ruffboi | akira catchall

I guess he was lucky he didn't lose an arm, but--

[well. Akira doesn't know what the tattoo means, so. . . he can't comment any further]

And good. But there is something I want to talk to you about.

Can I come in?

[it's easier to talk when he isn't standing in the doorway]

Yeah, make yourself at home! It's not my cabin, but I've been crashing here.

Home is where you hang your hat.

[nodnods!! he'll step inside and close the door behind him, seeking out the chair near the desk]

So. . . anyway. [. . .] I talked to Taako a bit last night, but I wanted to ask you, too.

How did you two know about Shinobu and Sanji, if they really did have roles?

Uh.

[Rubbing his jaw, awkward.]

So the thing about that is. [Shrugs?] I'd really like to help you out, Akira. But - Sanji's killer didn't get caught, right?

[thaaaat's about what he expected, and his nose wrinkles in response. but still, he has to try]

Mmm, that's right. But I'm not asking about Sanji's killer. Whoever that mysterious person might be.

["mysterious person"]

I'm curious about how Taako got his information; that's all.

Well. Somebody told me about it, but I'd rather not say who. And, uh, I didn't know much about any of it until very recently.

[another nod]

That's okay. Considering the consequences we suffer for sharing too much, I won't ask you to give me their name.

[but. . . that said--]

You two still know way more about it than anyone else here.

[Hmm. He sits back on his bed and looks at the ceiling for a long minute, thinking. Finally, he'll speak.]

Yeah, that's weird, huh? Almost like there's somebody who's been trying really hard to learn what's actually going on, instead of just trying to solve some dumbass rigged murders.

[STARES INTO THE DISTANCE]

[literally, for a moment Akira just. stares at the wall. a deadeyed, exhausted stare, before he speaks up]

We're all trying to learn what's actually going on, here. But what makes it hard is that sometimes we just.

Can't.

Talk about.

What we know.

[those last few lines are EXTREMELY strained]

Yeah, I know. I definitely feel you on that.

[Giving him a small smile. He wasn't meaning to be harsh, he just. Wanted to make a point.]

I got faith in you, though. You're pretty sharp.

[a tiny, frustrated sigh, but Magnus may get the sense it's not directed at him]

[. . .]

I think Taako was lying about what happened with Sanji.

[oh. he just. comes out and says it]

But I remember what you told me about not being willing to compromise yourself for some stupid game. About not being willing to choose between the friends you have here and the ones you left behind.

So I can't believe that he was killed for absolutely no reason, either.

Yeah. I can't believe he was, either. He was a pretty nice guy. Don't tell Taako, 'cause they were always going at it, but I liked him.

[Apparently, being targeted for murder by Sanji didn't change that.]

Anyway, Taako definitely was lying. [Whoa.] Since I didn't kill Sanji.

[. . . a soft snort]

Right.

[. . .]

Hypothetically speaking, Magnus-- [god. how does he ask this??] -- wait. Let me start over.

Do you remember that memory of yours I saw?

I mean. Yeah? It was my memory, so. I hope so.

[Rude.]

[his lips twitch in light amusement]

Hypothetically speaking, if you were in the same position I was in that game, what would you want someone to do if they found out?

Well. . . it would depend on what the goals were, right? In Reaper's Game, we thought the goal was to kill everybody in that group. But it turned out we were wrong.

[He looks like he's really thinking about it.]

Guess the way I see it is - it's not so important who we catch, right? What's important is, how does it help everybody or hurt everybody.

I agree with that.

[immediate and with no hesitation whatsoever]

[. . .]

Taako kind of made it sound like Sanji targeted you because of the job he had with Heart. Putting aside the fact that I still don't think that's true-- [an. apologetic look, HE REALLY IS TRYING] -- how would Sanji dying be. . . helpful?

Or Shinobu, for that matter?

[or literally anyone but like, especially Shinobu and Sanji]

I don't think it would be.

[Shrugging!]

I think Sanji's a good guy, and it sounds like a lot of people relied on him. If he ambushed me, sure, I'd defend myself. I always keep my axe with me when I go to sleep at night. But I didn't have any reason to want to hurt him.

[. . .]

[JUST. SLUMPS IN HIS CHAIR, raising a hand to scrub at his face]

It'd be a lot easier if you and Taako were able to speak more freely without-- [gestures]

[as though]

[that says what it is he wants to say!!]

[Just. Smiling at him.]

Don't I know it. Fortunately, Taako and me are pretty good at reading between the lines.

Yeah, well. I'm not exactly sure I am.

[he sounds]

[so grouchy]

[AGAIN NOT AT MAGNUS]

I know I seem like I'm being unhelpful, but I'm trying to give you what you need.

[Patient, but a little frustrated sounding.]

No, no-- I know you are. I know. Trust me.

[a big emphasis on trust, followed by an exasperated sigh]

I just wish I was better at. . . understanding what isn't being said.

I do trust you.

[He frowns, thinking again.]

Look, it's like this. You think Taako and I know things other people don't, but. There's a lot of stuff I don't know.

If people thought I killed somebody and they voted me out - well, I don't exactly want to be scapegoated, but I wouldn't hold it against anybody or say you were wrong to do it. But they didn't vote me out, so now I sorta think you might be barking up the wrong tree, focusing on finding out what really happened.

[he shakes his head]

. . . the only reason I want to know what really happened is because of what Taako said about Shinobu and Sanji.

[said a little quietly. it also looks like he wants to say something else, but. . . he doesn't]

But. . . maybe I'm not meant to understand.

(no subject)

ruffboi - 2020-07-13 22:46 (UTC) - Expand