[open] just a cage of bone, nothing inside

[intrusivethot]

Who: Mirror!Akira & you!
Where: the Real Side gardens
When: May 14th, roughly midday and then evening
Rating: PG-13 with possibility for higher, will change accordingly
Summary: Akira's mirror strays from his queen's mission in search of more stimulating experiences...
responses will be from heartcrush
The Story:

The first half of the week saw Akira still debating the merits of the situation. Messing with his Real was good for a charge for a few days, knowing that after arriving in Wonderland he then got to struggle not to lose his first life on the other side amongst a different set of thieves and murderers than he's used to. Ha haa that's the bitch of being over here - he only got the secondhand accounts to look forward to. So unsatisfying.

It was tempting, too, to take another name, to put distance between himself and that trusting sap. He didn't care a stitch for the Queen's manhunt but if he could earn a name of his own on the little jaunt it will have been somewhat worth it. He's still on the lookout for a good time, a play mate, an interesting Treasure to see up close...

Hmm. One couldn't be too subtle about these things where chaos reigned supreme for a week. Akira put himself into a fairly obvious spot in full Phantom Thief regalia at various points throughout the day, mostly based around the large fountain that sits among the flowers, sitting along the rim of it like a black splotch on a crown jewel, dexterously playing with a knife in full view of any passerby, pulling his focus when he noticed he's not alone but not for a moment did it look like he was going to lose control of the blade.

"Ah, hello there. I find myself in need of distraction in this troubling time, if you might oblige."

Eventually, though, waiting stopped being his style. Just to keep up appearances of flushing out the Queen's quarry, Akira listened to his whim more than her word and took long, unhurried strides toward the Mansion proper. But not without touching his red-gloved hands to the bone white mask, dissolving into bright blue flame, his bare face set in bored amusement as a twisted spectral figure appears behind him and calls down lightning upon the garden's interior, fine tinder for an evening bonfire. It lights up a figure he didn't see before, the mask rematerializing on his face as his attention is jerked toward his guest.

"Hmm? Something you want to say then?"

Comments

[jurisdick]

[ Of all the information gathering he's managed to do thus far, he's come up embarrassingly empty in terms of the so-called "mirrors." Perhaps bitter memories of the Metaverse have been preventing him from forcefully crossing over. Or maybe, and more likely, it's the fear of what his own Mirror would reveal to the Phantom Thieves. After all, if a mirror is the opposite of one's self, he can only begin to imagine what he'd be like. What sort of filthy honest words would spill forth like water. He just couldn't have that. Not yet, anyway.

It's also probably not so great that he hasn't been keeping tabs on the network, that he hasn't exactly realized what was going on. That Mirrors were going to be more prevalent on this side. That the interactions he was going to have this week weren't going to be as light and polite as they had been since arriving here.

He definitely didn't suspect - and damn that's embarrassing for an ace detective - that one (1) Kurusu Akira would be one of those victims of the mirror. This persists even after he's caught the attention of his teammate (leader?) and he glances over. .... Why on Earth is Joker dressed like that right now? He lifts a brow but, to avoid any sort of suspicion, heads over with his hands easily stuffed in his pockets. ]

Ah, hello again, Joker. Is something the matter?

[ Because he didn't exactly hear what Akira had said and just assumed he had been trying to get his attention. Prepare yourself, Goro. ]

[heartcrush]

[ Ah, if ever there were someone that Akira's mirror would hand pick to talk to, it would be Akechi. Hell, he was considering tracking him down if things continued Not Happening to disastrous effect. On the other side, Goro is a profoundly milquetoast specimen but he's good for an evening's entertainment. This Akechi might be good for a little more, memories of Goro-chan's little secrets drip-dripping on the top of Akira's head like persistent, light rain.

Something liquid slides in Akira's eyes, an odd red gleam about them shadowed behind the mask. ]

Terribly wrong, Akechi-kun. I'm having a hard time - hmm.

[ Gaze skating away, he keeps a sigh locked behind his pressed-thin lips. ]

I don't think I should say...

[jurisdick]

That doesn't sound pleasant.

[ Is it about the team? It would do him well to save some face and pretend to be concerned, right? After all, he had told Akira that he had been part of the group. And, to be fair, he had been spending some time with them all since arriving here. So while he was feigning concern it wasn't the hardest thing he ever had to do. ]

Wouldn't it be best to talk it out? I heard I'm a good sounding board for things like this. Or, at least, according to Sae.

[ It's so painfully fake of a smile as he crosses the last short distance so he's standing in front of him. ]

for the record: first tag after moving XD

[heartcrush]

[ What an admirable attempt at bullshit. Not-Akira could almost feel the sympathy pulsing close to the surface of Akechi's skin, a paperthin excuse for a barrier keeping his liar's blood from poisoning whatever it might clumsily spill on and singe. He likes this Akechi. He does need to be released from this illusion of civilization, though, after a spell. ]

Sae-san is usually sensible; thank you, I really appreciate it.

[ He gives Akechi a grateful smile, eyes dropping with the tip of the knife when it's turned down and balanced on the surface of the fountain's concrete and twirling it. A deadly little ballerina. ]

I was having a hard time figuring out...

