[KATY PERRY'S HOT N' COLD PLAYS IN THE BG] closed to Goro Akechi

[redreigning]

Who? disaster boys
What? good!ren takes akechi for the sushi pissed!ren invited him to
When? sometime during easter event idk
Where? nova city

( this nagging sensation that ren needed to find the him that walked out of the room hasn't dissipated in the least, even over the course of a few days past. it really doesn't help that he also feels the need to stop and help every single individual he comes across that's in need of it, this has really eaten into his time.

a new approach might help, which is what finally takes him out of central genessia and into the gateway that leads to nova city. this place is enormous, he can't just keep walking around the same area and expect to run into the other him by sheer luck. his luck never quite works the way he'd like it to anyway. it's gotten him to the desired outcome on more than one occasion, sure, but the ride there is usually...not what he expected.

for instance, he's looking for his other, but instead luck brings him to the back of another familiar head of hair, the sight of which immediately stops him in his tracks. )

Akechi...?

( his pulse trips. who would have thought he'd run into akechi again so soon, and of all the places he could have chosen to investigate? that luck, man.

there's a conscious effort to raise his voice (against this weird need to keep it down and polite lately) as he hurries to catch up with him. )

Ah - Akechi!

( hi akechi, guess who doesn't remember dick about the salty way he treated you. )

Comments

[misalignment]

[ the need to stop and help every single individual isn't one he can relate with. and having people like that around isn't one he can really relate to either (outside of witnessing the thieves do it), because it's a feeling people don't direct at him.

akechi doesn't look like he needs help, walking down the street like he knows exactly where he's going - only to just now stop and lean his head to the side, debating if the egg he spotted was worth touching in any capacity. he's lucked out so far (candy, a bottle of syrup for lord knows what reason, and actual cookies - none of which he will ever eat) but he's seen the network. ]

Hm? [ it's ren. great. there's a momentary sigh and he turns to look at him, wondering why the hell team leader is making an active effort to get his attention ]

Hello. Having a good day?

[redreigning]

( good is subjective, but ren is going to assume being split apart in a strange city falls towards the more objectively bad end of the spectrum. still, something in him urges to remain positive, not an entirely difficult thing to do when the smile on his face feels exceptionally genuine at the moment. )

I don't know if 'good' is the word I'd pick. Running into a friend makes it better, though.

( friend? friend. it's always a special day when akechi shows up, isn't it. he's polite and fun to talk to, didn't hesitate to approach ren even when the whole of his school wouldn't look at him, and if there was ever a reason he'd found not to like him, that reason must have gone somewhere with the rest of him!

anyway. the smart thing to do here is probably to ask akechi to help him look for that other part of him, but instead ren is fidgeting with his necklace and throwing glances like. some poofy-haired schoolgirl. no wait...like a goroboy. )

Are... ( inhale. ) Are you busy?

[misalignment]

A friend? I see. [ There's a bit of a pointed look following the words, chin tilting upwards. We playing nice again? Is that what they're just going to do from now on? Have those friendly conversations until one of them verbally slashes the other's throat. Fine.

Akechi folds his arms, watching him carefully. Is he fidgeting? What? ] Not particularly, no. I was actually headed home. [ To figure out something to do, perhaps. Work on something that doesn't have a deadline anywhere soon. ] Do you need me for something?

[redreigning]

Home...

( softly, under his breath. has akechi made a home here? there's a difference, he thinks, between a home and house, and he wonders which meaning rests behind that word. back in their world, akechi seemed to want to be anywhere but "home" - interviews, work, leblanc. he shakes his head, stops fiddling with the necklace so he can play with his fringe instead. )

It's not that I needed something, exactly. But, the other day ( the other day... ) I invited you out for sushi, yeah?

[misalignment]

[ He still doesn't like sitting there when there's any ounce of free time. Current living residence was probably the more appropriate phrasing. But the space doesn't feel as desolate as his apartment back in their own world. He has a plant, for example. Just to see if he could keep one alive. So far so ...slightly over-watered.]

You did, in front of several feline witnesses. Was I sought out for that or is this a happy coincidence?

[redreigning]

( trading in your trigger finger for a green thumb is an improvement all in itself, akechi inb4 he has to add plants to his list of victims. ) That's right! ( ren's eyes brighten with recognition, laughter knocking loose from his chest. ) How could I have pawssibly forgotten Midnight's blessing over the arrangement? ( it was indeed a happy coincidence, but that's not what he admits to when he leans slightly into akechi's personal space, mildly ignorant of the barrier his folded arms are meant to represent. ) If I say I was seeking you out, would that increase the chances of you coming with me?

