[He won't. In fact, he's there earlier than strictly necessary. A good 20 minutes at that, because he wants to do this right. It's important, more so since Maruki had said that Akechi wasn't used to kindness, and that puts more pressure on him to make an apology the correct way.
After all, it wasn't Akechi's fault. Akechi hadn't started the fight, hadn't deserved what Kazuya had done to him.
So he'll wait for Akechi to show up, as early as he is, the others cleaned knife tucked away nicely and wrapped in just as clean cloth.]
[Akechi arrives a bit early too - Kazuya already present. A pleasant surprise, not that he thought this guy would flounce.
Even if he did, Akechi was prepared to have a nice evening here.
The music is low and quiet. Dolph an ever calming presence in the background of the establishment.
He strides to Kazuya's side. Points out a table in a low-lit corner, away from others and adjacent to a pair of speakers playing a consistent, placating tune.]
I hope you weren't waiting long. If you don't mind, I would prefer we relax somewhere private, though if you would rather sit at the bar, I'm not opposed.
[Jazz isn't really his thing, though it's also not not his thing either, and he can take enjoyment from it just as much. Case in point, the moment the enter the establishment, Kazuya moves his headphones from on his head to around his neck.]
I wasn't waiting too long, don't worry.
[He doubts Akechi was.]
And somewhere private I think is best. Besides, I don't drink.
[He's not sure whether or not that'll come as a surprise, given not only his nature, but also the fact that they're no longer in Japan, and the legal drinking age doesn't apply here anyway.
The moment they sit though, Kazuya will grab the knife from his pocket, still wrapped in a soft cloth, and slide it across the table towards Akechi.
He ducks his head politely as he apologizes at the same time.]
I'd like to apologize for what I did to you. I lost control, and I shouldn't have let it happen.
[An apology is the last thing he expected to come out of Kazuya's mouth and while the neutral expression on his face doesn't waver in the slightest, his eyes do brighten-
At the sight of his knife returned. Kazuya bows. Neither one of them indulge in alcohol, but Akechi wants one of the colorful, virgin drinks the acting bartender will make. He orders two when an attendant walks by.
He checks the state of the weapon - it's fine. Lets it sit on the table where it was placed and crosses one leg over the other, folds both hands against the knife on the tabletop. Neat. Proper.]
Frankly, I don't need an apology. There's no requirement to coddle me - I don't regret our fight or how it turned out. You provoked, but I continued it. It was a mutual affair.
[Pissed? He was. Yeah. He won't ever get over how tilted it made him to be afflicted with a series of ailments, but that's power. He can respect it.]
If I may give you some advice - a King shouldn't apologize. It makes you look weak.
[ Maruki warned him how this would go, and it's good to have that insight here and now, as Akechi outright refuses his apology, turns it around by saying that he further provoked.
It's not a lie, but the fact remains: Kazuya struck first.
Still, he didn't think the dismissal of his apology would be that he doesn't want to be coddled... ]
Truthfully, I'm apologizing for two reasons, one is that I am genuinely sorry it got so out of hand, and two, because it pisses off the other Bel demons to admit it. For exactly the reason you stated.
[ Oh, how it makes them particularly cantankerous.
Kazuya leans back in his chair a little, relaxing despite the admission. ]
So if you can't accept a genuine apology, at least accept my desire to be petty towards something else.
[That's fascinating. Not an answer he expected - it's almost funny. An apology is unnecessary, but provoking shadows is always a fun affair. The demons are closer to them than persona. He can understand the appeal.
He leans back too. Relaxed as ever in this comfortable little hovel in a shitty world.]
I didn't think you had it in you. I'm impressed - there's nothing wrong with lording your power sometimes, I suppose.
[He hates that little trident somebitch anyway. Hopes that one's the most pissed off.]
They'll learn to deal with it, if they want to stay under your thumb. It seems to be a comfortable place for them.
I'm quite capable of being petty, especially towards demons.
[And Demi-Fiend, who is also a demon, technically. Still, he shakes his head slightly.]
You're a little mistaken, though. The demons don't have a choice but to follow my word, and the other demons who are particularly upset by my apologizing are ones that I've personally consumed and will eventually subsume.
[Eventually, they won't be little voices in his head anymore, and he longs for that day.]