[ Another sigh, a false start - Akira is good at pretending this is hard to talk about. ]

...how you sleep on that pile of bullshit you spew out every day. I mean, I've heard of making your bed and having to lie in it but you, Akechi Goro, are a whole new breed, you know that?

there are no words for this; also tagging this with immense inevitable spoilers

[jurisdick]

[ ..... what?

There's a chilling silence as Akechi's eyes focus solely on the way the blade spins about, just barely scraping against the fountain. It takes him a moment to run through all the possibilities. Had he been found out? Had someone spilled the beans - ah, maybe his Mirror had gone running its mouth? But that'd have to mean someone crossed over, and by his accounts no one had, so why on earth was Kurusu spouting such harsh nonsense - Ah. Harsh. That's how it was.

Hands lace innocently behind his back and his head tips to the side. ]

I have no idea what you mean, Kurusu. Did you hit your head?

[ the smile still pretty on his face but his eyes twinkling with something akin to darkness. Behind his back his hands are twisting together, nails scraping against flesh. This wasn't Akira, was it? And even if it was, he had no right. ]

allllll the spoilers to come

[heartcrush]

I think you know the answer to that.

[ Deflection is not a good look for you, detective.

It's pretty telling. Akechi's willingness to essentially pretend he didn't hear what this Akira said offers some interesting theories. Mainly that he's not willing to throw the real Akira under the bus as quickly as he'd thought. Aw,isn't that sweet.

His head tips back, turning his face up to the sun even as he proves to be more akin to a Shadow - some would say the true self. Akira wouldn't have one, being a Persona users, so this is the closest there would be: a Mirror darkly. Worried Akechi might see something similar in it's maddening, impossible depths? ]

Amazing, the amount you've deluded yourself into thinking you've fooled them all. [ A familiar quicksilver smile is shot Akechi's way. ] Wouldn't it feel good to take that mask off for a little bit?

You can tell me anything. Everyone else does~.

[jurisdick]

[ Deluded himself?

No, he was quite certain they all were fooled. That even Shido himself was fooled. True, they may know bits and pieces, but his master plan was carefully safeguarded. Unless. Unless his Mirror started blabbing. That aforementioned worry continued prickling at his mind. Things were safe so long as only the Mirror version of Akira knew about his horrible, horrible crimes. ]

You're the one wearing a mask, to be frank, Kurusu. [ Akechi says it pleasantly, though there's a bit of an edge once he gets to the other boy's name. His hand, for dramatic show, comes around from his back and splays over his own face for dramatic representation. ]

And I would, but I have a hunch you know all there is to tell. Call it a detective's intuition. Wouldn't we both be wasting each other's valuable time if we rehashed it all? [ Saccharine sweet and he lets his hand drop from his face, eyes a bit darker than before. ] So... are we done here?

[heartcrush]

[ The first hint of real scorn threads Akira's voice like a livid wound. ]

Pathetic. That's really the best you have?

[ Why does he waste his time. Shouldn't be surprised considering who it is he's talking to - that Mirror came from this delusional idiot. The Wild Card, how hilarious...

He'll sate his annoyance with the blade then. Akira disappears in a black streak with even more speed than his Real thanks to his Persona, rematerializing with something pressing lightly but with threat underneath the knot of the detective's striped tie, murder muted in his gaze behind the mask. ]

It's not a rehash if I'm on the menu, is it Goro? I'm not some stepping stone for you to forget after my body's cold.

[ This is rather invigorating. His mouth tips up, something solicitous in it as he speaks with both his mouth and the real Akira's. ]

But you won't do that either. I can tell.

[jurisdick]

[ That was unexpected.

There's a lurch in his stomach and the world slows down. If this had been anyone but Akira, maybe he would have reacted faster, would have jerked his arm up and caught the blade with his own damn hands before it got anywhere near his tie.

But no. This was Kurusu, captivating and intriguing Kurusu. So he hesitates and finds himself in quite the conundrum.

Without warning, his eyes narrow and he lifts his hand up to ghost over Akira's. There's a definitive glare, darkness swirling in his eyes. He can't help the way his tongue swipes his bottom lip. So this Mirror wanted to play, huh? Wanted to reveal his every misdeed to the world? ]

You continue to surprise me, Kurusu. [ He says it slowly, hand sliding away from Akira's down along his arm, fingertips featherlight as they dart up to Akira's throat. Threatening. Daring. ] But that isn't a bad thing - in fact, it makes this whole thing must less boring. Sometimes, I think we could even be great friends.

[ He lets it drawl, blunt nails gingerly pressing to skin. ]

But a Mirror wouldn't know that sentiment, would it?

[heartcrush]

[ So transparent. Akira doesn't know if he loves or hates Akechi throwing up walls and weakly deflecting when those fell like dominos. He thinks he loves it. He thinks he loves anything that brings him to move, to put into motion the danger inherent in potential made manifest: the Wild Card drawn in reverse.]

I don't.

