tabularasa_rp | (open) where have you been? been searching all along 𝅘𝅥𝅮

No. I can handle you. (No doubt in his mind, not a waver in his deep voice.

Should Akechi want to do it, though. He's not pushing him to it or forcing it by any means, but that he is curious is undeniable...

Finally, one of the containers of sushi is taken, Ren happily opening it to find the rolls and with how hunger just attacks him, he can't wait for Akechi to start eating.)

...

[His eyebrow quirks in open defiance, but after a moment, if anything, his expression becomes thoughtful. It isn't a bad idea, honestly; with how insistent this world is about ensuring they're supplied with alcohol, it seems inevitable that he'd end up drinking some, even by accident. Knowing how it affects him compared to his surroundings could be a valuable tool in his arsenal.

If anyone else were to suggest it, he'd scoff at the thought, or deliver some pleasant jibe about trying to influence and corrupt a minor. But with Ren...?]

Such confidence. [He pops some sashimi in his mouth, using it to buy himself a little extra time before he tilts his head and exhales a sigh.]

Fine. You raise a good point. I don't suppose Tifa-san has been teaching you the finer points of cocktails?

[That one she'd made him had been genuinely delicious, after all.]

(Tifa is very adamant about not having Ren around the alcohol, but it never stopped him from observing the same way he observed Lala on his night shifts. Thankfully for both, Ren is a quick leaner, but sadly, there's nothing to mix the alcohol with in Ren's apartment.)

No. She's very careful about it. So was the owner of the bar I've worked back home.

(Which probably, Akechi didn't know about until now. The list of part-time jobs he has had was way too long, but money for him meant money for the Thieves, so, absolutely worth it.

Ren takes a roll to his mouth before excusing himself to grab the vodka bottle from underneath the bed - with his door perpetually open, no way he'd let it out in the open.)

We have nothing to mix it with. Shouldn't be a problem, I imagine.

You worked at a bar?

[Yeah, no, he didn't know about Crossroads at all, so the surprise is genuine, if muted in a kind of of course you did way. Is there anything Ren hasn't done?

He stares at the bottle, trying to tell how full it is, before glaring at him with open accusation. He was going to say that if he'd said something ahead of time, he'd have gotten some mixers from the underground market, but as it is, with that kind of challenge on the table?]

It won't be a problem at all, but if you vomit on the floor, that's your problem. You're the one who's obviously been planning this.

Edited 2020-09-06 06:09 (UTC)

Crossroads.

(A glassless Ren (that totally removed his glasses the second the door closed and the narration didn't forget to write this at all) stares at Akechi for a second or two, handing him the bottle. There it is, the defiance Akechi asked Ren not to hold back from, the stare as intense as ever as he takes his seat, calmly in contrast.)

Unlikely.

(Because he sure didn't last time! Can you guarantee the same, Goro?)

I'm not familiar with the establishment.

[Because he was a detective, Ren, a celebrity detective. He didn't get to just change clothes and waltz into red-light districts for the fun of it.

The (metaphorical, this time) glove has been thrown, and though he takes the bottle and hefts it, his nose wrinkles with distaste. Even without having tried it before, he can't imagine straight vodka tastes any good. Considering that most people seem to mix it with all kinds of things.]

Not even going to offer me a glass? What a classy place you must have worked for.

[-He says that, but he still uncaps the bottle and fights back a reflexive frown of disgust at the smell. Ugh. He can't back down when Ren is giving him that look, so in an effort to look cool, he meets his eyes as he brings the bottle to his lips.

Oh. It's bad. The first second of wary concern isn't anything as he takes a gulp from the bottle, but then the taste and smell combined hits all at once, spasming his throat as he yanks the bottle away and gasps, one gloved hand covering his mouth as if that might stop the violent shudder.]

Fuck!

[It burns! It's not as bad as that fucking takoyaki he'd made the mistake of eating at their school festival, but this shit is awful! How do adults drink this garbage and pretend to like it?!]

(There's an argument there that he's not working, he was just showing him the bottle first and Crossroads was at the red-light district, it wasn't the classiest place on Earth, but before he could formulate any of these sentences, Goro goes ahead and--

Is it that bad? Can't be as bad as Takemi's medicine, which had such a strong, foul taste that his body shot down. Or else, how would people drink it so casually?

Ren watches Goro, clear worry in his goggled eyes as he watches Akechi's reaction to the gulp he took. In any other situation, he'd be providing aid immediately, but... Seen that this did spark their competitiveness and none of them would be happy to have the other feel like they've won, Ren decides to just ask.)

Are you ok?

(And of course, it was only fair that Ren took the bottle as well, it was not like he was about to just allow Akechi to suffer alone, raising it to his lips and... It tastes awful, his nose scrunching immediately before he swallowed. His throat feels like it's on fire as the liquid goes down, but surprisingly, his reaction is less panicked than Akechi's.

At least it didn't taste and smell so horrid that he passed out! Thanks, Takemi.)

Who drinks this... It's terrible...

(He finally enunciates after a few coughs.)

