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[impede]

@goro.akechi | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼

Comments

[variate]

Yeah, that's what I keep coming back to. We should check those messages again. Cassius sent those too.

[ that wasn't the only one of the bits and pieces that Cassius had thrown around. there might be something else there, too, and now that they know more, it might be time to revisit what they already knew. ]

Didn't James Henries have an obituary?

[impede]

He did, but that doesn't mean that it couldn't be an alias by someone taking up his name. The real question would be why it would suddenly appear in Zerzura. [Perhaps it's a matter of his identity. It's not a terribly uncommon name, but he hadn't sounded inspiring in any way, like he would stand out to the average onlooker. Another corporate crony and little more.]

If that's the case, we'd also have to know why he might be a name for someone to take.

[variate]

And in the dreams.

[ the spear, right? what he had died for at that time. he still doesn't have an answer—he still doesn't know why. ]

There's more than one connection.

[ and then ]

Is it possible that Cassius is trying to tell us something?

[impede]

A message within a message. [Akechi considers the likelihood, and ultimately shakes his head. They can't assume that right now. That sounds more like a fleeting fit of optimism on Ren's part.]

We would need the full picture. Don't assume that we'll get a part to work on together as a group, not when he doesn't trust us to piece the puzzle together.

[variate]

[ there's a little tilt of a nod. he's listening. there are some things that are more easily pieced together, others that become offshoots.

he looks back at the board displayed on the wall. ]

The records were clear that everyone involved died during the accident.

[impede]

But James Henries was already dead, [he says. It does feel as if something is just out of reach. Why were things redacted in these files? Were they redacted before Cassius got to them or afterward? What does it serve?

Akechi doesn't think that it's a message.]

This may be a point where we need to turn to the rest. Ask for their input in the matter.

[variate]

[ it feels like the Phantom Thieves after Medjed. something wasn't quite right, as if they were reaching for something that was continually one step ahead.

he nods, agreeing. ]

Faith said she asked Cassius for information. [ as she was yelling at him. ] There might be others.

[ more pieces. ]

But there still could be some distrust.

[impede]

I'm eager to see how willing Faith is to share. [Akechi doubts that she will. She seems like the type to hold something close until it's pried away.

(He is, of course, wrong on this note.)]

Distrust doesn't matter when it comes to an investigation of this significance. At least we didn't ask for information on everyone's favorite boogie men.

[variate]

[ if there's something to prove, she will—but he doesn't say that. she had tried hard to convince him that the deal she made with Cassius was legit, and Ren's curious as to what she got (and what she asked). ]

And I can't take it back now.

[ every joke with a straight face. ]

[impede]

No, I suppose you can't. I look forward to seeing how you choose to proceed.

[Will it be as bombastic as the Phantom Thieves could be at times?

Akechi thinks that may be likely, but it's hard to say.]

[variate]

[ you are a Phantom Thief, Akechi. ]

I won't accept anything less than changing the world.

[ and he means that.

their own world was in need of reformation, and this one? it was past the point where it could merely be suggested. this was dire. they had resources, but they needed to figure out how to organize them. ]

Will you?

[impede]

Is that what we're here to do? [Akechi's cynicism rings through in this question. Bold to think that having answers about themselves can change anything. He doesn't agree.]

I'd rather see what I can make for myself first before seeing how I can shape a world.

[Besides, he had already failed at that gambit once.]

[variate]

I don't know if it's what we're here to do—we decide that, don't we? ... It doesn't seem right to leave it how it is when we can help.

[ to leave things better than how he came was something he tried to follow, even if it didn't always turn out.

for Akechi, who may have to make this his new home.

Ren's fingers curl in the couch. ]

...

But I understand.

[impede]

Don't assume you're caught in the crosshairs of the same gambit we left behind. [Oddly enough, this may be optimistic for him. He would've seen his world burned if given the chance. Akechi now knows that he can't view it that way.]

Let me decide what I'll do. Then we'll go from there.

[variate]

The important thing to me is that we get to decide this time.

[ there's a little nod.

not some god. not the Velvet Room. not Shido. not anyone to manipulate them. it was refreshing in a way—it felt good. he could say that he was working on his own accord, even if there may be someone above them.

he could reason that out.

then, quieter: ]

That you do.

[impede]

[Akechi idly wonders what it would be like to feel as if he had a choice. He's getting there here, bit by bit. Their trip to New Beijing had been eye opening in a way that he hasn't put to words. Not yet.

His eyes close as he drinks the rest of his coffee, contended. When he's done, he simply asks:] Can you make more? I'll buy the next half pound of beans.

[variate]

[ there's no vocal affirmation, but Ren nods once and shifts his palms to the flat of his knees and rises to make another cup of coffee. he collects both cups like he's used to in the cafe and takes them to the sink. it's an easy movement, juggling both sets of cups because it's something that he got good at during his time at LeBlanc.

it's a comfortable quiet for a just a moment as Ren puts the kettle on.

it's funny that Akechi doesn't have to go far anymore to get it. it's a small comfort for Ren. ]

I'll keep some and make some curry. I've got it close.

[ but not right yet.

he'll have to make it his own—which, well, is also comforting. ]

[impede]

[He says nothing and enjoys his cup of coffee. After all, Akechi shouldn't be remarking on the actual taste of anything or its makeup because he's not any good at any of it.]