[misalignment]

[ Its days are numbered. ]

You couldn't have. Your mind is so incredibly purrsistent. [ Akechi's smiling along but there's a bit of an unease to it. Was Ren just genuinely laughing at his own pun? That seems incredibly light for someone that owns about 40 masks.

The space is being invaded but he remains firmly planted in the spot, even if he does lean ever so slightly back. What the fuck are you so happy about right now? ]

Yes, but now I can't help but suspect it might be a lie.

[redreigning]

( what's there not to be happy about? he loves his friends :) ) A lie can be a good thing, if it leads to a better outcome. ( he nudges akechi's shoulder, all familiar-like. as if he were ryuji or something, as if this is perfectly adequate behavior between the two of them. ) Like the one where you show me your favorite sushi place, because my plan to find one and impress you by our next encounter is failing right before our eyes.

[misalignment]

Have you truly believed that this entire time?

[ Akechi goes incredibly tense. His shoulders raise up and the guarded posture turns more into hugging himself than just folding his arms before he takes a step to the side, further away from him and drops them to his sides. ] ...A-Ah ha. Right. You wouldn't know anywhere, would you?

[ No way he wants to impress him. There is a strong possibility he's being royally fucked with by Ren right now. There is also a strong possibility of getting free food out of this, which makes it slightly less awful. He has to know where he is going with this anyway. What's his angle? What is the goal? ]

There's one close by. [ He points before taking a few steps to head in the direction, watching him v e r y c a r e f u l l y. ]

[redreigning]

( ren blinks. this entire time - before or after his arrival here? regardless, he chuckles. ) That I'm not above lying for the greater good? Of course, detective. ( excuse him while he just, slips one hand into his pocket, while the other hooks on the inside of akechi's elbow. there's nothing heavy about it, a light touch to let akechi know that he can lead the way, and no amount of careful stares can stop him. ) Is it the type of place where I need to prepare my wallet for gutting? ( like, how bloody are we talking here. )

[misalignment]

Do you think it's better to lie than to-...Oh. What are you doing?

[ He's thrown off the question. Blinking rapidly at him. This is an interesting invasion of personal space, Ren. He has no idea what to do about it. Has anyone ever linked arms with Goro Akechi before? No. Absolutely not. His brows knit and he's caught just staring at his hand and getting lost in thought trying to figure it out. Almost misses that he was being asked a question at all. ]

What? Ha ha. Not really. It's fair. Don't worry, I don't eat a lot anyway. [ Is he supposed to just...? He takes one cautious step forward, looking at Ren's face again before trying to roll with it and keep walking. Is this a power move or something? ]

[redreigning]

( is this weird? because ren doesn't actually realize he's doing anything weird. when you're fond of someone, you get close to them. like your character and design are based on some cat. that's not weird. ) I don't want to lose you, that's all. ( subtly, his fingers curl into the crease of akechi's elbow. he might be making the :3 face. ) I've never been in this area before. It reminds me of something... ( he looks to the moving sidewalks, the sky-tall structures and general...sci-fi-ness) it's really...Jetson-y. ( 60's cartoon references aside, it's an interesting place, and he takes another moment or two observing the chromatic #aesthetic before chuckling at the response to his question. ) On a diet of coffee and sushi, maybe you should. ( then again. this arm he's holding is pretty. hard. ) Ha. Or maybe I'm the one who should be asking for nutrition tips. ( squeeze squeeze. ) Do you work-out, Akechi? I never saw you at the gym back in Tokyo.

[misalignment]

[ What is liking someone and engaging in physical contact? ]

It would be difficult to lose me unless I ran ahead of you. [ Just saying. Akechi's eyebrows are all the way up into his hairline. What an odd situation. He turns head to face forward but keeps looking at him from the corner of his eyes. ] I have a Rosie but she's not witty and more of a glorified roomba.

[ He's disappointed by the robot cleaning service the apartment he has came with because it doesn't hold conversations. ]

[ A curious look at first, wondering if he seems too thin somehow. Then there's arm squeezing. He hasn't let up on working out. If anything he's lack of outlets have him doing it more often. He laughs a little sheepishly, waving a hand at him a bit. Stop that. ]

You shouldn't have saw me. I went to one in Akihabara that was a bit out of the way since it had most difficult rock walls. None of the regulars paid too much attention to me and if it had a crowded day, I'd just ride my bike around instead.

