I threw it at him, when he came out growling from the bushes. I thought him to be a hungry animal smelling food.
[Why on earth calling a dog a dog is extreme is beyond him - but it's about impressions. Pretend and play nice. Aubrey has been a good ally to have, unlike another he aligned with. These two are friends and they'll pretend to care about one another until a real issue arises.]
I'll admit it was petty on my part to stoop to that. It's not like me.
However, I don't regret saying it. If words are the only consequence he faces to acting that way, then he got off easy. Who knows what someone else may have done.
[It’s starting to dawn on Aubrey that being approached like this about her not-friends, before recent events, would’ve pissed her off to hell and back. Akechi’s being patient, considering.]
That’s true. I don’t know, I’m sure he recognized you - doesn’t make it better, but I think he’s smart enough not to go after a stranger like that.
[Which doesn’t make it better, either, exactly.]
I’m glad you called me, in any case. Although if it was an actual wolf, I would’ve just suggested... exactly what you did, honestly. Maybe less? Good thinking there.
[It's worse that he did. There was intent in his actions - it's a memory Akechi won't forget or let go of.]
It's irrelevant who he recognizes. It's who would recognize him inside of a gigantic growling wolf. It's reckless and dangerous to act that way.
But I appreciate your words. I couldn't think of who else to call for advice. It's fortunate you were able to recognize him so quickly, or I could have been up there for some time.
[Well, he's about to request his gun and have an onset of short term memory loss if Eren does that again. That's a defense.]
Hopefully he's learned a lesson. [(x) to doubt.]
I have some self-defense training thanks to my position. It's not something I would put faith in when faced with a true threat though. Conflict like that is something I try to avoid.
[Moving on.] It’s a start. But you’re right, there’s worse out here. There was a mirror world with actual monsters in February, and I’ve been told Somnius goes crazy somehow every other month.
[…]
I’m learning to swordfight. I’d invite you to train with me, but Eren’s the teacher....
But if you can find a teacher for some kind of weapon, that’d be best, I think. Weapon or magic.
It shouldn't matter to her if he's stuck on a roof, dead in a gutter or bleeding in maws of some forest creature. A part of him knows it's that human need to portray altruism and care, but-
He ignores it.]
That's a wise assessment. I'll be certain to look for assistance on that front and better arm myself for the problems to come. I would hate to be a burden on anyone.
I'm glad Eren is teaching you. For all our squabbles, I don't deny he must have skill. You're doing well to learn from him.
[That's what a previous Sleepr implied. A comment that makes him want to chew off his own fingers the second he hits send - giving him any kind of credit is enough to ruin his mood.
But it's about being the bigger person. Mature. Considerate and kind. ]
[If he had the capacity to feel guilt anymore, he might in this moment - when concern feels genuine even in a text message. When he knows damn well there's a power locked away, out of reach, but there.
It doesn't matter. This is all stupid bullshit anyway. The offers are meaningless and meant to placate. Nothing about this place will matter when his fingers are wrapped around Shido's throat. ]
Thank you.
That's generous of you to offer. I'll certainly do my best to make sure it doesn't get to that point, but to know I can rely on you is a comforting thought.
[A pause. This might be a touch too revealing, but… hell with it. He saw her Sleepr.]
I know I felt pretty alone when I first got dropped here. But a lot of people here are willing to help out, and... sometimes you might not have a choice.
[Let them in with barbs whispered over worn tables in a quiet cafe and-
Let them in with secrets exchanged in moments of rare clarity. In truths loosened from his throat in late night phone conversations. In laughter that burst through his whole body, to the point tears blurred the corners of his vision. Let them in for normalcy lost the second he shook his hand, watched a body dissipate under his heel, felt cool porcelain against his forehead because nothing would stay down, the dripping red, red, red from the face of someone he let in and-
A spot on the wall starts to turn into more - colorful and blinding. Unblinking eyes burning at the lack of movement after reading that seemingly sincere comment.
She is going to get hurt someday - brutally and-
Akechi doesn't give a shit about it. Not one. Not for a second. It won't matter because he won't be here. She's someone to exploit and use in the interim. That's it. Why would he care about the feelings of skittering ants.]
You're right. I'm used to working alone and I don't have many friends. It doesn't come naturally to me.
[It’s hard to tell over text, but that sounds like a dismissal; “I won’t forget it,” the end, no need to say more.
[Aubrey gets it. She hopes he’s actually taking what she says to heart. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’s not.
[Not having many friends does that to a person.]
Yeah. No problem. [I’m not in any position to give advice about anything. But it came out that way, didn’t it? Maybe a natural follow-up would be the offer of a listening ear. Maybe that’s pushing it.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[Why on earth calling a dog a dog is extreme is beyond him - but it's about impressions. Pretend and play nice. Aubrey has been a good ally to have, unlike another he aligned with. These two are friends and they'll pretend to care about one another until a real issue arises.]
