If you're keen to converse, I'm happy to make this a phone call. I can give you running commentary as we attempt to figure out what it is that we're here to do.
A pyramid's unknown regions can't be too different from a palace, but I refuse to give the others too much assistance just yet. They haven't earned that kind of assistance.
[Akechi knows that this is not what Ren was referring to, but evading it is becoming quite the game.]
[ there's something about it that's relieving about the message. he reads it a few times before he responds. there's a little game here that he so easily falls into. ]
I've been in a palace like a pyramid before. You're right, it's not that different.
[ but he turns it a little, switches the subject. ]
Talking a little would be nice. I'm going to miss the sound of your voice.
So, you do want to make it a phone call? While we have water, I'm afraid my throat will get rather dry if I have to keep you entertained this entire trip.
[Things that are never a consideration for Akechi at any other time: reasons to not hear the sound of his own voice.]
There's been scattered storms here, so you're going to have to save all your updates for when they pass. Can I save it for later? Or is it a now or nothing kind of thing?
[ but he can wing it. it's pouring, and when he calls there's the sound of water and a crash in the background. to drown out the sound, he covers his ear with his other hand. ]
It wasn't that difficult to force your hand on the matter, was it? [Meanwhile, Akechi's taking a break to drink some water. He's just completed a platforming puzzle to move deeper into the labyrinth. Unfortunately, he's hungry, but already all too aware of the quality of the food he has on hand. He'll have to take a risk with it, but ...
[ but he doesn't seem to concern himself with admitting that. it's nice to hear Akechi's voice, to ensure himself that he's all right so many miles away. ]
How are you holding up? Since this kidnapping wasn't exactly planned.
[ he's got thoughts, but it's best to open it to Akechi first. ]
I'm more peeved that I've been pulled away from my work. You know the changes that I've been planning, but I'm forced to stall some of them for this trip.
[That's the truth of it. Of course, Akechi doesn't like being drugged and dragged somewhere for reasons of powerlessness, but he can see the value of it here. Why it was happened.
And what it might get them in the long run.]
I suspect that the others will find this to be a sign that we'll never be allowed to live our own lives. I look forward to seeing more of the same from them.
[ he never liked his autonomy being ripped from him. that was part of why he became a Phantom Thief, to give it back to others, and to express his own. while he's quiet, steady, he's not too happy. Akechi expresses his own complaints, and in Ren the anger stirs. ]
We've been uprooted for sure. [ but he never likes to say never in that respect. ] It'll be harder for people to realize that a situation like this may have more than one option.
There are multiple options, and some of them may even lead us back to whoever brought us here in the first place. We'd be fools not to take that opportunity when we still have a mess of questions. [Whoever did this to them knows more about them than they do themselves.
Answers may not come tidily, but they can and will come.]
[ there are multiple options, but as far as Ren's concerned, there usually are if you look hard enough. there's a flash of lightning in the background that sounds close by, and there's a pause on Ren's end for half a second before he speaks again: ]
We have to continue going forward, even if it's what we were kidnapped for.
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A pyramid's unknown regions can't be too different from a palace, but I refuse to give the others too much assistance just yet. They haven't earned that kind of assistance.
[Akechi knows that this is not what Ren was referring to, but evading it is becoming quite the game.]
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I've been in a palace like a pyramid before. You're right, it's not that different.
[ but he turns it a little, switches the subject. ]
Talking a little would be nice.
I'm going to miss the sound of your voice.
[ literally complaining about everything. ]
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[Things that are never a consideration for Akechi at any other time: reasons to not hear the sound of his own voice.]
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There's been scattered storms here, so you're going to have to save all your updates for when they pass.
Can I save it for later? Or is it a now or nothing kind of thing?
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In that case, does it matter if it's a now or nothing thing?
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I'll find an underpass.
[ but he can wing it. it's pouring, and when he calls there's the sound of water and a crash in the background. to drown out the sound, he covers his ear with his other hand. ]
Hey. You can tell when I'm eager?
[ hilarious. ]
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He's putting it off.]
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[ but he doesn't seem to concern himself with admitting that. it's nice to hear Akechi's voice, to ensure himself that he's all right so many miles away. ]
How are you holding up? Since this kidnapping wasn't exactly planned.
[ he's got thoughts, but it's best to open it to Akechi first. ]
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[That's the truth of it. Of course, Akechi doesn't like being drugged and dragged somewhere for reasons of powerlessness, but he can see the value of it here. Why it was happened.
And what it might get them in the long run.]
I suspect that the others will find this to be a sign that we'll never be allowed to live our own lives. I look forward to seeing more of the same from them.
[Sarcasm.]
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We've been uprooted for sure. [ but he never likes to say never in that respect. ] It'll be harder for people to realize that a situation like this may have more than one option.
[ either fulfill those expectations, or don't. ]
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Answers may not come tidily, but they can and will come.]
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We have to continue going forward, even if it's what we were kidnapped for.
[ he says it without a hint of hesitance. ]
Even if it might be what someone else wants.
[ there are other ways of thwarting that. ]
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[That is assuming that they will. It's possible that the findings here won't be satisfying enough.]
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It's time to Indiana Jones this up.
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Do you truly need an external reference for this?
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[ huh. ]
Hugs and kisses?
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[This is praise. Sort of.]
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[ there's a little inflection in his voice that raises, and he sounds momentarily boyishly delighted. ]
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Quite the call, Joker! It's very impressive.
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The condition is that you do the same.
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[Including being a pain in the ass.]
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[ he'll be disappointed if you don't steal at least one thing, Akechi. ]
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[But he'll take what he needs.]