♥

[redgloves]

( being out of his domain, joker knew it was only a matter of time before his imminent capture by the corrupted of this world. all worlds were the same, in the end, were they not? ruled by the rotten and misguided, undeserving of his mercy but he is benevolent enough to show it despite that, picking the world clean one piece of garbage at a time.

he's restless, can feel his nerves jittering with the need to move but remains calm at the table he's cuffed to. this should be, for all intent and purposes, a terrifying scenario, considering the last time he was in this type of situation. joker feels no fear though, and whether that's the fault of detachment or recklessness, he can't say nor does he care. in fact, he seems almost bored with the whole predicament, until the door opens and its entrant sparks the light back into his eyes. )

Oh...?

( a smile, slowly baring teeth as he turns in his chair. the metal chains clink against the table as he moves his hand to rest his cheek on his fist. )

Well isn't this scene familiar? Are you surprised to see me, petit oiseau?

[misalignment]

[ it's not akechi's arrest. but he takes it over once he hears about it. that's a friend, he says and everyone in the station disregards certain protocols because they think him nice enough to simply hand it over. no bribery needed. no strings being pulled behind the scenes. all him. because goro akechi always around. he knows everyone's name. he does his job and does it well. it's his domain because he made it so.

there's a certain cockiness he doesn't bother covering up, seeing him cuffed to a table when he gets in there. familiar, indeed. though he doesn't look like he was just beaten, drugged, and interrogated. quite the opposite, the smug bastard. and he's pretty sure he's not an illusion this time. "little bird"? he just smirks at it, sliding into the seat across from him. ] Not particularly surprised, no. Tu as été très vilain.

[ he tilts his head, utterly amused. ] How ever did you end up in here this time?

[redgloves]

( his eyes lid behind his mask, hand falling to touch his own chest with the tips of red-gloved fingers. ) Moi? ( that's some balls on you, kid. if anyone should be on this side of the table, it's the treacherous filth currently smiling at the opposite end. joker huffs out a soft sound of amusement, hand flipping over, palm-up towards akechi. what put him in here shouldn't matter, because he will be out of here very soon - more importantly: ) Is that not the fault of my prior executioner? For being...désordonné. ( sloppy. careless. how do you miss a shot point blank to the head, he'd ask, except of course weasels can't aim for shit. his hand comes back to rest under his chin, and his mouth meets akechi's smirk for smirk. ) I see you still wear your mask. Would the inhabitants of this world not welcome a lying, traitorous murderer into their fold?

[misalignment]

[ They could have been having so many intelligent conversations. There's casual French being dropped in here, for example. He doubts anyone but perhaps Okumura and Niijima even have an inkling of how to use any of these words properly.

Instead, Ren's going for the kill again. Playfulness sprinkled with vindictiveness. Why does he bother? He didn't miss. Akechi manages to keep the smirk on his face, though his lids lower. Eyes tilting down at the cuffs. ]

We'll never know, will we? I'm not going to tell them. Are you? [ Akechi leans back in his chair, one leg crossing over the other. He holds a hand up in a mocking wave, keys dangling from his index finger into his palm. ] I think I changed my mind about why I came in here. [ Stick around a while, Ren. ]

[redgloves]

They won't believe me. ( short and flat, the most to the point sentence that has come out of his mouth since he appeared in this strange city. joker feels no need to dance his way around that fact - he learned long ago that his words held no weight when spoken only through his mouth. the jingle of keys catches his attention, and he clicks his tongue. ) Chose effrontée... You think I need autorisation in order to escape from this place? ( the chains don't allow him much distance, but there is enough for him to kick his feet up onto the table, the edge touching a black-clad thigh as he chuckles. ) I've beaten you once already, but you will insist on further display of your bumbling inadequacy? ( returned mockery: he makes a gun with his fingers, aims and points it steadily at where he assumes akechi's heart must be, had he such a thing. ) Your mind is not what needs changing.

