expiationlogs | ᴅᴀʀᴇᴅᴇᴠɪʟ, ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʜɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟʟ.

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ᴅᴀʀᴇᴅᴇᴠɪʟ, ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʜɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟʟ.

Who: Akira Kurusu, Goro Akechi, Nikolai Gogol, and anyone interested in some shenanigans!
Where: A handful of locations around Aldrip
What: Akira and Goro have decided to do some people-watching to determine the identity of Gogol's farce to fake his death.
Warnings: There's a closed prompt that's gonna result in half a centimeter from death, but otherwise the only real warnings are that Goro and Gogol are involved in this log. ...probably a lot of innuendo and stupid teenager bullshittery, also.

[Picture this; it's a normal Wednesday in Aldrip, the weather is reasonable, you're going about your daily life. There's been some craziness lately, hasn't there? Some clown stole some organs, some people got messed up getting those organs back, and then some more people got messed up killing the clown. Yikes!]

[What you may not realize, is during the Killing of the Clown™️, some more things were stolen. Goro took it upon himself to steal Gogol's cloak and tablet, and... Well. As it turned out, Gogol's death was merely temporary, try as he might to convince others he was gone for good. He'd like his things back, but he's currently under the guise of an unassuming Salaryman...,]

[Cut back to this perfectly pleasant, normal Wednesday! Goro Akechi has opted to attempt to sniff out Gogol's trickery, once and for all. With the help of his partner (in crime and everything else), they have stationed themselves in separate areas of the city, connected by a seemlingly innocuous phone call, enjoying the weather and doing some good old-fashioned detective work by way of people watching. What could possibly go wrong?]

//ooc; please do not reply to this main post! comments will go up shortly for both goro and akira, as well as a third closed prompt. pick who you'd like to interact with, or hassle them both! reply to their comments for any and all sort of shenanigans, centering on your character's basic daily life in aldrip. :>

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[Things proceed pretty normally for a while. People walking their dogs, people buying flowers, people checking in and out of the Inn, people going for some gaming. Nothing seems amiss, until Goro designates someone as suspicious on his end. He's in a bind, unable to properly make a move, so Akira takes things into his own hands.]

[He abandons his post at the Flower Shop, slipping his folder of papers into the bag slung over his shoulder, and makes his way to Goro, claiming his briefcase holding the overcoat. "Just to see if the guy you're suspecting follows me," he says. He's still on the wire, and heads back for Game Parade.]

[ In terms of being afforded any opportunity this tiny window is all he needs. Perhaps the two of them should look back on the experience and think of it as a miscalculation. Then again, it would've been hard to know exactly how heightened Nikolai's spatial awareness becomes when he's within 30 meters of The Overcoat.

At some point Akira might notice it. The salary man that's walking calmly behind him. The kind that slips easily into a crowd without a second glance.
The one catching up with ease despite it. ]

Excuse me. Do you have a moment?

[Over the year spent on probation in Tokyo, Akira had learned pretty well how to become largely invisible. Tokyo was an easy place to disappear, with the number of faces in a crowd, and with unkempt, curly black hair like roughly two thirds of the population, he could hunch his narrow shoulders and duck his head, slipping into near complete elusiveness. He'd never been able to do that, back home.]

[Aldrip, as it turned out, was a lot more like his hometown than Tokyo.]

[He hadn't run from Goro with the briefcase, only walked. It would seem odd if he ran. The man Goro suspected hadn't followed him, and Akira had been so laser-focused on seeking him in the periphery of his walk that he didn't notice the grey-suited man falling into step behind him. Game Parade came into his line of sight, and he didn't relax, but he felt like he'd succeeded in whatever he'd hoped for in taking the briefcase from Goro. If nothing else, he'd take the pressure off of him for a moment.]

[Or so he thought.]

[He startled when the man spoke, hopping a step and a half forward to spin round to face him, casually switching the briefcase to both hands, held behind him. He smiled reflexively, nodding his head and dipping forward in a shallow greeting.] Sure, what can I do for you?

