WEEK 1

[strangerpeople]

WEEK 1

[You now know why you're here, Titled. The question now is, is there a way to get out of here without invoking the rules? What will those who brought you here do to get you to kill?

Time will tell.

There are fifteen strangers in this place.]

Comments

[foolishjustice]

[He gives Akira's shoulder a slight squeeze and, seeing that his friend is in a better mood, pulls his hand back. If there's any hesitation in letting go, it's entirely because he's still worried.]

I'll be providing drinks... [He flicks his wrist and offers Akira a bottle of Bepis.] Would you mind assisting with the food?

[beguiledcard]

[ He notices that hesitance... and one corner of his lips threatens to lift for just a split second. Yet, his expression doesn't actually shift until he hears that next part. ]

I can't say I'm too surprised.

[ To that, he does manage a small smile -- it's not... forced at all... ]

Not at all. [ He gives a nod. ] Anything specific you want made by me?

[foolishjustice]

Ordinarily I would request that delicious curry from Leblanc, but...that seems a bit much. It's not as though we know how far our finances have to stretch, after all...whatever you can make without spending too much of our money will do well enough.

[Unless they end up just getting Ms. Moneybags to pay for it all. But he doesn't know Croix well enough yet to know if that's a reasonable thing to ask her.]

[beguiledcard]

[ It won't be the first time he's had to stretch his funds for a small group... ]

Leave it to me.

[ He shifts in his stance... and then glances to the side for a moment. ]

... Mind just hanging out with me for a few minutes?

[ To visit some stores together, or something, really... ]

[foolishjustice]

[He pauses for a second, trying to think if he can remember Akira ever extending an invitation to him like this before. But no, all of their meetings he can remember have been by chance or at Leblanc...

Despite the stress of the situation, his lips quirk into a faint smile.]

Not at all. I'm always happy when we have the opportunity to spend time together.

[beguiledcard]

[ That smile is met by a small, almost tired one of his own. ]

Thanks.

[ He's turning and taking a step in the direction towards the various stores. He pauses just long enough to give Akechi a chance to start that way before continuing. ]

Anywhere you've been wanting to check out?

[foolishjustice]

Only a couple of the restaurants that I haven't yet visited, but that seems a little inappropriate while planning a lunchtime meeting. We could simply browse the department store and see if anything happens to catch our eyes.

[beguiledcard]

Well, we could always check the restaurants out later.

[ They'll need to eat more in the future, after all. Granted... Akira's not feeling especially hungry, which might explain the way his expression dims for a moment. ]

For now, your plan sounds good.

[foolishjustice]

[You look like you need a distraction. Have a pat on the arm as he walks.]

Perhaps we'll find ourselves lucky and discover something interesting we weren't expecting. Although, I doubt we can afford to buy much outside of necessities...

[beguiledcard]

[ He tilts his head a bit as he glances at Akechi. One corner of his lips lifts ever-so-slightly. ]

Well... it is a mall, so there's definitely room for surprises. [ He does nod, though; money is limited... Suddenly, his gaze lowers to the floor as they walk. ]

... Although, when I asked to hang out, it was... just that. [ A small, soft smirk. ] Right now, I couldn't care less about what we find.

[ Some of that anger resurfaces on his face. He hates this... a lot, actually. Feeling helpless, feeling... afraid, actually. There are people here that he'll fight like hell to protect, but once again... once again... he's almost nothing more than just some regular guy. He isn't going to give up. No, he'll keep fighting, and he will do everything possible to get everyone out of here.

... Also, he's realizing just a second, or two, later... how what he said might have sounded-- ]

It just matters that you're here.

[foolishjustice]

[He looks worried at that look of anger, but his expression softens at what Akira says last. Just him being here, with Akira, is important...it's a comforting statement.]

If my presence is truly such a comfort, then, you're welcome to request it whenever you wish. I'm always happy when we have the opportunity to spend time together.

[beguiledcard]

[ He glances over to see the detective's expression softening -- he's... glad he cleared that up, then. ]

... Same.

[ There's a slight lifting of the corners of his lips. ]

To both things.