Edited 2020-09-06 06:55 (UTC)

[It is that bad if you ask him. Akechi wheezes briefly, letting Ren take the bottle without struggle and coughing into his hand, anything to alleviate the burning. At least he doesn't have to worry about confusing vodka for water, because holy shit, could the difference not be starker.]

I'm fine, [he grits out, snatching one of the empty mugs Ren has scattered around his room and moving straight to the bathroom to first rinse, then fill with water. He at least knows not to let himself get too dehydrated, even if water from a suspicious sink tap doesn't taste all that much better, comparatively speaking.]

This is why adults mix it with whatever shit they can find, I suppose.

[Ugh. He takes a sip of water from his cup and shakes his head.]

Your experiment would hold more value if there was something to disguise the taste, but I suppose this will do for now.

(Following Akechi with his gaze, Ren just shrugs and takes yet another sip - it's a tiny one, just to check if it gets better on the second try, like beer felt slightly less bitter on the second can he pratically downed when he first drank with Blue.

Nope, not even the power of familiarity makes this taste less like death. Ren shakes his head a few times, like he was attempting to do away with the taste, a groan escaping his lips.)

I have coffee. Can't imagine it making it any better.

Edited 2020-09-06 07:10 (UTC)

Of course you do.

[He sighs, shaking his head, and goes back to his forgotten take-out container to make sure he's at least eating while Ren's experimenting with this alcohol. He admittedly doesn't know a lot first-hand about it, but as with most things, he knows the basics.

Like-]

Though this does beg the question, can one drink until they pass out when sleep seems impossible by normal means?

[Container of sushi in hand, he moves to take a seat at Ren's desk, eventually motioning for him to pass the bottle back.]

Perhaps a question for Blue-san, or some of the others who are more interested in this kind of thing.

I don't think so.

(Considering the amount of alcohol that was served at the party and the zero number of drunk patrons passed out in the surroundings or the bar itself. Ren continues to hold the bottle, simply because that concept of having his hands occupied while the other returns to the sushi - he had at a few rolls before he saw the motion.

The bottle is handed and he's dying to see Akechi's next reaction to it.)

Hm. Add simple biological processes to things which the god controlling this world doesn't understand.

[Bottle in hand, Akechi scowls at it for a moment before taking another shot, drawing on every ounce of his discipline in faking composure to fight past the burn. It doesn't really work, his shoulders going stiff and his throat working as he chokes back a snarl, but he certainly tries.]

Truly disgusting. I do wonder how humans decided to drink this swill after first discovering it.

[His hand drops to his pocket as if to retrieve his phone, only belatedly remembering that of course he can't look it up. Fantastic.]

(He agrees, but also it feels like the entity is trying, somehow? Everything is still wonky, but at least the hunger returning gives him hope that the rest, including sleep, should come soon. It will be an exceptionally long prayer after they go through the hangover, not that this thought made its way to Ren's mind so far.

Ren sees the attempt to reach for the device and sighs a little.)

My own is only good to spin and as a lamp now.

(Since it glows, whatever that means.)

Mine has been off since we arrived here.

[He has a spare battery pack in his briefcase, but without a cell network and without access to the Metaverse, what's the point in powering it on? He doesn't need to find out what happens when a battery runs low, not with his own phone. Someone else's, perhaps.

He forces himself to take another shot's worth from the bottle, groaning before passing it back.]

I do wonder if it could be made to taste better in a true world made solely from cognition.

[Does it taste bad because he expects it to taste bad? Could he, through sheer force of will, make it taste good? Hard to say.]

You do need to keep in constant motion, don't you.

(As soon as the bottle reaches Ren's hand, he takes a hard look at it before gulping, a sip following it before he puts it down to breathe, which is something they don't need to do as previously tested but it helps to take the attention from the scratching down his throat.

Beer. He should have just stolen a pack of beer.

The room gradually had become a little blurred, but Ren only realized it when the delay in his brain hit. He's definitely tipsy, and it shows on how he takes a few seconds to process the question.)

I need to do things with my hands, never knew why.

I trained myself not to.

[He flicks his gaze toward Ren, notes a tiny fraction of a delay in the motion, and chokes back a reflexive surge of panic, instead reaching to take the bottle from him once again.

Another mouthful of sashimi, and he adds,] No one much liked an unwanted child who drew attention to himself, so it was easiest to stay as still as possible.

[He envies Ren's easy movements and natural grace. Maybe he could achieve that once again, some day, but then, it just isn't a part of him. Maybe that's why he was so drawn to the spotlight in his teen years, a way of finally shrieking look at me to the world at large.

He takes another shot from the bottle, forces himself to hide his revulsion, and just hangs onto it instead of passing it back.]

Even in the Metaverse, you're very fluid in your movements. Constantly in motion.

[His gloved fingers pick lightly at the meaningless label on the bottle, though he doesn't seem fully aware that he's doing it, and that doing so runs directly contrary to what he'd just said about training himself out of fidgeting.]

It's good that you never lost that.

