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My mouth thanks you profusely. You can experiment any other day, I promise.
But that would be wonderful. In that case, I'll be waiting outside.
[Which he does indeed do, reading a book in the meantime since unsurprisingly he was ready to go at that moment.]
But that would be wonderful. In that case, I'll be waiting outside.
[Which he does indeed do, reading a book in the meantime since unsurprisingly he was ready to go at that moment.]
[ He doesn't bother sending a confirmation, already moving to get ready to leave the house, and it indeed only takes a few minutes for Akira to join Akechi outside (the benefits of being next door neighbors). Despite having to adapt to the clothes of their new world, he still has the schoolbag tucked over his shoulder, a habitual piece of home he refuses to part with. ]
What are you reading?
[ It comes in lieu of an actual greeting. When Akira peers over at the book, it may be obvious that his ears have grown slightly longer, the fur a bit thicker. ]
What are you reading?
[ It comes in lieu of an actual greeting. When Akira peers over at the book, it may be obvious that his ears have grown slightly longer, the fur a bit thicker. ]
[Akechi glances up with a smile, quickly taking in those details. He wishes he had at least his clothes from home. Oh well.]
A pulp novel I picked up about some rich family and their inheritance drama. It's completely over-the-top and ridiculous.
[He sounds cheerful about that, so it doesn't seem to think it's a mark against it.]
A pulp novel I picked up about some rich family and their inheritance drama. It's completely over-the-top and ridiculous.
[He sounds cheerful about that, so it doesn't seem to think it's a mark against it.]
Sounds entertaining. [ Kind of like a daytime drama or something. There aren't exactly any TV shows or movies around here, though, and Akira misses reading, so: ] Lend it to me once you're done with it?
[ He starts moving as he speaks, stepping onto the street and making to exit the Haven. ]
[ He starts moving as he speaks, stepping onto the street and making to exit the Haven. ]
[So Akira too is a man of culture. It occurs to him he doesn't know what his tastes are, so he should find that out. Akechi closes the book and tucks it into a small, simple bag he carries with him as they walk.]
Of course. If you like those kinds, I've been buying them when I can. I need something to read and frankly they really are entertaining. I enjoy melodrama. It's kind of fun to watch fictional lives becoming increasingly complicated.
Of course. If you like those kinds, I've been buying them when I can. I need something to read and frankly they really are entertaining. I enjoy melodrama. It's kind of fun to watch fictional lives becoming increasingly complicated.
[ It feels like so much has happened since everyone arrived—and even more in the days since they moved from the Coven to the house. Lux is still getting used to sharing space with others, learning everyone's routines and figuring out how to live together peacefully. So when Akira is strangely absent the day of the full moons, at first she questions if that's simply something that he does. Was he the type to disappear like that? It isn't any of her business if he is—but considering the timing and what she observes in the city that day, she can't help but grow concerned. Was there a correlation?
Inevitably, that's what brings her to his door, juggling a tray with tea for two and a small plate of sweets in both hands. She might not be very good at this whole roommate business just yet, but that doesn't mean she won't try. He can tell her she's a pest, but she at least wants to know that he's all right. Although she should have probably set this down before knocking but she's committed now, which might explain the shuffling sounds outside his door. The sound of clinking porcelain cups, quiet nonsensical mumbling, readjusting—
And a knock! Success! ]
Akira? [ She pauses. Yes, she's still holding this tray, and debating if she wants to try knocking again. ]
Are you there?
Inevitably, that's what brings her to his door, juggling a tray with tea for two and a small plate of sweets in both hands. She might not be very good at this whole roommate business just yet, but that doesn't mean she won't try. He can tell her she's a pest, but she at least wants to know that he's all right. Although she should have probably set this down before knocking but she's committed now, which might explain the shuffling sounds outside his door. The sound of clinking porcelain cups, quiet nonsensical mumbling, readjusting—
And a knock! Success! ]
Akira? [ She pauses. Yes, she's still holding this tray, and debating if she wants to try knocking again. ]
Are you there?
[ It's less that he's a man of culture and a lot more that he'll read whatever's put in front of him. Books, magazines, the preparation instructions on food packages—Akira really isn't picky. Then again, he isn't when it comes to most things. ]
As opposed to ours, right? [ Because his really has gone off the rails this past month. It would be kind of comforting to read about some fictional drama. ] What kinds of things are happening in it?