I'll admit it was petty on my part to stoop to that. It's not like me.
However, I don't regret saying it. If words are the only consequence he faces to acting that way, then he got off easy. Who knows what someone else may have done.
no subject
[It’s starting to dawn on Aubrey that being approached like this about her not-friends, before recent events, would’ve pissed her off to hell and back. Akechi’s being patient, considering.]
That’s true. I don’t know, I’m sure he recognized you - doesn’t make it better, but I think he’s smart enough not to go after a stranger like that.
[Which doesn’t make it better, either, exactly.]
I’m glad you called me, in any case. Although if it was an actual wolf, I would’ve just suggested... exactly what you did, honestly. Maybe less? Good thinking there.
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It's irrelevant who he recognizes. It's who would recognize him inside of a gigantic growling wolf. It's reckless and dangerous to act that way.
But I appreciate your words. I couldn't think of who else to call for advice. It's fortunate you were able to recognize him so quickly, or I could have been up there for some time.
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[She wants to say “he wouldn’t have hurt you.”
[Wants to.]
It is reckless. Eren can take care of himself, but I’m not happy about it, either. I’d hope he wouldn’t have kept you up there all day.
[And that’s the best she’s got.]
You really have no way to defend yourself out here, huh?
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Hopefully he's learned a lesson. [(x) to doubt.]
I have some self-defense training thanks to my position. It's not something I would put faith in when faced with a true threat though. Conflict like that is something I try to avoid.
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[Her faith in that “lesson” isn’t high, either.]
[Moving on.] It’s a start. But you’re right, there’s worse out here. There was a mirror world with actual monsters in February, and I’ve been told Somnius goes crazy somehow every other month.
[…]
I’m learning to swordfight. I’d invite you to train with me, but Eren’s the teacher....
But if you can find a teacher for some kind of weapon, that’d be best, I think. Weapon or magic.
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It shouldn't matter to her if he's stuck on a roof, dead in a gutter or bleeding in maws of some forest creature. A part of him knows it's that human need to portray altruism and care, but-
He ignores it.]
That's a wise assessment. I'll be certain to look for assistance on that front and better arm myself for the problems to come. I would hate to be a burden on anyone.
I'm glad Eren is teaching you. For all our squabbles, I don't deny he must have skill. You're doing well to learn from him.
[That's what a previous Sleepr implied. A comment that makes him want to chew off his own fingers the second he hits send - giving him any kind of credit is enough to ruin his mood.
But it's about being the bigger person. Mature. Considerate and kind. ]
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“Burden”?
[Ah. That’s a familiar sentiment.]
Not everyone comes here with magic and war in their home worlds. But I get it.
Call me if danger comes around again. [Unintended pun!] I can’t promise I can be there, but we’ll figure something out.
[Congrats, Akechi: you may be shady, and Aubrey’s sword is sworn elsewhere, but the desire to see to your safety just skyrocketed.]
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It doesn't matter. This is all stupid bullshit anyway. The offers are meaningless and meant to placate. Nothing about this place will matter when his fingers are wrapped around Shido's throat. ]
Thank you.
That's generous of you to offer. I'll certainly do my best to make sure it doesn't get to that point, but to know I can rely on you is a comforting thought.
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Good.
[A pause. This might be a touch too revealing, but… hell with it. He saw her Sleepr.]
I know I felt pretty alone when I first got dropped here. But a lot of people here are willing to help out, and... sometimes you might not have a choice.
But it pays off, I think. To let them in.
cw: akechi thoughts, emeto mention, murder
Let them in with secrets exchanged in moments of rare clarity. In truths loosened from his throat in late night phone conversations. In laughter that burst through his whole body, to the point tears blurred the corners of his vision. Let them in for normalcy lost the second he shook his hand, watched a body dissipate under his heel, felt cool porcelain against his forehead because nothing would stay down, the dripping red, red, red from the face of someone he let in and-
A spot on the wall starts to turn into more - colorful and blinding. Unblinking eyes burning at the lack of movement after reading that seemingly sincere comment.
She is going to get hurt someday - brutally and-
Akechi doesn't give a shit about it. Not one. Not for a second. It won't matter because he won't be here. She's someone to exploit and use in the interim. That's it. Why would he care about the feelings of skittering ants.]
You're right. I'm used to working alone and I don't have many friends. It doesn't come naturally to me.
Your advice is appreciated. I won't forget it.
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[It’s hard to tell over text, but that sounds like a dismissal; “I won’t forget it,” the end, no need to say more.
[Aubrey gets it. She hopes he’s actually taking what she says to heart. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’s not.
[Not having many friends does that to a person.]
Yeah. No problem. [I’m not in any position to give advice about anything. But it came out that way, didn’t it? Maybe a natural follow-up would be the offer of a listening ear. Maybe that’s pushing it.]
Take care out there, Akechi.
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I'm sure we'll talk again soon. Under better circumstances, or so I hope.