(The list of ticks is long at this point and being proficient only added an extra layer to the habits. It goes anywhere between curling the tips of his hair and adjusting his glove to flawlessly looping a pen spin, spinning his phone on his index and rotating Baselard on his hand. Why? Who knows.

Akechi shares again and Ren is trying his best to be attentive as he normally is. He achieves it, but it takes away his ability to make the instant connection between the words and the nails scratching the label. When he does notice though, he decides not to bring attention to it. One out of two things - either this is part of their last deal, or Akechi is somewhere around his level to lack the rigid self-control he inflicts upon himself. Either way, why call him out?

Akechi doesn't want words of sympathy, he's sure, so Ren doesn't give him any - instead, he gives what he thinks it's needed: an outlet to vent.)

It's very grounding, I feel. It gives me something to feel and concentrate on physically when my mind is filled.

Is that so?

[He takes another mouthful of sashimi before setting the takeout container aside on the desk, turning in his chair to focus his gaze on Ren's. Russet eyes pierce stormy grey ones as he looks him over, studies him for a long moment.]

And what is your mind constantly filled with, I wonder?

[He purposefully keeps his eyes on Ren's and takes another drink from the bottle. It's not easier, it's still awful, but his throat feels almost numb enough that he doesn't flinch this time.]

(From their last... Date?, Ren had noticed this is exactly Akechi's style of getting Ren to take action instead of doing it himself, taunting until Ren loses his apparently not bottomless patience and the impulsiveness takes over.

This time, though, Akechi's question is received with the largest of grins, his eyes purposely descending to lips before he parrots the stare he was given, matching in strength and ferocity.)

Can't you tell?

Ren.

[His lips curve into a smirk without his intent, and his tone stays lightly teasing. It's not the same cocky tone he'd take as the Detective Prince, all flair and no substance, but instead paired with a weighty gaze meant to pin the other boy in place.]

Come now. You can't mean to tell me that I'm on your mind at all times.

[He keeps picking at the label on the bottle, distractedly noting that it doesn't feel like it should. Even through his gloves, it's a muted sensation, like the feeling in the tips of his fingers isn't quite there. While one hand holds the bottle, the other pulls back, gently pinching his thumb against his other fingers one by one to test them.

At least he can still speak clearly, at least to his ears, and after a moment, he holds the bottle back out again to see if Ren will take it.]

(This had the potential to be incredibly awkward, since Akechi really did not pick up on his intent, but instead, a drunk Ren cannot feel such. He laughs, sincerely amused, shaking his head and ignoring the blush that now gives the embarrassment away.)

I was flirting.

(He said, his gaze turning to the bottle that he denied with a motion. He probably had enough for now.)

But I can tell you I've been thinking about you a lot lately.

I'm aware.

[As long as Ren knows Akechi is purposefully making it as difficult as possible. He snorts a laugh and sets the bottle down on the desk beside him, instead taking his mug of water for a long drink. It buys him time to think, and it takes him far too long to think of what he wants to say, the gears in his mind grinding infinitely slower as he sips from the mug.]

I wish you wouldn't, [he says finally, which isn't what he'd meant to say at all. It just slips out, and after a beat, he presses his lips tightly together into a frown.] No. It would be better for you if you didn't. You are...

[Incredible. Phenomenal. A person with stronger morals and values than Akechi had had in a long, long time. A genuinely good person.

Better than him in every way.]

Absolutely insatiable, [he says finally in the end, lowering the mug and meeting his eyes to shake his head again.] Does that line often work for you?

(If Ren were aware of Akechi's mini crises in his mind, he'd definitely be more careful to bring alcohol between them again. But since he's not and Akechi is laughing and just as slow as he is, this feels stupidly fun and even cute somehow?

What a mess.

At the last question though, it's Ren's turn to snort.)

Bold of you to assume I've done any of this before. You were my first kiss, moron.

Really?

[Now that is something of a surprise, and Akechi sets the mug down, picking up the bottle again to resume picking at the label as he stares at the other boy in naked surprise. Because like, why wouldn't he be surprised? Ren is so honest and open and genuine about everything, so self-sure with every action he takes.]

You weren't interested in any of the members of your little group? Not even poor Yoshizawa-san, following at your heels like a little lost puppy in search of the smallest scraps of approval?

[And if he stumbles a bit on some of those words, perhaps he can be forgiven. He brings the bottle to his lips and takes another drink, grimacing once again from the taste. Anything to help him latch onto this new topic instead of thinking about how much he doesn't deserve Ren's attention or affection.]

( ?

Did he make Akechi nervous? He went straight to scratching the bottle... Ren's braincells are all too busy drowning to try and analyze the why of the matter. He is taking this as a victory, though, if Akechi thought he knew what Ren was doing even when he had approximately none. Means he's doing something right?? He thinks?? It's a victory. Don't argue.)

I don't think it was like that. She just wanted support... (Akechi is drunk, he gets a pass on the rude comment. At the question at hand...)

Interested like this? No. It's a different bond.

(open) where have you been? been searching all along 𝅘𝅥𝅮

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