[foolishjustice]

In that case, where we go doesn't make much of a difference, does it? Simply wandering the mall suits our purposes quite well.

[beguiledcard]

You know...

[ It might be obvious he's... trying really hard here to seem more okay than he feels. ]

I always imagined my first mall date being with way more people around.

[ GOSH, ALL THE PRIVACY... okay, no... this actually kind of reminds him a little of Mementos. The kind of place you'd expect to see totally packed full of people.

Also he just wanted to make a thing that's supposed to be joke. ]

[foolishjustice]

[Oh Akira, you and your joking jokes that are clearly only in jest.]

Disappointed that we won't be able to use fear of being separated by the crowds as an excuse to hold hands, Kurusu-kun?

[His tone is teasing, but he manages a pretty good approximation of genuine playful chiding.]

[beguiledcard]

[ Joking jokes that are only in jest, and are not at all tainted by confidant rank/memory shenanigans, even. ]

Studies show an overexposure to underestimation is bad for the heart, you know.

[ Ha. ]

I wouldn't need an excuse for something like that.

[ Annnd just adjusting his glasses on that note. ]

[foolishjustice]

That's...quite bold of you, all things considered.

[He taps his lip thoughtfully. He can't help but wonder...is that hypothetical taking into account the fact that they're the same sex?]

I suppose whoever you find as a girlfriend had best not be adverse to a little public affection.

[beguiledcard]

[ He releases a soft chuckle. In all seriousness... heeeee would never initiate hand-holding in a public place?

There's a blink at the last part. ]

Ah... well, I'm not the kind of person to just shove anything at anyone.

[ Stop assuming things about him, detective. It's rude. ]

I'd rather not make whoever I'm with uncomfortable, gender aside.

[ Super rude. ]

[foolishjustice]

['Gender aside'...is that meant to imply...?]

Ah...

[He's glad for his long hair, since it hides the way his ears are burning.]

You must...place quite a bit of trust in me...

[beguiledcard]

[ He could go for the obvious here -- Akechi is always blushing and he doesn't exactly make a point to stop their little... back-and-forths... or... ]

Was that really a question?

[ That insistent nudge again -- ever the reminder that there's a bond here that he can't remember the full creation of. Memories are a funny thing, he guesses. Not that he's complaining about just how strong bond the suddenly felt, upon waking here.

Just... about the fact that he can't remember how it got to be quite that strong. ]

Yeah. I do.

[foolishjustice]

Not a question, as much as...an observation. I can't imagine something such as what you just indicated would be easy to speak of, otherwise.

[beguiledcard]

I'd like to think it's a normal thing between friends.

[ Something in his expression flickers, dimming a bit. ]

But, that's coming from a guy who didn't exactly have any until recently.

[ A small lift of one shoulder is given, and his attempt at seeming just fine falters ever-so-slightly. He even lowers his head, almost as though purposefully obscuring his expression. ]

Trusting someone is easier said than done.

[ A deep breath, and then he's looking back up, expression firmer now. ]

... Is it because you're worried about what people would think about you?

[foolishjustice]

[He's a little surprised to hear Kurusu didn't have friends until recently, with the way his group has been growing. But then...given his own popularity, would anyone guess he used to be someone nobody looked at twice?

When Akira asks his question, Akechi's pace slows and he nods hesitantly.]

There's quite a lot of bias regarding such things...the public would regard me differently.

[beguiledcard]

[ ... ]

Hey.

[ He lifts an arm to gently rest it against Akechi's chest, attempting to guide him into following his lead; he stops walking. ]

At least for now, there aren't any of those psycho fans to judge you. [ He turns to face him, arm lowering to his own side. He's wearing what he hopes is an encouraging smile on his face. ] You deserve a moment to just be yourself.

[foolishjustice]

[Well, at least he doesn't accidentally walk right past Akira? He stops, and can't help but meet Akira's smile with a small one of his own.]

It's difficult for me to trust the opinions of people I've only recently met to not be fickle, but...I do feel as if I can trust you with more of my true self than I do others.