The Fifteen Strangers Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
strangerpeople) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
15strangers2017-12-02 11:56 am
strangerpeople) wrote in 15strangers2017-12-02 11:56 am
Entry tags:
THE FIRST TRIAL
[Almost as soon as the investigation is over, a loud DING echoes through the mall.
The elevator doors in the food court, before completely inaccessible, have now opened for the Titled. It will not close until every last Titled has gotten in. Nor will everyone have to wait long for potential stragglers; a thought comes to everyone's mind, a realization that they need to get into the elevator. They need to go.
They need to find out who did this.
The elevator is a small freight elevator inside, and its just big enough to fit everyone in it. After a short ride, the elevator opens...
And they are on the roof. Despite it clearly not being that late in the day, the roof seems to be surrounded by an air of cool, perpetual sunset. Beyond that, good luck making out what's beyond the roof - there seems to be a city, but it's utterly unidentifiable. Not that anyone can jump off the roof to try and get closer - there is a translucent barrier surrounding the roof that is utterly impenetrable.
The main attraction of the roof, however, is not the fuzzy landscape beyond. It's the large, stepped circular platform which is a mere ten paces from the elevator. On this platform are 15 podiums, surrounding a large, empty, circular floor. Instantly every phone pings, giving everyone their platform assignment based on their bedroom number. And - upon arriving at their designated podium - they will find a dock for their phone to slide into. As soon as they do so the XAMINE app will pop up, revealing everyone's findings regarding the murder.
Not Wake, though. His podium is lower, and bare save for a white cloth.
Still, everyone - including Ren, who will find that whoever arranged this whole deal has given him a chair to sit in - will need their strength. Which is why each Stranger also has a bento box lunch, carefully prepared, waiting for them at their podium. Each meal is tailored to every Stranger's specific tastes and allergies, as best as a bent box meal can be. It even comes with a cup of their favorite drink.
So, take a few bites, take a few breaths, and get ready, Titled.
no subject
The hand in the detective's hand actually trembles for a split second, and then he tugs the hand closer resting it in his lap, interlocking their fingers for a moment. After glancing around to ensure they're still alone, he slowly lowers his head down to rest his forehead on Goro's shoulder. ]
... I know it's best not to. [ His voice then raises for just a moment. ] But neither of them deserved to die!
[ A quiet sound slips from his throat. ]
... All I've ever wanted to do was save people, yet--... [ He's gritting his teeth, a hint of bitterness entering his voice. ] ...
[ He doesn't finish that sentence. Instead, he forces a slow, even exhale. Damn it... pull it together... He needs to pull it together!!! He slowly lifts his hand, loosening his grip on Goro's hand -- he hadn't realized he tightened it to an almost bruising level. If the detective needs to pull his hand away, he'll be able to without resistance. ]
I'm sorry... [ He stares at the floor now. ] ...which part do you mean?
no subject
Don't blame yourself for what others chose to do.
[After another moment of hesitation, and another glance around to make sure nobody can see them, he presses a light kiss to the top of Akira's head.]
People will need something to distract them. I was thinking of arranging something in the cat cafe, so that people can find food and comfort instead of letting themselves drown in their thoughts.
no subject
[ There's a very slight jerking of his form. It's not a yell, more than it is just a whisper that's on the louder side of the scale. But his body doesn't tense; the brush through his hair is working, apparently, since his voice softens almost immediately.
The mention of finding a distraction for the others, his body slowly relaxes entirely. His expression softens... and then he nods. ]
... I'll help. Same as last time?
[ The same job, he means. ]
no subject
[He shifts, and now he does pull his hand free of Akira's grip, only so he can pull him into a full hug.]
I hope that's not asking too much of you?
no subject
For that moment, he's quiet... as though he needs a moment to regain the composure he's been clinging to desperately. ]
Not at all. [ He shakes his head. ] I'll get the stuff to make curry.
no subject
I think I'll ask Ursula-san, too. She seemed to find helping calming, the last time I arranged a gathering.
no subject
There's still something distant to him and a little cold at first, but he consciously softens and warms his expression back to something approaching Shuuichi's gentleness. It helps that they are very cutely cuddling.
Kurama is neither subtle nor ashamed of lifting his phone and snapping a picture before he sits down across from them.]
Just as adorable together as apart, I see. ...How are you two managing?
no subject
[ His eyes actually widen a little, and he quickly turns his head to actually stare of a moment, because... ??
Did he just take a picture???
Granted, his expression quickly works itself into something calm -- possibly... relieved? Seeing Minamino-san appearing calm again is kind of comforting, even if there are approximately fifty questions he wants to ask...
... Later. Much later. For now, he's slowly pulling out of the hug, even if he isn't going to be moving all that far away from Goro. ]
Ah... [ His gaze lowers a bit. In spite of his expression being calm and composed, his eyes are holding something... possibly a bit haunted. So he's very pointedly avoiding looking directly at the redhead. ]
I'm all right. Just tired...
[ If he could just manage to have his voice being convincing? That'd be a properly effective lie. ]
You? [ Then, without much of a pause: ] You seemed pretty upset...
no subject
If you consider offering needed comfort after an incredibly stressful situation to be adorable, I suppose.
[HUFF. Not that it lasts long before he runs out of energy to be huffy and his shoulders sag tiredly.]