[The wire is still on.]

...Pardon me, I didn't mean to startle you.

[ The way this kid jumps is so visibly on edge it's laughable. There's a walking stick that the salary man shifts from one hand to the other. The words sound sincere when he takes a moment to lean his weight on it when he bends forward—returning the shallow greeting in full. ]

It's just, uh, you have something of mine.

[ There's a sudden burst of energy that the salary man did not have a second ago. With a flourish he twirls the walking stick in his hand. From the end of an otherwise totally innocuous object a glinting blade snaps outwards from the bottom half of the sleek casing. All the way down to the abruptly lively voice he seems like an entirely different person. ]

So! Let's do an exchange. Shall we?

[ That blade gets re-sheathed soon enough; it's just that impromptu sheathe also so happens to be Akira's torso. The thin but sturdy blade is inserted precisely between the second and third rib—because really a pierced lung could slow anyone down, send just about anyone into shock, he figures. Leaning in closer Nikolai can practically hear the aftershocks of impact of the stab reverberate through the slighter frame in front of him. Close enough that his breathy laughter just barely manages to tousle the hair next to Akira's ear. ]

[Akira shakes his head, raising a hand in an apologetic dismissal. He just wasn't paying attention, is all, it's not like this bland-looking salaryman completely fucking snuck up on him. He was too focused on looking for the other guy. Yeah. That's absolutely why the hairs on the back of his neck are standing on absolute end.]

[He doesn't pay attention to the stick until it's too late. The sentence you have something of mine processes on just enough of a delay that the realization dawn on him just as the word exchange leaves Gogol's lips, and the sword finds its way between his ribs. He hadn't even managed to take a full step backward, but his arms are at his sides so at least he didn't also get stabbed through his wrist?]

[Goro will hear a startled, aborted gasp of breath that gurgles in a way it definitely shouldn't after a moment, and then the laughter from Gogol is probably picked up on the wire at his ear. Akira knows better than to move as he is, so he just offers a wet little cough of sound. The briefcase drops out of a loosened grip and he makes a quiet whine when it thuds to the sidewalk.]

[Boldly, he bares his teeth to glare at the man, whether he's resumed his usual visage or remains unsuspecting. There's blood between his teeth.] Why hide, if you knew where it was? [Oh God talking hurts so fucking much.]

[ There's an attentive hum, as if he actually has to give any of it much thought. ]

Well? Actually, I have you to thank for that.

[ Now here's a trick no one would've been expecting—Nikolai doesn't even have to open the briefcase to activate his ability to slot the cane through a portal as one would onto a shelf. He can retrieve that from the location it ends up in later. Such convenience gives him time to bend down and take the brief case, to give Akira a much more animated bow, and to give a brief explanation before he has to go. ]

Because you've been a great help. Had you not walked off alone I wouldn't have gotten this opportunity. You have my sincerest gratitude.

[ The Overcoat is already waiting to embrace him from behind as he steps backwards. ]

Now, you'll likely want to call for help—

[ Because just like that Nikolai disappears. He's not overstaying his welcome this time. ]

[He just gurgles, angrily this time, but he can't actually do much else because there is blood in his fucking mouth. He's angrier at himself than he is at Nikolai, surprisingly, especially for the fact that when he tries to move forward to do-- something, he's not even sure what, at this point, he wobbles and drops to his knees.]

[Abruptly, he's aware of how warm and wet his midsection is. Oh, that's bad.]

[As a last-ditch act of defiance before Gogol slips through his portal, Akira manages to spit at him, hoping to get a little blood somewhere on him. And then he's gone, and Akira can't draw a full breath.]

[One hand goes across his chest to lay over the strangely cold spot the blood stems from, and the other taps the wire behind his ear as he pulls the first away to stare at the blood all over his palm.] ...Goro, I fucked this right up.

[Luckily, Akira hadn't gotten too far. That had been the whole point of it. For Akira to lead the target just a little further away while Akechi would stalk behind them, out of sight but not out of reach.

