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

Depends on who you ask? (If it's Kurama the answer is yes.)

[byanyother_name]

I expect they can, considering we're currently dependent on our phones to evoke them. That would be why it isn't practical, a defence you can't use against the true enemy is barely one at all.

The Life Coach said we may be able to learn to use them independently, however. Should I achieve that, well, then I'll change my opinion. [Said with a sunny smile and maybe a bit of a wink. He may or may not be actually trying to fluster Akechi.]

(...Akechi too, given his take on bombs as weapons.)

[foolishjustice]

[It'll take a bit more than that to fluster him, since he's inclined to assume that sort of thing is joking. He does nod, however.]

I've been practicing quite a bit, as well. It seems as though the healing properties fade twenty minutes after I create the drink...

[Don't ask how he knows that.]

But it seems prudent to create a stockpile, just in case resources run out...either from lack of money, or our captors holding them hostage.

These boys.

[byanyother_name]

[He will learn better, in time. Kurama isn't exactly overt but he's definitely not ashamed. Right now he's more learning Akechi's reactions than anything, though, so it's still good data.]

Isn't that the same amount of time it takes you to be able to create another? Perhaps the healing energy simply returns to you at that point to be re-infused.

[Now Akechi gets a nod!] Absolutely. The human body can go much longer without food than without liquid.

Akechi's a teenager, what's Kurama's excuse?

[foolishjustice]

A plausible theory. I had also considered that it might be a deliberate limiting factor, to prevent me from healing a large number of people at once. The amount of healing seems relative to the amount of liquid consumed, so splitting a single serving between multiple people would result in partial recovery at best.

But, it's more mundane uses can't be denied. If not for the delivery method of the healing, I would be deprived of my usual cafe order. And it's saved me a noticeable amount of money, as well.

He's a demon?

[byanyother_name]

That's also a possibility. As well, it could be because you are new to the power. The Life Coach seemed to indicate that we might grow stronger.

[Kurama looks rather amused before glancing at his watch and tossing a spray of bullets over his shoulder. They all hit targets.]

I'm sure we're all better off for it. The deprivation of a coffee addict is a dangerous thing and we are trying to prevent these murders.

But a sneaky type demon!

[foolishjustice]

Now, it's not as if Leblanc has spoiled me too much. I'm certain the coffee here would be palatable if necessary.

[Yeah, he's...not even going to argue the coffee addict part. He's sure people have seen by now that he has multiple cups in a day.]

Look at his friends. Look at his choices.

[byanyother_name]

I see you don't try to claim that it hasn't spoiled you at all, Akechi-san~ [There is a light, teasing lilt to it. Playful. It's quite the contrast to the intense, serious conversations they've had about their situation.

But Kurama knows how hard it is to sustain focus without lighter moments.]

Fair enough.

[foolishjustice]

I'm not sure I could keep a straight face if I did. Their house blend is simply too delicious to not spoil me a little.

[byanyother_name]

Perhaps I'll have to try it sometime. I tend to reserve coffee for late nights, but given you sing this particular blend's praises so fervently...

[foolishjustice]

That's simple enough to manage.

[He flicks his wrist, and abruptly there's a cup of black coffee in his hand.]

It might simply be a copy, but it's exactly as I remember it from the cafe.

[byanyother_name]

That is a terribly convenient ability, isn't it?

[He sounds rather amused, a small smile tugging at his lips as he reaches to take the cup from Akechi. Kurama breathes in the smell of the coffee for a moment before taking a sip.]

That really is excellent coffee.

[foolishjustice]

[The coffee is slightly sweetened to offset the bitterness, but not so much that it covers up the taste of the coffee itself.]

It is, on both counts. I never really cared particularly much about the taste of my coffee until Sae-san told me about Leblanc, but now I have a difficult time imagining myself drinking anything else given the option.

[byanyother_name]

Ruined for all others, hmm? That says interesting things about your relationship with coffee, Akechi-san.

[He sounds rather amused and a little teasing but he's also still sipping at the coffee.]

[foolishjustice]

I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. I've simply developed very high standards due to having gotten used to high quality blends.

[byanyother_name]

Ah. So what you mean to say is that you're a coffee snob.

[That expression half-hiding behind the cup is getting dangerously close to a grin.]

[foolishjustice]

Is there anything wrong with appreciating a well made cup of coffee?

[byanyother_name]

Of course not, Akechi-san. I would never insinuate such a thing. We all have our little joys in life, don't we?

[One of his just happens to be teasing.]

[foolishjustice]

And I do have to find my enjoyment somewhere. Most of the time, I eat wherever is recommended to me, since restaurants make for a good conversational topic.

[byanyother_name]

That sounds a bit risky, I have to admit. One person's delicious meal can very easily be someone else's unfortunate regret, after all.

[Like spicy takoyaki.]