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phantasmalrift2018-06-10 11:47 pm
phantasmods) wrote in phantasmalrift2018-06-10 11:47 pm
Entry tags:
IC INTRO - JUNE '18
After the fight with the siren has settled, those characters with phones hooked to the KEystone network will get a text -
Okay, everyone, you had better come back in. There's a storm brewing just off the coast.
Even given Up's usual professionalism, it seems rather... subdued?
----
For once, there are no androids at all to greet you upon your return, or arrival, as the case may be. A shelter has been set up for the boats on the shoreline of Glitterstone, however. By the time you tromp up the lighthouse stairs to the level of the Station itself, the sky is beginning to grey with the promised storm.
There's not the typical feast outside, but there is a fairly extensive taco bar set up in the common room, left unattended as well. The room sign-up sheet and boxes of freebies are also there, complete with the Braille versions, and a note at the bottom of both room sheets reads "If all rooms are full, space has been made in the meeting rooms on the top floor. We'll have additional rooms available as soon as possible."
It does appear that someone has updated the murder counter while you were away, however, for the turning of the week. It now reads 15 weeks without murder.
Other than that, you're free to explore, including in the newly finished sections of the Annex (should you be willing to brave the storm to get between buildings). However, wherever you go, the androids are almost conspicuously absent - even in the medical bay and Down's workstation in the command center.
The meeting room they have for their own private use is securely closed and locked.
Okay, everyone, you had better come back in. There's a storm brewing just off the coast.
Even given Up's usual professionalism, it seems rather... subdued?
----
For once, there are no androids at all to greet you upon your return, or arrival, as the case may be. A shelter has been set up for the boats on the shoreline of Glitterstone, however. By the time you tromp up the lighthouse stairs to the level of the Station itself, the sky is beginning to grey with the promised storm.
There's not the typical feast outside, but there is a fairly extensive taco bar set up in the common room, left unattended as well. The room sign-up sheet and boxes of freebies are also there, complete with the Braille versions, and a note at the bottom of both room sheets reads "If all rooms are full, space has been made in the meeting rooms on the top floor. We'll have additional rooms available as soon as possible."
It does appear that someone has updated the murder counter while you were away, however, for the turning of the week. It now reads 15 weeks without murder.
Other than that, you're free to explore, including in the newly finished sections of the Annex (should you be willing to brave the storm to get between buildings). However, wherever you go, the androids are almost conspicuously absent - even in the medical bay and Down's workstation in the command center.
The meeting room they have for their own private use is securely closed and locked.
no subject
It is. I found it on the Trivesta when I went to check on the ghosts after we defeated that eldritch monster, and I couldn't leave the poor thing stranded.
[He crouches down and holds out his left hand. The cat glances toward the movement, then comes trotting over to nudge into his hand for pets.]
And the only ghosts that came back are the ones who live here, you know.
no subject
The dismissiveness of it has his blood running cold. Could he still be so flippant in the face of what he'd done? Haha, of course, it is only Shido. Only the man who ruined his life. Why not treat his feelings as inconsequential? Why not traumatize him with the knowledge it was what he deserved?
Shido had thought Akechi's words during the karaoke party had been genuine. There had seemed to be a boy who was genuinely wanting his father's attention and approval. He'd seen a side of Akechi that he never got to before... his hope had been reignited.
Now he wasn't sure what to believe. In the midst of trying his best... somewhere he failed, and Akechi had deliberately— haha, it was... it had just been an accident, right?
Loki!
He abruptly realizes he's taken too long to respond, lost in his thoughts, when he shakes his head.]
Yes, of course... I'm... just feeling a bit under the weather.
[His gaze falls to the cat, brow a bit tense.]
no subject
The cat he's petting gives a quiet meow and nuzzles against his wrist.]
...I can't say I'm surprised, you're not exactly used to spending an entire day pushing yourself...let alone three. Have you seen a doctor about whatever might have been on that piece of metal?
no subject
Not yet. I suppose I should.
[There's a moment of hesitation, but he does start to move to go past Akechi. He's definitely... much quieter than usual, not attempting to reach out like he was.
Hah, a lot of good it did them both in the end.]
no subject
... But he recognizes those voices, and he's just close enough that he can feel... something.
Are these really the same two people? He... normally wouldn't bother. It's none of his business. If something happened between them, it's their business, but... the air is so uncomfortable, and something tugs at him until he's casually stepping into the room.
He gives a surprised blink, and it only takes a little effort to make that what should be believable. ]
Oh... [ EXCUSE - MAKE ONE ] ... I was wondering whose cat that was.
[ The best part is it's not even a lie. He's just... leaning against the door frame, knowing good and damn well he's blocking the exit. He's looking from Akechi to Masayoshi. ]
... You two okay?
no subject
Goro glances up at the newcomer, and gives a slight wave.]
I'm a bit tired from the mission. Shido seems to be coming down with something, apparently.
[It's...technically true? He is tired from the mission. And he's hoping that's enough to avoid fussing, so he doesn't have to come up with an excuse for why else he seems a bit off right now.]
no subject
At Akechi's words, he gives a small smirk, slightly wry.]
An old man like me isn't used to quite so much activity... I was just on my way to check up with the doctor.
no subject
That doesn't explain why you were so afraid-
[ ... Whoops. He's... going to slowly look to the side now, and caaaasually fold his arms behind his head. ]
Your tone kind of gave it away...?
no subject
...
no subject
... he can see Akechi's reaction out of the corner of his eye. He may not be able to see the expression, but he's seen that head duck more than enough to know what it meant.