[ The Mirror confirms it with a subtle push forward so that restraint has less of a place than it did before - to hell with it. To hell with them, these two in the same empty pod. ]

But I've tasted its echo - I think you have too. [ A slow smile dawns.] I know his thoughts - I am him. Don't you want to know what goes on in that pretty little head of his?

[jurisdick]

I don't care what he thinks.

[ It's brutally honest. Yes, Akira fascinates him. Yes, he's envious of him. Yes, he finds him to be an interesting person in general, and a good addition to the calm atmosphere of Leblanc, but that's not to say he cares. He doesn't care at all what Kurusu likes, what he thinks, what his motives are. It's immaterial. ]

And I'm sure the feeling is, for the most part, mutual.

[ Even if Akira has this strange connection to people, he can't possibly care what Akechi thinks. What he does. Akira is only looking out for his own well-being, for his team.

That stupid, selfishly selfless moron.

His fingers strum against the sides of the Mirror's throat. ]

[heartcrush]

[ Not-Akira draws some air through a sharp grimace, seemingly taking no note of Akechi's grip threatening him.]

Eek, that's where you'd be wrong.

[The knife's blade is wagged back and forth, now a finger waved to a naughty child. Tut tut, detective-san, no cookie for you. He's ignoring the part where Akechi says he doesn't care of course, because that's ridiculous in a whole other direction.]

Isn't it infuriating how for as many people he seems to fit in his heart, he always seems to have room for more?

I mean my heart, I am thou, thou art a pain in the ass, you know the mantra.

[ Then the set of his expression goes more neutral, mask and outfit dissolving in a flurry of blue flames and leaving just Akira Kurusu staring back at Akechi from behind his dark framed glasses. The knife is still pressed to his throat.]

Don't call him that. [ The Mirror shakes its head, responding to someone as if recalling a specific conversation,
but only half of it. Like a phone call.]

No, I just talk to him sometimes at the cafe. I don't see that much of a difference between us.

[ A wrinkle forms between his brows.]

Even if he is, he's following his own idea of justice right? That doesn't make him bad, he's just - he doesn't deserve to be on that poll. I'm not defending him, I -

[ Shock is a rare sight on Akira's face. Even rarer is the tinge of pink rising in his cheek, faint but visible from this close up as the Mirror emulates Akira looking away, mute for a moment.]

It's not like that.

[jurisdick]

[ what is he doing?

there's a cold panic that snakes its way down him again. his hands flex instinctively, and he tries to swallow down the thoughts at the conversation. he tries to ignore the way akira looks vulnerable, looks real, looks like he's trying to defend him. what a spineless piece of shit. he truly, vehemently hates this guy.

he... ]

Don't act like you know me. You know nothing about me, Kurusu.

[ he says it coldly, dismissively, like he's retreating in on himself.

akira doesn't know him. he doesn't know anything. this useless delinquent doesn't know the slightest bit about what he's capable of, what he's capable of.

his hand does slip from akira's throat, though, and moves to try and nudge the knife away. can we please get that to go away? ]

[heartcrush]

Hmm. You're right.

[ Akechi talks like he's him. An interesting thought: does he think them no different, but perhaps as entities on a spectrum? Or is it so upsetting, and what is upsetting, the idea that someone might care or that someone would play at it?

One must give to receive. The bespectacled image of his Real remains in place as he at least gives the appearance of equity, the blade slipping away and accompanied by a kinder glint in the slate grey like a vein of marble, of diamond. ]

I can only guess at how good or bad of a person you are. How lonely you might be, in the center of attention and yet completely cut off from them. From me.

[ He's pathetic, that's for sure. Akira doesn't care about good or bad, and unlike his Real doesn't give a shit about a bodycount, but not being bored. Akechi is pathetic and murderous and not boring. He'll keep this one.

Ah, but the more he likes things the more he wants to wiggle their parts and see if they break off.

The hand comes back, emptied of the knife's handle and quickly filled with the material of Akechi's tie, reeling him in a bit closer. Don't think you're getting away that easy. ]

Is it that surprising that someone wants to know you? That someone likes you? That someone defends you like you're a person?

[ Whoops, you're not. You're not remotely worth defending so you should be stupidly grateful that Akira wants to keep you around, a decidedly coquettish edge to his regard now. ]

I should think I know enough.

[jurisdick]

[ there's bitterness in his mouth. it tastes like blood, copper and tangy and all sorts of wrong. there's an instinctual, primal urge to viciously swat away akira's offending hand. he doesn't want him touching him, his clothes, anything. even if this is a mirror, it's still a copy of that person. that person that was threatening to undo everything he had so meticulously planned. this moronic attic trash that was somehow so special. ]

You think I'm lonely? [ he nearly spits it, his eyes betraying the calm tone. ] Hardly. People are expendable pawns. I learned that at an early age, Kurusu.

[ but to answer the rest of kurusu's prying, upsetting, trouble questions -- ]

I don't need the pity of some attic trash that takes it upon himself to befriend the entirety of Tokyo in a few months time. His ill-placed kindness is wasted.

[ and then calmly, the saccharine smile back in place as he reaches up to try and pry akira's fingers, one by one, off his tie. ] Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.