To a demon, might makes right. A show of power is all that's needed to control most of them, but the King of Bel's power is absolute over all demons. They can't go against my word, even if they wanted to. I suppose my power over them would be like God's power over His Angels, absolute, though demons are a little more unruly.
You don't think they'll revolt someday? Power is never absolute. You gained it from another, someone could easily take it from you.
[The drinks come by, set neatly between the two of them. Akechi doesn't hesitate to slide his own multi-colored bougie one towards his lips. Kazuya can do whatever he wants with his own.]
Or are you that confident in your own skill to think your power is eternal?
[As the drinks arrive, Kazuya waits, listens to what Akechi has to say, and while it's reasonable, it's all reasonable, really. Reasonable assumptions from a human perspective.
But demons aren't humans.]
The only way a demon could go against my word is if they held a contract with a human that made them do so. The only thing more absolute than the King of Bel's word, is that of a contract. So, in theory a "revolt" would be possible, but it wouldn't happen from the demons, but humans themselves.
[And even then, that would require a contract. A dangerous proposition, for a human.
Kazuya takes his turn to take a sip of his own drink too.]
The King of Bel's power is absolute. There's nothing and no one, at least in my world, that could stand against it. When it comes to skill, however... I know I'm lacking there.
[The fact that he didn't smack Akechi immediately down is proof enough of that.]
Still, it's interesting that you think of issues humans might have in my situation, even though I'm not human, and demons aren't humans either. [Akechi is aware of this, he realizes.]
Where a human king might fall or be ousted, demons value power above all else. If the other demon is stronger, they'll follow as an act of self-preservation, though it's not uncommon for equally matched demons to bicker and fight for supremacy amongst themselves either.
[Now this is an interesting topic - humans and demons, Akechi listen with dutiful intent. Overthrowing could come from another human and not too long ago, Kazuya was handing out demons to others. Contract or not, that was dangerous. Contract or not, anyone could have exploited that.
Maybe Akechi should test the limit of that binding agreement sometime. He always wondered if he had the same power as Kurusu Akira after all.]
You'll have to forgive me, your majesty. A human can only think in human terms, after all.
[A sarcastic lilt at the end. He swallows it back down with another sugary sip.]
The way you describe it, demons sound like mindless animals meant to be exploited. After meeting some of yours, I find that to be more true than ever.
[Tilted by the pitchfork one??? MORE LIKELY THAN U THINK.]
But it doesn't make your power or what you accomplished less impressive. You're almost untouchable.
[The sarcasm is laughed at, and Kazuya clearly pays it no mind, doesn't take any sort of offense to it, because Akechi is right. Most people have that narrow scope of which to view things. He's been simultaneously blessed and cursed by having his entire world turned upside down, as it were.
And when he talks about exploiting the demons, his lip quirks in amusement. Entertainment. Long and not too long ago, Atsuro had also poised that thought. Give humans power over demons, bring them under heel. He hadn't thought it possible as things were, but maybe now it seems more reasonable.]
You're not the only one I know who thought demons could be exploited by humans. It's interesting to think about, isn't it? But then, it'd be all too easy to abuse that sort of power, if it fell into the wrong hands.
[He doesn't give a shit about that here, honestly. His fingers tap gently against the table.]
Almost. [He concedes easily.] Given the nature of this place, I'm not entirely confident I'm the biggest fish in this pond either. Wouldn't mind testing my abilities against some of the other power houses here. I think it'd be fun to know where I stand in comparison.
[The full extent of his ability, as if a lesser demon could ever hope a modicum of such a thing. The thought itself is hilarious, but he won't reveal that much so soon. ]
Not at all. I'm curious to see what demon might be called by your will, if I'm perfectly honest.
[He could just grab any demon, but a chance to see what demon is most like to align with his soul? He's most interested in that.]
Then let's try it after we're through here. As curious as I am, I'm enjoying our time at this club. I would hate to leave before the main songs start.
[The knife is taken off the table, pressed into one of his coat pockets to deal with later.
He's relaxed. Content. Unwound by soft music, the drinks and pleasant company.]
There are also more questions I want to ask you, though they're philosophical in nature. The fact you aren't human makes your answers more valuable to hear.
[A nod, and he'll finish the rest of his drink, pushing the empty glass off to the side and slouching a little in his chair, just as relaxed as the other seems to be. The music isn't what he'd normally listen to, but it's pleasant all the same. Tasteful. He likes it, and it will undoubtedly find its way onto his MP3 player at some point.]
