DUNGEON LOG: KEYSTONE REEF

[phantasmods]

Expedition day dawns, as usual, with an android mass text -

Okay, so, this time we're aiming to go out and stabilize the Fissure in the reef you can see up a little to the north of here. The waters are usually pretty calm this time of year, so if you can swim instead of needing to take a boat, that'd be a great help. We only have a few of them.

Also, I know that last time was a mess, so I'm just gonna say this: If you need to get out for any reason, just send us a message and a picture of your location. We'll get a drone out to you as soon as we can and bring you home. No questions asked.

( ﾟ▽ﾟ)/ Stay safe out there! When you're ready to go, meet us down at the beach. The rocky, sparkly one, not the sandy one.

Unlike previous expeditions, this time there's no rooftop sendoff - instead, as Charm noted, the tables are set up on Glitterstone beach, along with a series of boats pulled up on the sand. Two rowboats that could maybe sit six people but probably better suited for four, a trio of inflatable rafts (with motors attached to the back, all mismatched) of about the same size, a two-person dinghy and a long canoe that could hold two or three.

Besides the little fleet, there's also the usual bagged lunches (in gallon ziplocs this time, and other such watertight containers), and every boat is equipped with a large number of those chepa dollar-store water bottles, all with their airtight store seals. There's also a selection of life vests and other floatation thingies in a box next to the table. Strange hovers over the setup, checking watertightness of a handful of first aid kits with a spritzer and a bucket to submerge things in. They give a little wave to anyone passing by headed to the boats.

For those who opt instead to swim, everything seems perfectly normal until you reach the border of the Fissure... When, very suddenly, it isn't.

Comments

[makejapangreat]

[...?

He honestly wasn't expecting his mood to sour so quickly? For him to be— is he upset at Shido's reaction? Indeed, when he looks over, he discovers the teenager isn't even looking at him. . .

He lets out a breath.]

I— [mmm] I'm sorry. That reaction was uncalled for.

... I really did plan on just throwing it away. The size of my thumbs alone made it difficult to use. Yet somehow I felt bad for— giving in so easily. Even though it's only a toy. [Slowly, he unravels his hand to look down at it.] So I found a stylus. Surprisingly, it's... served as a reminder, of sorts. For.. me to look after myself.

[His eyes draw up to Akira after a breath, and he gives a nod, his expression just... a touch gentler now.]

So, thank you.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's sorry, huh? ... For some reason, he's having an incredibly difficult time accepting it. He still feels angry as hell, even if he knows this is a case of him being irrational. And he knows there's something more to this - something just out of reach, that he can't put a finger on.

After a slow breath, he looks back to Shido. He went out of the way to find a stylus, and this thing actually reminds him to take care of himself? And he's thanking him?

... Even with how angry he feels, he can't help that this does tug at something within him. How did it get to the point where he wants to punch Shido just as much as he wants to continue helping him? What the fuck is his life at this point. ]

I'm not the one who told you how to use it... [ just. looking to the side, twisting a strand of bangs ] So you don't have to thank me for that.

[ Is that a soft huff? It's a soft huff. ]

[makejapangreat]

[... what's with that reaction? Shido can't help but raise his eyebrow a little, then gives a soft puff of air as he puts the device away.]

Then I suppose I should thank you for continuing to try to help me. Even if it is only for Akechi... You've given me valuable advice. In some ways, you helped return some strength to me.

I know I've caused you a lot of trouble and pain... for a very long time. Quite frankly... I'm flattered that you believe I have the ability to change rather than dismissing me as a lost cause.

[He bows at the waist.]

Thank you.

[beguiledcard]

[ Oh...

Unfortunately, for Akira, he can't scramble to hide the surprise... nor the way those words strike something in him. Not in time, anyway. Shido has more than enough time to straighten back up and catch the raw expression on his face. Congrats?

Akira averts his gaze, going characteristically quiet, conflict now resting on his face... ]

[makejapangreat]

[Shido does look up when he doesn't get a response, and well in time to catch that expression. Ah...

He slowly straightens back up.]

I've been working on my stamina, as well.

[There actually seems to be a flicker of light within his tired eyes; a sense of pride. It's... not really anything that could have him battle-ready, not yet, but the improvement has been noticeable...]

[beguiledcard]

[ Okay, Akira, you're acting stupid... Pull it together.

Honestly, though, he shouldn't be so thrown off by his efforts paying off. It's been over a year since he really started fighting to make a difference in people's lives, and... heh. Yeah, a lot of that was done supernaturally; a lot of it was a matter of changing hearts. But quite a few people were helped in other ways...

Is it because this was one of the more lost causes? Is it because he's directly related to Goro Akechi? Because this is the guy whose cognition shot the Goro Akechi in his own timeline, after having destroyed so many other lives? There are so many reasons to continue hating him, and yet he's been working to let go of that...

Akira holds a blink, taking a deep breath before looking directly at him. He... actually can see that look in his eyes, and... again with the conflict. Now isn't the time for that.

So, he nods. And the next words are meant to be said as a mere statement, and yet there's something more in there - genuine gratitude. ]

You kept your word.