[misalignment]

Most likely not. [ Though, as much as he'd hate to admit, people here might listen to him a little more then they would back home. There are so many hero types around that are quick to believe everyone's stories. Ren connects with people easily. He could turn everyone against him if he tried hard enough, even if Akechi spent almost a year trying to win everyone here over. ]

Oh, I'll know you'll try to get out. [ He shakes his head, closing his eyes a moment with that affixed smile. Eyes flickering back open Ren with a glare at his imitation gun before he rolls them hard enough that he might have become dizzy. Not having to hide every displeasure he's feeling is kind of nice, actually. ]

...Try being the optimal word here. Aiming to steal from me?

[redgloves]

( the annoyance is honest, and that tugs at the corner of his mouth. joker draws his gun back so he can cradle his chin in his fingers, observing his rival through eyes as cool as gunmetal. ) That depends, non? Certainly, your heart is full enough with sin to fill my hand. But if you came in here with le désir de parler, then I am patient enough to hear your words. ( aka let's hear what the traitor has to say for himself. even if it changes nothing, joker is curious, and a being who thrives on indulgence. ) For instance ( the chains clink as he holds his hands out ) I am quite interested to know how it is you think I returned from décès you handed me.

[misalignment]

[ This is so much different than how he was acting before. It's like Ren's mask broke and he can't help proving Akechi right about every thought he's had about how cocky and arrogant he is. Undeserving of being considered so kind. The look he has on now is ice. Akechi wronged him so he seeks to take him down. It's only fair, he supposes. Everyone's the same in the end... ]

Ah. You never wanted me to talk before, have you? I was actually planning on making a judgement call. Not speak.

[ But Akechi sighs again, opening his hands again in a wide over-exaggerated shrug. ] Ce serait un tour de magie. I never harmed you at all. [ He pulls his arms in, tracing a circle on the table with a finger. ] You know this. You all know this. Because you lied and lied and lied. Plotting around me every single day. Thinking yourself far too clever to try and reason with someone you labeled bad from the start. Never once tried to stop me. Never asked why. You just let it happen. You don't count as one of my sins.

[redgloves]

( a harsh noise burst from his chest, low and mocking, caught somewhere between a laugh and a scoff. judgement? and who does akechi think he is, to put that word in his mouth? ) Do you think yourself God, rather than le pleurnichard petit oiseau you are? ( as far as joker is concerned, the privilege of talking was thrown off the table the moment betrayal came to knock it aside. he grins sharply, white and full of teeth cut half into his face. ) C'est vrai. Of course I know. I wanted to hear it from your own mouth. ( a trick? illusion, akechi, illusion! a trick is something a whore does for money. he really should stop. as unperturbed as akechi presents himself to be, the words that cascade from within him would almost seem to carry a wayward emotion or two. but the thrill of drawing it out like this is a temptation joker does not want to turn from - it's fun, in that dangerous sort of way he constantly seeks. ) Lies are a part of the game, and you assumed because you had more chips and a head start, you were fated for victory. ( his feet come down as he raises his hands slightly from the table. ) But unlike you, I don't share my hand with fate. I make my own calls. ( in a flash of movement, joker whips his hands forward and the cuffs fly off, cinching around akechi's wrists instead. the method behind this trick becomes apparent when joker produces three lockpicks held between his fingers. he climbs onto the table to sit himself comfortably, sliding along its edge until his legs are folded beside akechi. akechi was not wrong about arrogance. joker's expression is the very picture of it. ) And now? ( his hand finds akechi's cuffed one, fingers lacing briefly so he can rip the keyring from its hold, spinning it on his own index finger. ) If I were to ask le traître pécheur why? What would he have to say?

[misalignment]

[ Of course, he never said what he was making a judgement call on. What a better position to decide if this version of an afterlife should be spent trying something over the right way than in a room mirroring when they both betrayed the other? On if he should set him free easily on the basis of establishing a friendship (a truce, as futaba offered him) or if he should write him up, doing his job properly in regards to whatever crime was committed to land him in here. Disregard all feelings. ]

[ There's disappointment at first, an utterly crushed look at the cuffs upon his wrists. A scenario he's pictured several thousand times over. Think himself a god? No. Never. He's let down again. Probably got toyed with from the start. Silly conversations about cats and promising food plans are just gathering information and toying. A cat standing in front of a mouse, watching it move back and forth. Poking it with a paw to keep the game going and letting it think it won't dig its claws in deep and tear it to shreds with its teeth once it grows tired of it.