He's listening carefully the wire when Akira disappears from his vision. At first it seems like that they had indeed managed to spot Gogol out of the crowd, as their person of interested did look like he was following Akira for a bit -- but then ah, no. Seems like it was a wrong call. Akechi's just about to tap the wire and signal his partner about it being another dead end, but then he catches up another voice and---

That laughter.

In a heart beat Akechi's blood turns cold. Oh shit. He knows that voice. Without saying anything he immediately sprints in action, running after Akira. He pushes violently through the crowd, not caring about those around him. The only thought rushing through his mind was that Akira is in danger. The idiot would not know to be on guard. Hell, he doesn't even register Akira's pained words speaking to him through the wire.

It doesn't take more than five minutes for him to reach Akira. The red eyes are wide as plate and his face pale and wet from sweat. His stomach drops, fear twisting him from the inside and almost knocking him down when he sees Akira knelt on the pavement.

This can't be happening.]

---Akira!! [The voice rips out of him, sounding far to distant and so unlike his own. His breath frozen still in his lungs, rushes to Akira's side. Grouching down and immediately wrapping his arms around the other Persona user, holding him against his own body.] Akira! Akira---, it's me! What happened?

[He's trying to keep his breathing even, but drawing in a full breath hurts, so his breath quickens and shortens simultaneously. He's still staring at his hand, wet and shining and a far deeper red than he's used to blood being, because he's not actually sure if he's ever seen this much real blood at once before.]

[He doesn't hear Goro's thunderous approach, or the first time he calls his name, for that matter. He looks up once Goro's touched him, once he's pulling him against his body, and he tries to push away from him after a second, curling his hand closed.] 'll get blood on you, [Quietly, disoriented. He's very much in shock.]

[He vaguely recalled reading somewhere that a human being could bleed out in as little as two minutes. Letting his head drop forward to look at the steady puddle of it stemming from the left side of his midsection, the spotting at the edge of his vision sets off a warning bell that isn't unlike the alarm in the Velvet Room.] Um, he got the... the briefcase, [He manages, looking back up at Goro.] No'sure where he went. [The slurring is a bad sign.]

[Getting blood all over him is the last thing in his thoughts, at the moment. Besides, it'll hardy be his first (or last) time to clean blood off his clothes.

Once Akira is in his arms Akechi is able to see the the severity of the damage, there's a thick smell of iron in the air as the blood keeps soaking the front of Akira's shirt. Hands shaking he reaches to put pressure on the wound, helplessly trying to keep it inside.

He hears Akira's voice, but they don't really register to him. Sounding like a distant echo somewhere in the background. All he can focus on is the warm wetness staining his hand and spreading panic. He knows he needs to do something to stop this. But what can he do? Both of his Personas are screaming at him but it's no use.]

Nononono, Akira. Shut up about it. [He hushes, words tangling together.] Look at me, Akira. First we need to fix you up, got it?

Hmm'kay, [Oddly, his voice sounds small, even to his own ears. He sounds young. Fear will do that to a guy, it seems.]

[Goro's hand draws his attention back to the hole in his chest, and he angles his head to spit away from them-- it's mostly blood. He brays a startled little laugh.] Goro, [He curls toward him.] I love you, okay?

['I love you.' A phrase that Goro's heard countless times from Akira's lips. A declaration that has left him unsure and afraid before, yet also slowly nursing a small a spark within him. One that has shyly kindled into a quiet ember.

But this time, hearing those words is like throwing icy cold water on him. The fear suffocating that flame with it's presence.

Goro props Akira's body clumsily closer, desperately holding onto him as if he hoped it would somehow salvage this.]

Shut up. [He hastily hisses him, panic drumming in his ears while he tries to ignore how small and weak the other one suddenly feels in his arms.] Sarasvati. If you have enough energy to spat such nonsense summon Sarasvati, you absolute idiot. You fucking piece of shit!