[makejapangreat]

Of course. If there's one thing I strive to be now, it's a man of my word.

Care to test me?

[beguiledcard]

[ Well, that certainly has something entering his own gaze: something fiery, and very much akin to what he wears as Joker. And... opposite to how he usually sounds with Shido: ]

Challenging me, huh?

[ It's almost teasing, just shy of playful... ]

All right. How about a quick race, then? From here to... [ insert random, very noticeable marker in the distance ] There.

[makejapangreat]

[Ah, that's quite a sprint... nevertheless, Shido nods.]

On your mark, then.

[beguiledcard]

[ There's no better distraction from feelings than physical exercise?

He nods, moving into position. ]

Get set...

[makejapangreat]

[Shido takes off once the signal is given, sprinting towards that marker. It's quite a run, and by the time he crosses, his legs and lungs are absolutely burning. He comes to a stop and gasps for air...

And then gives a small, breathless laugh. Here he is at 53 years old and he just managed to run all that way... Even though now his body actually wants to murder him.]

[beguiledcard]

[ He manages to beat him by several seconds, and is briefly resting his hands on his knees as he waits...

When he hears that laugh, he blinks. It... probably was just his imagination. In any case, this is far more improvement than he'd been expecting. He straightens up, stretches a little, and then gives Shido an approving nod. ]

Not bad.

[makejapangreat]

Not bad at all.

[Though uh, he's just... going to take a seat for a moment? He's wiped.]

Hooh...

[beguiledcard]

[ That gets the ghost of a smirk. ]

You've still got a long way to go...

[ . . . ]

... but, at this rate, it shouldn't take as long as I thought it would for you to get there.

[makejapangreat]

Well, I did do some level of working out back at home. No cardio, though...

[He looks at Akira curiously.]

Akira... what are you hoping will come of this?

[beguiledcard]

I can't say mind reading is a favorite task of mine. [ HAHA...ha ] Which "this" are you referring to?

[ After a pause, he shrugs a shoulder. ]

If it's the working out part, I'm hoping you'll find something to feel proud of.

[makejapangreat]

[must you be this sassy all the time! A soft puff at what he says.]

I meant "this".

[He gestures between them.]

You said you wanted to do it so that you could help Akechi. Do you feel like you've gotten any closer to that goal?

[beguiledcard]

[ ... yeah, see, he was afraid that's what Shido had been referring to. ]

In all fairness, for a proper judgement, I think this kind of thing will take longer than we've had so far...

[ But, there's something awkward in his expression as he glances away. ]

[makejapangreat]

... fair enough.

[He watches Akira for a moment before casting his gaze back to the group.]

To be honest, he's already surprised me.

[beguiledcard]

Has he?

[ There's a softening of his expression. ]

Goro Akechi is nothing, if not surprising...

[ . . . ]

How has he surprised you, though?

[makejapangreat]

He's surprised me in many ways. Approaching me as much as he has since I've come here is one of them.

[... but he doesn't want to talk about the karaoke night. Because right now... that moment belongs to him and Akechi alone.]

I'll admit, though, it is nice to see him so full of life. Well. Figuratively speaking, I suppose.

[beguiledcard]

[ Mm...... ]

... You're acknowledging him as a person.

[ That's... ugh. Okay, deep breath; let's... try to figure out something to say - to... what? Guide him on his own son??? Hah... he wouldn't know the first thing about a proper father-son relationship.

Something in his expression strains to a noticeable degree; he averts his gaze for a moment. ]

What's your goal with him?

[makejapangreat]

[Shido looks back over when he makes that comment and just in time to catch the strain to his expression. Huh...]

My goal, hm?

[He considers for a moment.]

I want to make up for everything I've done. But... [... that's not all...] . . . if I can become a positive influence in his life... and learn who he is as a person, and help him in his time of need... that would be the ultimate goal.

[beguiledcard]

[ He's quiet for a long moment... ]

Then, you're... on the right path, I think.

[ Okay, so... fuck it. Time to tell him a story. ]

I watched the first Goro Akechi I knew lose his mind completely, after we chose to go with the plan to trick you into believing you successfully had him kill me. He-...

[ ... ]

I don't know what exactly went through his head, other than... what you can probably imagine in a situation like that. One where he believed he'd lost everything, including his revenge...

[ His expression is wry. ]

That's a chance I'll never get back; he's gone, and I've- accepted that, for now.

[ Whatever could he mean by "for now." ]

My point is... you're doing a lot more than I think you realize. Him having all these people, especially the person he wanted to be acknowledge by more than anyone else - you, is already... saving him a little more, every day. Even if you're still a conflicting subject for him, I do believe you're on the right track.

[makejapangreat]

[The beginning of the story is an immediate punch in the gut, and it reflects in Shido's eyes. His brow furrows in pain... He briefly closes his eyes hard, and it's clear he's mourning the son that he lost. That he destroyed.

He opens his eyes back up at the words of encouragement, and... he gives a small smile, honestly grateful.]

Thank you, Akira. That really means a lot.

[A steadying breath, a bit of a hard swallow as he looks down, smile faltering.]

... I'm glad that I can help this one, at least.