Sure. I can't promise my answers will be the most interesting, but if you want to hear them, I'll oblige.
[It's the least he can do, and honestly, he doesn't mind Akechi's company.
Funny, considering the other had jammed that very same knife he returned into his chest.]
[It's an evening spent waxing poetic over philosophical questions - every answer noted. All obliged. The king is pleasant, Akechi takes advantage and by the end of the night -
He had a good time, frankly. Kazuya is calm and aloof during it all. It reminds him of Akira. Makes him wonder how chaos incarnate can remain so composed - the only agitation he's ever shown was during their battle, while he was trying to rip Loki out of his heart. It's why he was chosen to take over the world, or so Akechi assumes.
It doesn't matter. Kazuya doesn't live in his reality. Isn't a hinderance or help to his plan - he's basically nothing.
By the time he gets home, there's a new addition to the machiya.
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After all, it wasn't Akechi's fault. Akechi hadn't started the fight, hadn't deserved what Kazuya had done to him.
So he'll wait for Akechi to show up, as early as he is, the others cleaned knife tucked away nicely and wrapped in just as clean cloth.]
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Even if he did, Akechi was prepared to have a nice evening here.
The music is low and quiet. Dolph an ever calming presence in the background of the establishment.
He strides to Kazuya's side. Points out a table in a low-lit corner, away from others and adjacent to a pair of speakers playing a consistent, placating tune.]
I hope you weren't waiting long. If you don't mind, I would prefer we relax somewhere private, though if you would rather sit at the bar, I'm not opposed.
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I wasn't waiting too long, don't worry.
[He doubts Akechi was.]
And somewhere private I think is best. Besides, I don't drink.
[He's not sure whether or not that'll come as a surprise, given not only his nature, but also the fact that they're no longer in Japan, and the legal drinking age doesn't apply here anyway.
The moment they sit though, Kazuya will grab the knife from his pocket, still wrapped in a soft cloth, and slide it across the table towards Akechi.
He ducks his head politely as he apologizes at the same time.]
I'd like to apologize for what I did to you. I lost control, and I shouldn't have let it happen.
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At the sight of his knife returned. Kazuya bows. Neither one of them indulge in alcohol, but Akechi wants one of the colorful, virgin drinks the acting bartender will make. He orders two when an attendant walks by.
He checks the state of the weapon - it's fine. Lets it sit on the table where it was placed and crosses one leg over the other, folds both hands against the knife on the tabletop. Neat. Proper.]
Frankly, I don't need an apology. There's no requirement to coddle me - I don't regret our fight or how it turned out. You provoked, but I continued it. It was a mutual affair.
[Pissed? He was. Yeah. He won't ever get over how tilted it made him to be afflicted with a series of ailments, but that's power. He can respect it.]
If I may give you some advice - a King shouldn't apologize. It makes you look weak.
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It's not a lie, but the fact remains: Kazuya struck first.
Still, he didn't think the dismissal of his apology would be that he doesn't want to be coddled... ]
Truthfully, I'm apologizing for two reasons, one is that I am genuinely sorry it got so out of hand, and two, because it pisses off the other Bel demons to admit it. For exactly the reason you stated.
[ Oh, how it makes them particularly cantankerous.
Kazuya leans back in his chair a little, relaxing despite the admission. ]
So if you can't accept a genuine apology, at least accept my desire to be petty towards something else.
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He leans back too. Relaxed as ever in this comfortable little hovel in a shitty world.]
I didn't think you had it in you. I'm impressed - there's nothing wrong with lording your power sometimes, I suppose.
[He hates that little trident somebitch anyway. Hopes that one's the most pissed off.]
They'll learn to deal with it, if they want to stay under your thumb. It seems to be a comfortable place for them.
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[And Demi-Fiend, who is also a demon, technically. Still, he shakes his head slightly.]
You're a little mistaken, though. The demons don't have a choice but to follow my word, and the other demons who are particularly upset by my apologizing are ones that I've personally consumed and will eventually subsume.
[Eventually, they won't be little voices in his head anymore, and he longs for that day.]
To a demon, might makes right. A show of power is all that's needed to control most of them, but the King of Bel's power is absolute over all demons. They can't go against my word, even if they wanted to. I suppose my power over them would be like God's power over His Angels, absolute, though demons are a little more unruly.