[He makes an ugly gurgling sound and coughs, probably spatting a bit of blood onto Goro's shirt-- sorry, he'll wash it when he's not dying. The accusatory tone doesn't quite register, at first, his processing time slowed and extended like a really awful piece of saltwater taffy. He raises his head when he realizes he's coughed up blood onto Goro's shirt and it rolls pretty immediately on his shoulders, the sudden motion making him dizzy and leaving him a little sprawled away from Akechi a moment as he regains his bearings to the slight extent he's able.]

[Sarasvati, Goro had said. He grasps at the thought, chews on the name, and the odd restless fluttering sensation in the back of his mind ignites like gunpowder.]

[Right at first, it's Arsène who materializes above them, bathed in a bright blue translucence that fades into a solid picture slowly, his edges jolting like static. It's as if Akira is having a hard time manifesting him properly, which can never be a good thing. The Persona looks harried, wings puffing outward like a ruffled bird, before he reaches out with his right arm and makes a swiping gesture. Akira blinks slowly before mimicking the gesture, uncertain.]

[Arsène blurs and then disappears, Sarasvati in his place. Akira doesn't seem to know what to do with her, so it's lucky that she understands without prompting. With a shake of her head she extends the neck of her sitar and it glows, bathing Akira in a cool-toned green light. He makes another unfortunate gurgling sound, but the pool of blood seeping onto the sidewalk beneath him stops growing, at least. Sarasvati turns her attention to Goro, instead, even if she knows he can't command her-- was this sufficient?]

Edited 2024-05-08 18:43 (UTC)

[The sudden appearance of the blue flames summoning Arsène brings out a shriek in the people around them, making the crowd disband as they run off in shock. What a bunch of useless, good for nothings -- but Akechi is too occupied with Akira to pay attention to them. With eyes big as plates he looks up in distress at the Persona lingering above them, completely forgetting to breathe as it struggles to stay manifested in this world.

He doesn't dare say a word when Akira finally catches a gist of what he's supposed to do, switching Arsène to Sarasvati. Only after he sees the familiar green glow wash over Akira as the deity casts a healing spell upon its user he feels air flow through his lungs again. Then, without thinking any further he nods at the Persona and casts his look down at Akira. He brings bloodied hand to touch his partner's face, brushing carefully the messy bangs out of his face.

All of the suddenly Akechi finds himself missing Osamu Dazai. The man would definitely know what to do here. What to do to help.]

[Diarahan is a bizarre sensation outside of the Metaverse, Akira has decided. He can't think well as he is, but that much his exhausted brain asserts. He manages a wobbly half-smile at Goro when he stops glowing green, and starts to say as much. "It's weird in the real world, yeah?" He thinks it, wills the thought from his lips, but in a terrifying moment of full-body exhaustion, his eyes roll back and he falls entirely limp in Goro's grasp.]

[Oops? Maybe he shouldn't have waited so damn long to try healing his damn self.]

[There is a brief, quiet moment inside Goro's mind when he looks down at Akira in his arms. Out of pure reflex the corners of his lips tugs into a small, clumsy smile to match the one on Akira's face as keeps cradling the other's face. There's blood on his fingertips, smearing faint red stains on his cheek.

Huh. Funny.

This is first time he's ever found blood to be nauseating.

But then the worst happens, Akira goes limp and unresponsive. The momentary peace is gone. Bursting like balloon.]

--Hey, hey. [Goro blinks and shakes Akira in his arm, trying to wake him up.] Akira! Look at me. Look at me!

[He doesn't go cold, and he still has a pulse, if a bit fluttering. But he absolutely Does Not Respond to being shaken and shouted at. One moment, Goro, Akira.exe has encountered a problem and must stop.]

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ᴅᴀʀᴇᴅᴇᴠɪʟ, ʏᴏᴜ'ᴠᴇ ʜɪᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀʟʟ.

closed; gogol

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1/2

2/2 CW: stab

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the funniest icon possible in these circumstances

akira: thumbs up

another hilarious icon to use presently