. . .]
I overstepped my boundaries.
[He draws in a breath to steady himself.]
Akechi here is my son. [He folds his hands behind him and looks to the teenager, gaze softening.] And unfortunately, he's suffered terribly at my hands. I realized far too late the error of my ways. To say that I failed him in every possible way as a father... does not begin to describe the depth of my sins.
[He turns his gaze back to Aiden.]
Since I've arrived here, I've been trying to be more like the father he deserves. But in an attempt to do that, I... carelessly misspoke and assumed too much familiarity. The fear is... being uncertain of how to proceed.
[He shakes his head.]
What I've done has broken our relationship in irreparable ways. It is as someone else here told me... the opportunity of a father-son relationship has likely passed. [He looks off to the side, staring at some inferred pattern on the wall.] And by saying what I did, I disrespected his boundaries... as well as the seriousness of the consequences of my actions.
[He finally looks to Akechi again.]
I'm sorry, Akechi. I won't make the same mistake again.
no subject
... So that explains why he lied when it came to healing you, as well.
[ He's releasing a heavy breath and lowering both hands to rub at his face. ]
I don't... exactly have experience with family, so...
[ Basically, he has zero understanding of what this could be like for Akechi. But... he is looking over to him, quietly watching the teenager. ]
no subject
I...was trying to re-establish distance. But my response wasn't intended to be that extreme.
[It still feels weird, feeling guilt for having maimed Shido. A month ago, he would've just grinned over the old man as he bled out. Then again...four months ago, he would have tried to kill Akira for getting in his way.]
I suppose we both acted without thinking things through.
no subject
It's alright, Akechi.
[His voice is... gentle, and reassuring. He then looks at Aiden.]
I'm sorry to hear that. Family is paramount, back where we come from.
[He nods to him.]
If you need help with anything, let me know. If nothing else, I can point you in the right direction.
no subject
Family is paramount - the... leader's exact words...
Man, that laugh that escapes is- it sure is something. He releases a tense exhale, trying to force his voice into something steady? ]
Well... Not having family instantly makes you garbage, where I'm from...
[ He quickly latches onto Shido's next words, pushing that man's face out of his mind. ]
Anyway... You've done more than enough for me at this point. Both of you.
no subject
You'll find the multiverse is much more forgiving in that regard, at least.
no subject
What Akechi said. You won't find judgement for it here.
... and if you mean I've given you enough grief already, I'll certainly attest to that. [...................... was that an attempt at some humor?????] Don't worry so much. You'll find it's generally pretty slow-going here on the days we're not on expedition anyhow.
no subject
... So, Akechi became an orphan, too? He knows Masayoshi- abandoned him, but what of his mother? He looks to the older man for a moment. There's a blink, and then the ghost of a smirk tugs at his lips. Good job, old man; you almost made him laugh. He forces that down and shakes his head. ]
I'm still alive, right? So... our meeting could have gone much worse.
[ Hesitantly, he looks back to Akechi. For a moment, his lips draw together a little tightly... ]
You, too, though...? So... your mother...?
no subject
[Yeah, he...sure is looking at Shido.]
And mothers of illegitimate children are often disowned in our country, so I had no more distant relatives willing to take care of me.
no subject
[He does give a bit of a wince this time at Akechi's words, gaze casting away.]
no subject
In most cases, people just don't want more than one kid on Daeseon. It's too much to worry about, when there are monsters roaming the streets. Not to mention, parents just toss their kids aside anyway once they start to show signs of having used magic.
[ A grim smirk... ]
And those kids are left to fend for themselves on the streets until they're old enough to hold some kind of job. Although... that's only if they survive until then.
[ He's having to look away at the last part; the unsteady tone isn't helping his case. He holds a blink, taking in a tense breath as he does. But after that, he's managed to regain some composure. Just in time for- ]
.........
[ Nevermind? His expression tenses, and he looks away all over again. ]
... Guess you have a point there.
no subject
Selfish shits...
no subject
... but clearly not something enough... it's a thought that he tucks away for now, because that? That's... quite a response to his words. It causes his gaze to linger on Aiden, before he lets out a breath.]
... but not a strong one, hm?
[It's not something Shido really thinks about anymore. He's thrown himself so fully into training, into expeditioning and mingling so that he doesn't have time to think about those sort of things. About those unpleasant thoughts which send him spiraling downwards.
He continues on smoothly, however; no need to dwell on that.]
Magic is practiced here openly, as you've seen. You can rest easy here.
[Not just from having to fend for himself on a dangerous world, if that was indeed what he had to do.]
no subject
... That's...
And he just... releases a tense breath - a very tense breath. ]
And... how many of the ones practicing magic here are from a world called Daeseon, would you say?
[ He's trying to make a point here... Sorry, Masayoshi, but he's... not... at his best right this second. ]
There's a theory that the magic itself that's cursed. The more someone uses it, the more they- change. The less human they become.
[ And he's finally blinking and looking away from Akechi..... ]
... Children change the fastest. And there's nothing that can undo the process - even avoiding magic simply halts it. But, by that point... the body already craves what life force it lost in the process of using the magic. Before long, that's all the person can think about: replenishing what was lost...