It didn't specify a method. I would assume we need to attempt individually, though the room is large enough we could both occupy the space to save time.
[It said no stimuli. Eren isn't stimulating. Akechi can stare into a void like no one's business. The bathroom has a large mirror and would fit two people find.
Whatever - to the Machiya bathroom they go. Thanks richruki.]
I have my doubts this works with the degree of simplicity implied in the book.
Me too. We'll have to be dead quiet. [No stimuli. Akechi is the most stimulating thing on the planet, but Eren will be focused on keeping his reflection in the mirror.
[He flicks the lights off and closes the door, then turns to face himself. At first, it's too dark to see anything at all.]
[Don't forget the light crack under the door. Akechi Goro hasn't.
He moves behind Eren to tuck a towel into the space with his foot. Pitch black, save for his phone flashlight for one second and an illuminated screen with a 0:00:00 the next.
They'll lose a few seconds doing this check but whatever. Screen face down. Timer on. Lights off. Eren? Sure there.
Lasts only a second. A single moment. The dignitary leaves their home with all the fanfare of someone with inflated importance. Akechi does very little when that happens. Only stays out of the way - trusts that Maruki will do the same.
They aren't here to converse or speak to them. He catches their eyes, offers a polite smile and mimics any mannerisms the lowest among this elite's company seems to do. They are nothing after all. Tools. Weapons. Temporary guardians. There's no explosive standoff. No overzealous flattery.
The reality of infiltrating such a world is -
It's boring. Requires patience, a crushed ego and feigned admiration of those in power to earn a place as a sycophant.
Akechi trusts Maruki is doing as he said. Waits until the carriage is loaded with whatever powerful entourage follows their charge - continues that silence until they begin to move, and-]
It's interesting. They truly are impressive. [He hates them. They're disgusting. It's about flattery in secret, though Akechi knows they can hear just fine if they're tuning in. He murmurs all the same.] We were fortunate to get this job - let's be sure to not let them down.
As long as your little beast doesn't break anything we'll have to replace, then fine.
[Ew. Five Treats indeed. Akechi can't deny the efficiency of it all.]
We may be able to leverage this. While only this area requested our help, we could offer free services to the surrounding ones. It could earn quite a bit of favor in our direction.
Ah, thinking ahead, huh? It's not a bad idea to get in cosy with a few of the regular citizens around here. They're far more likely to be of more help than anyone who has to deal with rules and regulations.
[He'd never have thought of it on his own, honestly. The more they can curry favour for other things in the future, most likely.
Also being an errand boy is kind of fun again. Seems normal.]
[Stop talking. Eren faces the mirror. It's a long ten seconds or so before he can actually see the vaguest details of his own face. It doesn't look right in the dark, but he's seen it before - muttered to himself until he was shouting instead, gripping the edges of a metal sink.
[His reflection doesn't change. Eren is too aware of Akechi, breathing quietly beside him. He does his best not to glance over, but the other man's reflection is facing him too. He finds himself trained on Akechi's eyes.]
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