[open] - may catch-all

[murderingjustice]

Who: Akechi & You
Where: here and there
What: your typical catch-all log for may!
Warnings: references to violence, guns? Akechi's dramatic ass?



1 - Early morning

[It's very early in the morning when a series of loud sounds of a gun firing can be heard at the Orchards. Some people wake up and go for a jog as a first thing in the morning: Akechi, however, decides to use his time to do some shooting practice with his handgun. He's gathered empty cans and bottles and what have you, placed them on top of the fence, using them as his makeshift targets for his practice.

He's located rather close to the infamous statues. And whoever decides to approach them will notice that two of the statues have taken a quite bit of damage. There's almost completely demolished statue on top of platform reading: "Goro Akechi, the Saviour of the Aldrip". The another statue that has gone through some remodeling is the one belonging certain Osamu Dazai. The said statue is actually in pretty OK condition, if you didn't count on the missing head.

Oh well! If that certain Radio Show is to be believed the locals would repair the statues the next day so, who cares.]



2 - It's Called Fashion

[One thing that modern people take granted for is a wardrobe of clean clothes. It had been February in Akechi's world when he had arrived here, leaving him with rather ill-suited outfit for Aldrip's climate. So, he's slowly been collecting himself a new set of clothes after getting paid for helping around the locals with their matters... Matters, which often seemed require someone to do some light, casual "detective" work for them.

With a thermos full of fresh coffee in hand, Akechi's going through the shops at the downtown, checking out the clothing available and hoping to find something that did not scream late 19th Century couture. It's just then when his eyes land on rather... eerily familiar outfit on display window]

--What?! [He lets out an involuntary shriek and drops the thermos, spilling coffee on the ground. His eyes are wide and perplexed, faint shade of red spreading over his face. Look, he's not embarrassed. Just shocked that's all.]


3 - Leopard Can't Change Its Spots


[So.. Goro Akechi had been very satisfied to bury the famous Detective Prince and leave that line of work behind him. And yet, here he was, accepting work from the locals and helping with their everyday troubles. Their issues hardly hold a candle to the crimes he'd solve back in his own world. After all, he had been more familiar with the uglier side of society and working with the violent crimes. (Okay, he might've been the true perpetrator in most of those but shhh..)

But still, the work kept him busy and it'd be to lie that he didn't find any satisfaction solving the cases. No matter how mundane they were.

He's currently sitting in one of the coffee shops, a fresh cup of coffee in front of him and going through the notes about the current case he's working on. Something about local jewelry shopkeeper finding that some of his products were missing and replaced with replicas of sorts. Akechi honestly suspected that it was the nephew he kept as a worker there behind the crime but so far there wasn't any solid proof.]


Wildcard Got something in your mind? Leave me a top level, Akechi can really be found around all around Aldrip! downtown, forest, cave, windmills etc. for plotting reach me via discord & pm.

Comments

[orphne]

Ooh, I didn't know he was a barista. He only told me he made curry. Have you had it before? He showed me how to make it once.

[She's not flexing on him, she's simply sharing a fact. Anyway, she moves further into the shop, not wanting to lead him straight toward the uniform just in case.] Anyway, if you had to keep an eye on trades in the modern world, I'm sure you've also picked up the trends here, right?

[Waving a hand, she beckons him closer as if to share a secret.] I'm gonna probably modify some of this clothing anyway. You know, personalize it. I just don't want to get in trouble for standing out too much.

[murderingjustice]

Yes, the cafe he used to live in also served curry. He's good but his skills are no match to owner of the said place. [Look, he can't praise Akira too much!! Must keep the boy humble.

Akechi reaches out to hold the door for her as she wanders in, respect women and all that jazz, right. He's idly looking at the clothes in racks. The old-fashioned yet very varied selection makes him think back to that one second-hand store in Kichijoji.]

Hm? [He leans in closer and huffs in amusement. ] I honestly don't think any of the locals will mind. We are set out to be different already, so standing out is almost given in this place.

[orphne]

Oh yeah?

[Methinks the detective doth protest too much. She hums when he says they're meant to stand out, bouncing over to the front of the shop.]

What about this, then? Doesn't it look like something from a movie?

[Yeah, she's pointing to the white uniform in the window with another sparkle in her eye as she glances back.]

Weren't you called the Detective Prince? It'd be perfect for you.

[She's joking, but also, hm? Is this what he'd been shrieking about?]

[murderingjustice]

[Of course it's in his luck that Kotone decides to single out his outfit. But then again, she's right. It's not something you'd see everyday, making it to stick out like a sore thumb. He sighs and places hand on his hip, assuming his signature gay pose.]

Maybe. But that is too flashy for a detective, Shiomi-san. We're not exactly known for such bold outfits.

But why don't you try it out?

[orphne]

Hmmm... Maybe I will!

[She winks at him, even as she waves for a store attendant to ask if she can take the uniform off the mannequin. The material doesn't actually feel as heavy-duty as she might expect from such a formal-looking jacket? Honestly, it looks like fun.