If he wasn't so upset, picking locks like that would be considered impressive. Disappointment is overrides by the stronger emotion, being angry about it. The one he falls back on when there's nothing else. Fate wouldn't always be so cruel if he held any power at all. He grasps at what little he can get here - the only security. Being mad always felt like control over something. He uses it to laugh at the situation, a little maniacal. Unpracticed. It really is funny that he bothered at all with this. And Joker still thinks he can change his own destiny. The idiot. The world is a terrible place.

He flips his hands over on the table, palms flat on it. Just. Laughing. ]

You can't ask now, you smug piece of shit. [ He doesn't want to say anymore. ] It's too late for that. Everything's already done. [ An intact of breath, chuckling between words unevenly. ] Are you going to leave now? I'd love to have all the footage of you fleeing a police department here. Can't start somewhere without a record, can we?

[redgloves]

( the laughter should be concerning, or at the very least, unnerving. but sympathy, fear, compassion - much like the cuffs on his wrists moments ago, he's freed himself from such restraints. all his weakness housed in a single, convenient entity neatly separated from what matters: his anger. his ambition. )

Non... ( a smirk, low laughter, sharp and deep; the plunge of a knife. ) Not just yet.

( footage of him leaving - does that imply there are cameras in here too? if someone were watching, surely they would have come in here to aid the boy already. or perhaps he was cocky enough to insist he needed no such thing - it was a personal matter, after all. but to be so foolish, alone with someone carrying a grudge against you...joker is too classy, above dirtying his hands in such a manner, but that isn't to say akechi wouldn't rightly deserve the punishment. he isn't too concerned with recognition either - they took his coat, but the mask is firmly stuck to his skin.

regardless, joker stops spinning the key by catching it firmly in his palm. )

Start ( he chuckles, tossing the keyring into his other hand, uncrosses and crosses his legs again the opposite way ) wrong again, oiseau, I have no intention to remain in this place. L'autre moi ( a derisive snort ) wherever he has found himself now, can remain here to rot and carry blame. This is all he's good for, since his presence otherwise does nothing but weigh me down.

( if there is something that could potentially be more unsettling than akechi's unbridled laughter, it's joker being so coldly dismissive of his other half. the heat of his smile doesn't match with it at all, and when his hand finds and cups akechi's jaw, there's a firmness to it - a threat that his weaker side never would have allowed in its grip.

he turns the other's face towards him, fingertips sliding, uninvited, along the edge of his jaw in a manner meant to emphasize the power imbalance currently set in place between them. )

Without that ennuyeux piece of me in the way, I will take that city. ( his thumb finds akechi's pulse, forcing into it as he leans over him ) Saleté like you will have no place in it.

[misalignment]

[ The cameras do exist but he doubts anyone is bothering to watch them, nor are they actually recording right now. He wouldn't be caught dead ( ha. ) with footage of himself talking to Ren Amamiya in here, should any odd activity start happening. Like it is right now. There isn't even audio.

Though there are a few security ones outside of the room. He would get seen leaving, if he ran out suspiciously. Not that it would really hold up for much unless Akechi let himself be found in here handcuffed later and pointed fingers. Empty threats meant to see if he could make him hesitate and pinpoint his mindset. ]

Oh? So you have an escape plan, do you? [ Akechi thinks he might have had any doubts confirmed (it's all an act. he's just as bad as everyone else.) until Joker lets such an important detail slip out. His presence. That's right...

Eggs. The fucking eggs. This is an utterly ridiculous situation. Akechi's still laughing but it gets louder, reaches his eyes and becomes less unhinged, He practically snorts at the rush of feeling the realization brings with it. (Relief? Not sure.) This is. Actually funny. He got handcuffed by Ren Amamiya's ID. There's no sympathy in there, most likely. Kindness. Rationality. If roles reversed and it were him to be split in half, he would probably have executed him by now. Made it really painful too. How far could Ren go without anything that makes him likable to others? He has no doubt he'd be capable of many horrible things.

Laughing dies out fairly quickly once there's a hand on him. Quieting down to a nervous little stop and an sharp intake of breath. Keeps smiling but alarm probably reached the eyes before he could stop it. Doesn't pull away. The fingers make him shiver. He just locks eyes.

How fast is his pulse? Probably too fast. He's going full sugar-sweet interview voice. ] That's bold of you. I think you'd make a terrible city ruler. And what a shame. Unfortunately, I'm incapable of being disposed of.