As opposed to ours, right? [ Because his really has gone off the rails this past month. It would be kind of comforting to read about some fictional drama. ] What kinds of things are happening in it?
[A brief grin flashes over his face. There is a bastard child in this, so maybe it isn't that different, but he doesn't comment on that aspect.]
Right now, the youngest sister is trying to position her son to be heir of the fortune but doesn't know he is planning to marry a young servant girl and disown the family. Meanwhile, the eldest son is in some shady black market deals involving magical item peddling and has gotten into trouble by encroaching on another family's business. A servant is also planning to blackmail the head of the family with another servant, who she doesn't know is her brother. I'm not sure why that part is being hidden yet.
Right now, the youngest sister is trying to position her son to be heir of the fortune but doesn't know he is planning to marry a young servant girl and disown the family. Meanwhile, the eldest son is in some shady black market deals involving magical item peddling and has gotten into trouble by encroaching on another family's business. A servant is also planning to blackmail the head of the family with another servant, who she doesn't know is her brother. I'm not sure why that part is being hidden yet.
Edited 2019-05-30 05:39 (UTC)
[ Back during their weeks at the Coven, Akira was little more than another face—nobody really noticed when he came or went, and if he'd disappeared for a while, he doubts anyone would've come looking for him. But here, in their not-so-little house of three, it's much more obvious when he fails to make an appearance for almost an entire day.
The knock jolts him out of sleep and into confusion as he takes in his state: sprawled across his bed, journal open beside him and pen... underneath, apparently, Akira notes when he shifts and feels it poke into his side.
That's right. After Akechi left, he felt well enough to come up to his bedroom, where he finally succumbed to the pull of sleep at some point. There's a pause as he recalls everything about the night before, and his hand suddenly flies up to his head—
The weird, elongated ears are still there. Looks like it wasn't just for the night of the full moon or (if only) a bizarre dream.
Akira breathes out a sigh and scrubs his hand down his face before speaking up, voice still somewhat groggy. ]
Come in.
The knock jolts him out of sleep and into confusion as he takes in his state: sprawled across his bed, journal open beside him and pen... underneath, apparently, Akira notes when he shifts and feels it poke into his side.
That's right. After Akechi left, he felt well enough to come up to his bedroom, where he finally succumbed to the pull of sleep at some point. There's a pause as he recalls everything about the night before, and his hand suddenly flies up to his head—
The weird, elongated ears are still there. Looks like it wasn't just for the night of the full moon or (if only) a bizarre dream.
Akira breathes out a sigh and scrubs his hand down his face before speaking up, voice still somewhat groggy. ]
Come in.
[ It's every bit as convoluted as Akechi said, which brings a half-smile to his face. Luckily he's not the type to care about having a story spoiled for him beforehand, although it sounds like this one probably has many more twists and turns than the ones spoken of so far. ]
It sounds like none of them are going to end up getting it in the end.
It sounds like none of them are going to end up getting it in the end.
[ ...Did she wake him up? Far be it from her to question someone else's sleep habits (she's the last person who has any right to do that), but it seems a bit off. Maybe Lux was right to be worried about him after all—although she won't know for certain until she goes inside. That might be difficult considering her hands are full. But it's fine.
On his side, all Akira will hear is her shuffling around, a failed attempt at turning the doorknob, and more shuffling before the door finally opens. Lux sticks her heel in, her back turned as she crouches to pick up her tray. How the maids managed to do this gracefully back home is entirely beyond her, but she's committed now; standing up and pushing the door open with her hip, her back still turned to him. ]
I was making myself tea and thought you might like some.
[ It's technically not a lie, but it's not the whole truth either. Lux speaks as she turns toward him, a pleasant smile spread across her lips. ]
I wasn't sure what you like, so—oh.
[ That note of surprise tumbles out before she can catch it, as she catches the change in appearance almost immediately. It's slight, but the shift in eye color is enough to throw her off. Standing there with tray in both hands, Lux blinks almost owlishly at him as she does her best not to stare. That's... Different. ]
On his side, all Akira will hear is her shuffling around, a failed attempt at turning the doorknob, and more shuffling before the door finally opens. Lux sticks her heel in, her back turned as she crouches to pick up her tray. How the maids managed to do this gracefully back home is entirely beyond her, but she's committed now; standing up and pushing the door open with her hip, her back still turned to him. ]
I was making myself tea and thought you might like some.
