tabularasa_rp | [open] because i can only be me

[His smirk doesn't waver. He'd said what he'd said!

But he does toss a bundle of rags Ren's way, even as he starts to wrap his own sword to blunt the edges. It'll still bruise and hurt like hell to get hit, but this way he doesn't have to listen to Ren whining if either of them get cut.]

I hope you haven't lost your edge, but allow me to remind you: until we can fight at full strength, I won't consider this a true rematch.

Of course it wouldn't be.

(With their capabilities more than halved, due to the lack of Personas and guns, this definitely was just for fun.

The knife was easier to wrap, due to size, so it was finished in no time and he's testing it on his hand to make sure it's secure. Of course, he wouldn't want to hurt Akechi. (: )

Good.

[Akechi tests his sword in his palm once he's finished, humming with satisfaction. It's not ideal, the jagged edges wanting to tear through the cloth, but it should work well enough for now.

He steps back away from Heavenly Blanc to the more open area he'd been practicing in, holding the sword loosely in his left hand and waiting for Ren to ready himself. No point with a sneak attack or anything of that nature -- he wants a fair fight, no holds barred.

There's no denying the excitement in his eyes, leaking into his voice as he grins.]

Shall we?

(He knows there's no danger coming to him while he decides on a starting point for himself. The glasses are removed and he places them under the nearest tree on the opposite side from them, making sure to remember not to lose them or crack them.

The expression on Ren's face shifts almost immediately - from the pleasant, quiet and nice expression to a grin Akechi can very much recognize from when he's in the Metaverse. Smug, power-hungry and overly-confident. This can be just for fun, but there's no way he's accepting a loss, much less from Akechi himself.

It's a fast dash that comes to Akechi's way. Ren is betting on his speed and practicity of wielding a dagger for a starter, aiming for the sides.)

[Ren gives him that grin, and almost unbidden, Akechi can't help but match it, a hungry fire lighting in his eyes.]

That's it! That's the Joker I like to see! [he taunts, lunging sideways to dodge the initial attack and bringing his sword around to guard. Ren might have speed, but Akechi has power and reach, and he laughs, low and savage as he parries Ren's knife. Ideally if his sword weren't wrapped, he could flick his wrist to trap the blade between the edges of his sword to try to rip it out of his hand; as it is, he can only redirect, stepping around quick and sure for a slash diagonally down from Ren's shoulder.]

(He's aware that what he's seen are not the most accurate examples of Akechi's skills. First, it was Mementos, when Ren had no idea both possessed the same power, Loki not being in the picture and Akechi's moves more controlled, calculated. Second, it was psychosis that leaked from his every move, a crazed, vengeful man in front of him.

This time certainly had to be different. Ren is aggressive, but careful until Akechi shows his cards. Seeing the smirk on Akechi's lips only made his own grow, as if it wasn't impossibly large already.

The move was received with a dodge, Ren putting some distance between them to give him space to go for the leg.)

You're quick!

[Another parry as Akechi's gaze only brightens further. This is what he loves. The rush of adrenaline in combat, knowing that he's up against the one person who's ever managed to beat him -- there's nothing like it. Fighting Shadows can't compare to knowing his rival is in front of him, flesh and blood.

There aren't any extra flourishes to his swordwork this time, not like when he fought with a lumina saber and Robin Hood. This is all deliberate, a rush of motion as Akechi steps in, and in again, taking advantage of the reach of his sword to keep trying to force Ren back.]

C'mon! Don't go easy on me, now, Joker!

(Surely it's a different color on Akechi. Even calling him by the codename is working wonders to get Ren in a battle mindset even further, he is not losing. He has never lost to Akechi and he surely ain't losing now, nor is he holding back.

He hasn't felt like Joker here. The recon and navigation missions don't quite cut it - this is much closer to home and he can feel his heart racing with every move, it's a perfect thrill.

Each attempt to keep Ren from backing down is answered with a stronger blow of the knife or a faster slash of the blade.)

I'm not losing to you.

Such confidence!

[The hum of the blade through the air is only matched by the hunger roaring through his ears, the noise of Loki wanting to rip and rend and mangle, of Robin Hood wanting to find and exploit weaknesses, to show off and win. It twists Akechi's face into a manic grin, eyes flashing brightly as Ren keeps countering his every blow.

He should be getting frustrated, but if anything, it's simply exhilarating to let loose. Finally, finally, and he laughs, a deep, throaty sound.]

You're the one person I refuse to lose to!

