechi pats the top of the creature's head. It looks like she's not the only one trying to bond with the local wildlife. And honestly, even with how walled-off the young man may seem, she can't help but think he seems nice enough.

Even if she really doesn't understand what he's talking about with cognition. And she's not stupid - she reads a lot!

Rinoa shakes her head, waves a hand at him. ]

Really, it's okay. It's knit, so even if it won't just wash out, I can just fold it over and wear it the other way, right? It's thick enough that no one will see it.

[ Then, after a pause: ]

What do you mean, though? About "cognition" and stuff?

[open] because i can only be me

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