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[The drinks come by, set neatly between the two of them. Akechi doesn't hesitate to slide his own multi-colored bougie one towards his lips. Kazuya can do whatever he wants with his own.]
Or are you that confident in your own skill to think your power is eternal?
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But demons aren't humans.]
The only way a demon could go against my word is if they held a contract with a human that made them do so. The only thing more absolute than the King of Bel's word, is that of a contract. So, in theory a "revolt" would be possible, but it wouldn't happen from the demons, but humans themselves.
[And even then, that would require a contract. A dangerous proposition, for a human.
Kazuya takes his turn to take a sip of his own drink too.]
The King of Bel's power is absolute. There's nothing and no one, at least in my world, that could stand against it. When it comes to skill, however... I know I'm lacking there.
[The fact that he didn't smack Akechi immediately down is proof enough of that.]
Still, it's interesting that you think of issues humans might have in my situation, even though I'm not human, and demons aren't humans either. [Akechi is aware of this, he realizes.]
Where a human king might fall or be ousted, demons value power above all else. If the other demon is stronger, they'll follow as an act of self-preservation, though it's not uncommon for equally matched demons to bicker and fight for supremacy amongst themselves either.
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Maybe Akechi should test the limit of that binding agreement sometime. He always wondered if he had the same power as Kurusu Akira after all.]
You'll have to forgive me, your majesty. A human can only think in human terms, after all.
[A sarcastic lilt at the end. He swallows it back down with another sugary sip.]
The way you describe it, demons sound like mindless animals meant to be exploited. After meeting some of yours, I find that to be more true than ever.
[Tilted by the pitchfork one??? MORE LIKELY THAN U THINK.]
But it doesn't make your power or what you accomplished less impressive. You're almost untouchable.
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And when he talks about exploiting the demons, his lip quirks in amusement. Entertainment. Long and not too long ago, Atsuro had also poised that thought. Give humans power over demons, bring them under heel. He hadn't thought it possible as things were, but maybe now it seems more reasonable.]
You're not the only one I know who thought demons could be exploited by humans. It's interesting to think about, isn't it? But then, it'd be all too easy to abuse that sort of power, if it fell into the wrong hands.
[He doesn't give a shit about that here, honestly. His fingers tap gently against the table.]
Almost. [He concedes easily.] Given the nature of this place, I'm not entirely confident I'm the biggest fish in this pond either. Wouldn't mind testing my abilities against some of the other power houses here. I think it'd be fun to know where I stand in comparison.
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[A beat, and-]
If I may - are you still allowing people to take control of your demons for minor tasks?
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[No one has to get seriously hurt, or if they do, There's no reason that they can't be further healed.
Kazuya takes a moment to take another drink before answering Akechi's question. ]
I am. It's a dangerous place here, after all.
[ People might need or want that protection, security at least for their own peace of mind. ]
You interested?
[ Akechi doesn't strike him as someone who might need a demon, but if he wants one, Kazuya has no problems in letting him have one. ]
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[He's gonna negotiate the shit out of it. Then kill it, probably. ♥
He swishes the last bit of his drink around - mixing the colors, unsettling whatever's at the bottom.]
If you don't mind, that is.
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Not at all. I'm curious to see what demon might be called by your will, if I'm perfectly honest.
[He could just grab any demon, but a chance to see what demon is most like to align with his soul? He's most interested in that.]
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[The knife is taken off the table, pressed into one of his coat pockets to deal with later.
He's relaxed. Content. Unwound by soft music, the drinks and pleasant company.]
There are also more questions I want to ask you, though they're philosophical in nature. The fact you aren't human makes your answers more valuable to hear.
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Sure. I can't promise my answers will be the most interesting, but if you want to hear them, I'll oblige.
[It's the least he can do, and honestly, he doesn't mind Akechi's company.
Funny, considering the other had jammed that very same knife he returned into his chest.]
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He had a good time, frankly. Kazuya is calm and aloof during it all. It reminds him of Akira. Makes him wonder how chaos incarnate can remain so composed - the only agitation he's ever shown was during their battle, while he was trying to rip Loki out of his heart. It's why he was chosen to take over the world, or so Akechi assumes.
It doesn't matter. Kazuya doesn't live in his reality. Isn't a hinderance or help to his plan - he's basically nothing.
By the time he gets home, there's a new addition to the machiya.
Thanks king. Social link ahoy.]