(Delusional! Over his dead body Akechi is winning, and both know this is Ren's mindset as clear as day. It shows on how strong and unfiltered each of his moves are, even more so than usual due to the rags softening the blows. The grey eyes are almost on fire and his cheeks start to ache with their stretching to accommodate the (perhaps a little creepy) grin.

Ren attempts a mislead, moving to one side as to pierce Akechi's ribs - only for his leg to sneak between Akechi's own and pull. An attempt to cause him to lose balance.

When Akechi's back hit the ground, he joins, one hand gripping knife placed just under his chin and the other pressing him to the ground harder. Not that he would do anything with the knife, both of them know Ren is not exactly capable of doing such thing with absolute certainty, but it sure is an interesting sight to see Akechi's next move.)

Fuck!

[The sweep works -- he'd never seen Ren use it against a Shadow, or against him, so he's not expecting it. The world swirls around him as he plummets and only barely manages to tuck his head to keep from smacking it against the ground. It doesn't stop the wind from getting knocked out of him from the harsh impact, and before he can stop him, Ren's straddling him, and on instinct alone, Akechi snaps his blade in.

There's a definite heat behind the feeling of the blade pressed to his throat, but if Ren takes a moment to assess, he'll realize Akechi's serrated blade is braced between them. If it weren't wrapped, it would take but a flick of his wrist to disembowel him.

His breath comes hard between parted lips as he glares up at Ren. His lips twist into a wide smirk as he defiantly tilts his head back to expose more of his throat; at the same time, he presses the covered blade up against Ren's stomach, letting him feel the potential danger.]

Dying on each other's swords, are we?

[Romantic.]

(He had realized the blade was pressing on his skin the moment it was first placed. It did nothing to get him to back down - much the opposite. The stare he gives the other, locked on the reddish eyes, is provoking, almost an invitation for him to do it.

He won't.

It seems like Akechi was on the same wavelength, because here he is, offering more of vulnerability and acceptance of the blade. It's an empty threat to drag it down, the tip of the knife covered but Akechi certanly could feel the sharpness it holds while Ren places it right under the Adam's Apple.

Romantic.)

Isn't that how rivals die, after all?

(He laughs! God, he's having fun.

Psychos.)

[His breath catches on an exhale as the knife travels down his throat and -- Ren is toying with him, isn't he? It's delicious, even as he presses the sword more firmly into his stomach in retaliation. His smirk matches Ren's, then he laughs in spite of the blade at this throat, feeling it against his vocal chords.

After all this, hearing Ren still call him his rival? How can he feel anything but a rush of emotion, fueling his laughter.]

Suicide pacts aren't really my thing.

[The last word comes out as more of a grunt as he bucks his hips and twists his grip on the sword, using his weight, training, and the element of surprise to flip them over and reverse their positions. One hand traps the one with the knife while his other keeps the hilt of the sword pressed close to Ren's throat, serrated edges still hidden beneath the cloth but present nonetheless. His voice is barely above a whisper as he grins down at him.]

It's not wise to hesitate, Ren.

(He gasps in surprise, although honestly, he should have seen it coming. There would have been an attempt to flip the dagger, position it against Akechi's arm should the strength on his wrist not be tampering with his joints.

Instead, it's Ren's turn to tilt his head back, eyebrows raised and a (n adrenaline) blush on his cheeks. It is surprising that the rags kept the blades from cutting through so long, and while efficient, Ren can feel the cold metal against his skin and he smirks.)

What are you going to do about your own?

(Just healthy taunting.)

Smart mouth, [he chides, tilting the blade and rising it up, using the flat to close Ren's mouth for him. Oh, this is great. There's truly something to be said about this kind of power, even if he can't consider it a true victory. He allows himself to bask in it a little longer before he forces himself to withdraw, the sword at Ren's throat the last thing to leave as he rises to his feet.]

Still, I'll admit that this is a draw. You've improved since our last fight.

[He checks the wrapping on the sword, grin still curving his lips.]

It's too bad we can't go all-out.

(Just because he's mouth is closed doesn't mean he can't laugh at how it happened, so there are snickers coming from Ren before Akechi finally lets go.

♪♪♪

He was pleased, his heart was racing and he can't think of a single moment he had this much fun in the void. Surely the reddish cheeks would not leave so soon, but he chooses to ignore it when he rises to his feet, Baselard in hands and already being unwrapped as they speak. The glasses are, momentarily, forgotten.)

How bad did they want to join in?

(It reminds him, Akechi mentioned wanting to talk about their Personas. Sounds like a good time? And before he forgets...)

Thanks.

(For the compliment, for the fight? It is a mystery.)

Edited 2020-08-16 05:01 (UTC)

Very much so.