I'm somewhat worn out from what just happened, but I should be well enough after some rest.
no subject
Well, it's sweet of you at the absolute least, Akechi-san.
...I think we're all tired. It's never easy to be faced with a decision where lives are on the line. And... I, too, should be fine after a bit of rest, Kurusu-san. I'm afraid I just lost my temper.
no subject
The quietest of chuckles escapes before his expression returns to an entirely serious one. He nods. ]
Mm... that feels like an understatement, Minamino-san.
[ The look he's giving Kurama easily implies he's not fully convinced, here. Never mind how he lost his own temper. Never mind how he practically collapsed after the trial. Never mind how he'd been clinging onto Goro just a little...
... Still, though. Losing your temper is one thing. Wearing the kind of look Kurama had been wearing... is another thing entirely. It was as though he'd turned into a different person.
... but Akira doesn't push. In fact, he nods. ]
But, I do agree we need the rest.
no subject
That's why I was thinking of gathering people at the cat cafe. It seems like it would be a good place to encourage people to relax.
no subject
Kurama just tilts his head slightly with a subtle shrug to both Akira's look and Akechi's eyebrow, though. The terrible thing is that for once, he's not spinning things. He genuinely considers what happened in the trial to be losing his temper. Granted, it came along with some mask slippage.
...This may be why all his friends back home are at least a little scared of him.]
There are very valid reasons I try extremely hard not to lose my temper.
It does seem like a majority of us find ourselves in the cat cafe for those purposes all on our own. It's a good idea. [His small smile is gently teasing and a little bit genuinely fond.] Though you seem to be managing to help each other settle down well enough right here.
no subject
Guess that's understandable... [ One corner of his lips lifts, wryly. ] Even the seemingly calmest person can have a side of them they're afraid of showing off...
[ Nnnnnnnot talking about himself at all...
He gives Goro a small smile at the mention of the cat cafe. It might be tired, but it's still there. But then... that teasing has him blinking softly, glancing over to Kurama. ]
... Not sure how much helping I did, but Goro definitely did calm me down.
[ ... Well, there's no hiding how much he'd needed the comfort. But, now there's some kind of strange guilt. Losing himself for that moment means he'd been pretty much entirely on the receiving end, right? But he's normally the one... doing the comforting... ]
no subject
[He pats Akira on the shoulder, then glances at Kurama.]
Speaking of which, I am sorry you had to see me like that. I normally don't make a habit of needing others to help me control myself.
no subject
There's no need to apologize, Akechi-san. I can promise you I've seen far worse. My closest friend has a penchant for threatening my life or my vocal cords on a regular basis. If anything, it's a bit nice to have a chance to see you less picture-perfect.
[His hand lifts to cover his mouth. It's hard to tell if it's covering a smile, a smirk, a frown, or what, but it doesn't muffle his next, thoughtfully spoken words.] I do tend to find myself drawn more to men with dark sides, anyway.
no subject
His shoulder gently bumps against Goro's as he quietly adds. ]
...???
[ The look he's giving Kurama at the mention of the death threats has genuine concern washing over his face. ]
... Ah.
[ Yep, that's all he's saying in response. Even to the latter part, he's simply... raising his eyebrows for just a moment.
Though... honestly?
He's not even a little surprised. If anything, his expression is softening into something with a hint of amusement. ]
Can't say I don't enjoy a person with some fight in them...
[ Just going to casually glance to the side now. He still looks weary... definitely still upset... but this conversation is a nice reprieve. ]
no subject
I wouldn't particularly say I have a dark side. But I can get rather aggressive when something important to me is insulted.
no subject
He...is not completely sure he believes Akechi. But this is not the time to poke at anyone's facades. His own is far too delicate at the moment.
So he smiles instead, Shuuichi's friendly, inviting smile.]
I don't think there's anything wrong with being passionate about the things that matter to you, Akechi-san.
Wouldn't you agree, Kurusu-san? [Was that an insinuation? Maaaaaybe.]
no subject
Now that I think about it, one of the people I had a crush on back home had a habit of stripping me down and practically forcing strange stuff down my throat. [ a beat ] She's even made jokes about writing my death certificate.
[ IS HE MAKING THIS SOUND WORSE ON PURPOSE...?
... yes.
At least he clarifies after a short pause. ]
Guess I like doctors with a dark sense of humor.
[ Glancing at Goro for just a split second, and then letting his gaze rest on the redhead. ]
I do. [ He holds a blink in thought for a second. ] I know if someone close to me is threatened, there's really not much I wouldn't do to protect them.
no subject
And here I've heard people questioning my sense of self-preservation for enjoying working with a woman known for making you feel as though she might rip your arm off if you try to argue with her.
no subject
There's still a touch of stress and strain to him, mostly visible around the eyes, but Kurama's mouth is curled into a soft, almost relaxed smile.
It's nice to let go of a little bit of the pressure of his facade. Just a little bit, just for now, with these two.]
Well, for some of us, it happens to be called a 'crush' for very good reason.
[That is to say, because the person in question might crush them.]
no subject
And that, combined with that horrible pun, results in a quiet snort. His shoulders are shaking just a little in a silent laugh. It does nothing for the tiredness and the guilt... but there's a split second of him actually looking just the tiniest bit okay. ]
Guess that's why I get along with you both...
[ His head is leaning back against the wall, his eyes closing for the moment. ]
How's... everyone else doing?