[ It's technically not a lie, but it's not the whole truth either. Lux speaks as she turns toward him, a pleasant smile spread across her lips. ]
I wasn't sure what you like, so—oh.
[ That note of surprise tumbles out before she can catch it, as she catches the change in appearance almost immediately. It's slight, but the shift in eye color is enough to throw her off. Standing there with tray in both hands, Lux blinks almost owlishly at him as she does her best not to stare. That's... Different. ]
[ Akira pauses. He can almost hear the tone of Sojiro's voice at the thought of revealing the secrets of Leblanc's curry, but they're about as far from home as they can get.
He lists off the obvious things, like vegetables and spices, but then there are the less common ones. ]
Apples, honey, red wine... [ Those, he thinks they can find without much trouble. ] And chocolate, yogurt, and steak sauce. But I'm not sure some of those even exist here.
He lists off the obvious things, like vegetables and spices, but then there are the less common ones. ]
Apples, honey, red wine... [ Those, he thinks they can find without much trouble. ] And chocolate, yogurt, and steak sauce. But I'm not sure some of those even exist here.
Wine, apples and honey should be just fine. Chocolate they definitely have. [Says the boy with a sweet-tooth.] Steak sauce, though? Huh. I don't know. I haven't looked for it but you know, it's a fairly simple sauce. Yogurt is also simple if needed...
[He gives a pleased hum.] This is such an interesting recipe. No wonder it has a distinct flavour profile.
[He gives a pleased hum.] This is such an interesting recipe. No wonder it has a distinct flavour profile.
[ Her entrance is almost comedic in how much effort it takes, a hint of a smile unconsciously surfacing as Akira rubs the sleep out of an eye. He's about to offer Lux a hand when she manages to make it through the door without spilling her tray, and suddenly all of her attention is on him. Rightly so. Akira is well aware of how noticeably his appearance has changed in the last twenty-four hours. ]
I had an interesting night.
[ The humor in his brief explanation is, admittedly, somewhat forced, an attempt to dispel Lux's apparent shock. Her stare drives home how real it is—not unlike those whispers he heard when he first arrived at Shujin.
Akira sits up fully, moving the pen to rest on top of his journal, eyes following the movement of his hand. ] ... Thank you for the tea.
I had an interesting night.
[ The humor in his brief explanation is, admittedly, somewhat forced, an attempt to dispel Lux's apparent shock. Her stare drives home how real it is—not unlike those whispers he heard when he first arrived at Shujin.
Akira sits up fully, moving the pen to rest on top of his journal, eyes following the movement of his hand. ] ... Thank you for the tea.
[Akechi smiles at him. There isn't much harm in explaining his process here at least.]
I don't cook, so it isn't like that. What do adults like to talk about? You can't subsist off weather alone. But they love food. I mean, everyone likes food but an interest in food, in the history of it, in the composition of it—knowledge of the culture of food marks you as more 'mature', right? Thus adults will hold real conversations with you.
I don't cook, so it isn't like that. What do adults like to talk about? You can't subsist off weather alone. But they love food. I mean, everyone likes food but an interest in food, in the history of it, in the composition of it—knowledge of the culture of food marks you as more 'mature', right? Thus adults will hold real conversations with you.
[ Lux doesn't know him well, but she has enough sense to realize what's going on here. It's more measured in comparison, but his reaction isn't too dissimilar from what she would do. Make a joke to diffuse the tension. Draw attention to how weird your own behavior is.
It helps, but probably not how he intends it. Silently, she takes a small step back—not to retreat, but to gently push the door closed behind her. ]
Of course. Tea is much better if you can share it, don't you think?
[ Slowly making her way toward him, Lux tilts her head slightly, a small, worried frown on her face. ]
How do you feel?
It helps, but probably not how he intends it. Silently, she takes a small step back—not to retreat, but to gently push the door closed behind her. ]
Of course. Tea is much better if you can share it, don't you think?
[ Slowly making her way toward him, Lux tilts her head slightly, a small, worried frown on her face. ]
How do you feel?
[ Akechi's explanation makes his mouth press a bit tighter with... something. Sadness isn't the feeling, but it's close to that, hearing the implication that he built the interest with the goal of being acknowledged as an adult.
It does make him curious, though. ]
Is that why you came to Leblanc the first time?
It does make him curious, though. ]
Is that why you came to Leblanc the first time?
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