[Ren unwrapping his blade is a signal for Akechi to start doing the same; he rolls his neck briefly to release some of the extra tension, glancing sideways to Ren and noting his flush. Well, it makes sense. They'd both exerted themselves for the thrill of the fight, and he'd be lying if his own cheeks weren't equally as red right now.]

Which do you prefer?

[Ren has seen them both now, and he has to admit, he's curious to hear the answer. Granted, to Ren's memory, he's only used Loki against him, but...]

(Ren's not looking at Akechi to notice his own reddened cheeks. Instead, his eyes were focused on the knife - it felt so nice to actually use it for something, and there he is, once more showing off the flairs he had learned over the past months.

The question does surprise him a little.)

Loki.

(No hesitation there. Robin Hood was strong, powerful, but it just reminds Ren of the side of Akechi he isn't fond of. Loki, on the other hand, was rather interesting from all accounts - the mental breakdown ability he possesses more than all, and how he truly felt more of the rebellious aspect of Akechi. Could Akechi have used its special ability on him? He wonders.)

Truly?

[♪

It's not the best answer, but Akechi accepts it nonetheless, continuing to unwrap his sword. It takes longer than Baselard just by virtue of being longer itself, and he has to be careful not to rip the rags on the jagged edges.

But he's also not about to just let it rest like that, either.]

And why is that?

Truly.

(He thought Akechi would be able to infer that by himself, but he doesn't find the question out of place.

Seen that he did tell him to his face how much he despises the lies, which is basically what Robin Hood represents, either way. He sighs, a last flip of the dagger before he's ready to put it away and sit on the grass.)

He's interesting, from history to his unique abilities, and besides... I've already told you, I prefer you over your lies any day.

Don't tell me you looked him up after our fight.

[Forgive him for looking incredulous. Sure, it's what Akechi would have done (and had done, with the other Thieves) but he wouldn't have expected Ren to be that interested in a defeated foe. Though perhaps he should have been.

In any case, he snorts, unimpressed as he pulls the last of the rags off the blade and balls them up, moving to set them beside Heavenly Blanc, under a rag so they don't blow away with the next gust of wind.]

You say that as if they aren't both me. I might prefer to fight with Loki, but that doesn't mean they aren't both me. You'll have to accept that.

[Lies and all.]

(Not denying or confirming that information.

Instead, Ren finally raises his head to gaze at Akechi. He can understand what he is saying, but at the same time, it's a different matter all together.)

If I didn't accept you fully, we wouldn't be here. Those are two different things.

(Fact number one.)

I am allowed to dislike parts of you, the same way you certainly dislike parts of me.

[Blade free, Akechi rotates his wrist, listening to the blade hum as the little shredded bits of thread and cloth fall away with the motion.

As if reaching a decision, he doesn't answer what Ren just said, instead going back to a previous conversation without looking at him.]

I awakened Robin Hood first. As a child, I suppose I thought of myself as wrongfully antagonized, fighting back to reclaim only what was rightfully mine. Perhaps it's best to say that Loki was a... "reawakening" of sorts. The acceptance that nobility and delusions of heroism simply weren't enough.

(The fact that Akechi completely went over what Ren had just said didn't go unnoticed, but it was worth not pushing for an answer when what Akechi had just given him was much more of a richer insight.

Much more interesting than whether he's ok with Ren disagreeing with him, or just more of the same confirmation that Akechi believes Ren is wrong in several aspects of his morals and values. Ren never had the opportunity to hear about any of this, since the reveal of Akechi's true nature was followed by what Ren believed to be his death.

If it wasn't for this place, would Akechi have told him eventually back home, had things turned out less hectic?

Doesn't do him any good to think about what-ifs, so his mind drops the thought to focus on what Akechi had just said. Delusions of heroism, huh? Ren raised his hand to his chin, in thought.)

You had been in the Metaverse years before me and Ryuji found it, correct?

(A few seconds of silence from Ren's part before he spoke again.)

I admire that you managed to navigate it on your own.

(Nothing shy from genuine, Ren nods. Akechi certainly didn't have The Hope Of Humanity to break it down to him.)

[Don't worry! He wouldn't have told him a thing :)]

That's right.

[Akechi nods, lip curling into a derisive scowl. With how much he'd struggled on his own in the Metaverse, perhaps it's no surprise that he'd resented Ren's quick adaptation, his support, his teammates.

He doesn't say it in so many words, though, flicking his free hand dismissively.]

I did what had to be done. I'd be dead otherwise. I imagine it was much the same for you, initially.

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them spoilers

so many

seriously the spoiler count is endless

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oh the spoilers

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