HIKAGE | 緋影 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
psychedelica) wrote2018-06-23 09:37 pm
psychedelica) wrote2018-06-23 09:37 pm
(no subject)
[ compared to their meeting from last week, Hikage's attitude is markedly different... Or, perhaps more accurately, it's the same as it usually is. Rather than quivering with some kind of dark anticipation or grinning like a wolf, he looks... stoic. Bemused. A lot like normal Hikage, really.
Things didn't go quite as planned for him this week - both in terms of the trial, and in terms of his personal life. He's lost. But he still comes to collect, as promised, knocking at Akechi's door. ]
Open up. It's Hikage.
Things didn't go quite as planned for him this week - both in terms of the trial, and in terms of his personal life. He's lost. But he still comes to collect, as promised, knocking at Akechi's door. ]
Open up. It's Hikage.
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[well, that's something Akechi will want to come back to later. but for now? Hikage has an objective]
I know about that Ion-san, yes. Did he tell you his objective?
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[ frankly spoken. ]
He was set on doing it, but he seems like he's changing his mind after what happened with his partner.
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[white noise]
What? I knew his objective was to die, but I--
[he seems. . . shocked, that there were conditions placed upon his death. that the conditions are basically something that amounts to slow torture]
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What's wrong with that? Were you intending on killing him yourself? If you're creative, I'm sure you can still do it.
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His objective is ridiculous. [coming from the man who encouraged the completion of same] The Crafters should have given him something more suitable to his personality.
[his objective is perfectly suited to his personality, and Akechi knows it. maybe that's why he doesn't like it. someone who gives and gives and gives and gives as much as he's seen Ion give these past few weeks doesn't. . . deserve to die in that manner]
[that's what he's decided]
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[ at his heart, does he really want Ion to die? he doesn't think that he does - he's young, young-seeming and young-looking, and that strikes a chord in Hikage. but pretending he doesn't care to try and relish some of his struggle - and Akechi's struggle - feels so much easier. It doesn't make him feel better. But it makes him feel good, just a little bit. ]
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His objective doesn't suit him at all, regardless of what you say.
[he'll deny that even in the face of an obvious truth, for reasons he realize make him soft, make him unsuited to participate in a game like this one]
[perhaps, after everything, Akechi just. . . doesn't want to see that Ion die]
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[ the reasons are fairly obvious to Hikage; he tilts his head. ]
More than fulfilling a wish of your own? That's surprising.
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Perhaps.
[it's hard to admit to that. and even now, telling that kind of truth leaves a bad taste in his mouth. but people like Ion, like Eichi, like Monika, like Natsuo, have already started to change the makeup of his heart. and he thinks so many others beyond those four are capable of seeing through him, that maybe now is not really the time to hide it]
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Why? Do you really think he can forgive you?
[ ion is probably the type to forgive. hikage knows that. but he wants to hear the answer to this from akechi. maybe he wants to plant a seed of doubt, to see that despair grow... or maybe, just maybe, he's projecting a little bit here. ]
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[Akechi finds himself rearing back, as though slapped, expression twisting into something unpleasant. he wants to argue. wants to insist it isn't about forgiveness. has never been about forgiveness. but if he did that, the'd have to admit to so many other things]
[that he's drawn in by Ion's kindness. his giving nature. the fact that he knows what Akechi's true face looks like, and is still there to support him. that the kindness Ion gives is something Akechi has craved for so, so long]
I don't give a shit if anyone forgives me or not
[he snaps, words cold and sharp]
GOD IM SORRY AKECHI
[ The ugly reaction only feeds the master's satisfaction - so pleasant, so raw. That little semblance of control over something is all that's kept him going for so many years. For a moment, he can forget about the flutters of happiness he feels when his partner confides in him or people call themselves his friends, and pretend that he is confident in the truth he's found. ]
People like you and I don't fit into their world. You can't go back. You should know better. [ a beat. ] But maybe it's good if you're close to him. Yes - he'd rush to his death to heal you in an instant. Both of you could fulfill your objectives.
NO I LOVE HIKAGE. . .
[everything he says is completely, 100% correct, without any doubts whatsoever. but even so, every word seems to sting, as though Akechi is realizing that maybe, just maybe, he finally allowed himself to believe that he did belong. for just a second]
[what an idiot he is]
[he shakes his head, forces himself to calm down, one hand pressed against his temple. he also pulls up a strained smile]
Yes. . . that is one benefit of him believing he is my friend. If I'm close to death, surely he'll throw himself in front of the bullet for my sake.
I HATE HIM
Keep that in mind. I doubt you're out of the woods yet. Even if they're acting like they accept you, most of them would still kill you for what you've done. He can be your failsafe. [ it's a horrible thing to say, he knows - ion is just a boy - but he makes himself smile, and clings to the chill that he feels. ] ... That's all I have to say to you. You can rest.
DO YOU THO
[he knows that most of the castle, a few people aside, would kill him the moment it became convenient for them. it's just. . . for now? they don't have to, they don't need to. and that has been his only saving grace]
Then if I'm allowed to rest, I'd like to return to my room now.