She will absolutely try it on for herself, though, shrugging the jacket on first. It's far too broad in the shoulders for her, and the sleeves overhang her hands as she strikes a pose like a Featherman character.]

Do I look like a Phantom Thief?

[murderingjustice]

[Okay, what the actual fuck.

The jacket doesn't look too bad on her despite being few sizes too big, but still Akechi can't help but laugh when she assumes the pose. Thank god Phantom Thieves were self-aware most of the times for silly antics like that.]

Haha. Maybe a little, here. [He chuckles and steps closer, gesturing her to lift her arm to the left more and place another one close to her chest.] Now, just lift your chin up a little and pose.

[orphne]

[She giggles a little when he chuckles, giving him a bright smile. It's nice to see him relax for once, especially in the aftermath of Everything, reassuring that no matter how bad things might get, they could still get better with enough time and effort. Following his lead, she tightens up her pose and lifts her chin authoritatively, channeling all the righteous power her more Justice-oriented Personas granted.]

Do you have a catchphrase? Like... I'll solve the case to your heart!!

[She is cringe, but she is free.]

[murderingjustice]

[For better or worse: this is what a friendship with Goro Akechi is like. A lot of bad and difficult times, and then occasionally something good and less serious on the side. So, bless everyone who has patience to deal with him and his disastrous ass. So, considering all of that, Kotone's already reached a milestone.]

Oh, pffft. [He laughs again, shaking his head. There's a wide grin on his face as he watches her perform his previous pose.] Heavens no. I'm pretty sure that none of the actual Phantom Thieves do either. Each calling card was very personal and unique to match the crimes of their recipients.

I'll let you in a secret. The thieves weren't all that organized with their heists. It's almost a miracle that they succeeded so well as they did.

[chemex]

You're just jealous that Makoto was a better strategist than you,

[His voice comes out of seemingly nowhere, and the rest of him follows, slinking into the midst with his hands in his pockets and a mild grin on his face. The grin fades into startled confusion when he looks at Kotone, and he looks from her to Akechi and back a time or two.]

[Luckily for Akechi, he doesn't immediately blow his cover, but the unspoken question is clear on his face: Why is Kotone in your Metaverse Lies costume.]

[orphne]

Hmm... sounds like a missed opportunity.

[Not having a unique catchphrase, that is. She switches the positions of her hands, trying for a more dramatic sweep. The weird metal bits on the shoulders are kind of heavy, but it's not the weirdest outfit she's ever worn in the Metaverse, so could be worse.

Her smile widens in delight at the sight of Akira, though she glances back at Akechi. Makoto's not a name she's heard before, and she's curious to see how he takes the direct insult.]

[murderingjustice]

[The sound of Akira's voice interrupting them makes Akechi close his eyes and quickly count to three in his mind before turning around. Of course he has to be here.]

Please. [He scoffs lightly and gives a small shrug. There's still hint of amusement in his voice despite the direct jab at his skill.] Your team would have been hopeless in the Casino if it wasn't for me.

[Remember the bullshit he pulled off with the coins?? Anyway! Akira's questioning look is only met with equally curious quirk of a brow. Bro, he's just as confused about this as you are.]

[chemex]

[Punctual at the absolute worst of moments, as always. A proper Gentleman Thief.]

[Anyway, he nods to both of them, settling his weight on his heels with his hands still in his pockets and meeting Goro's quirked brow with a frown.] Maybe by your standards. By our own, we'd have done just fine, outside of your weird Mathematic Olympiad moment.

[Extracting one hand from his pocket, he jerks his thumb toward Kotone, asking the question and then smiling at her to specify that he isn't finding fault with her for this.] Any particular reason she's in your cheesy Prince Charming costume?

[orphne]

Oh, it's yours, Akechi-san?

[Her eyes open wide in faux-astonishment -- though the tone of her voice and the sparkle in her eye hint that yeah, she been knew. A conspiratorial glance toward Akira, then she innocently continues,] Oh, so was this your Phantom Thief pose, then?

[And hup! She does it again, but this time lifts one foot up in the air to accentuate the pose and make it even sillier.]

[murderingjustice]

Sae-san's shadow would have wiped the floor with you.

[He counters, keeping the banter between them light enough. But then he pulls a frustrated face when Akira goes and outs him. Thank you very much. See if he's ever going to kiss you again now!!

Anyway, his face just gets longer when Kotone strikes another pose. Ugh, now you've both ruined it. But! He refuses to be embarrassed!]

I told you, I'm not a Phantom Thief. [groan directed at Kotone. Ok, a half lie there. Then he turns to Akira and tosses the half empty thermos at him.] And we don't know why it's here. Don't you find it suspicious, though?

[chemex]

Hmm, I might not have minded that too much, she was pretty hot. [He is absolutely doing this on purpose.]

[His grin is briefly apologetic when Akechi's expression tells him he didn't want Kotone to know the costume was his, but he shrugs gently.] You don't have to have considered yourself one-- Violet doesn't, overmuch, either. As the Leader, however, I firmly believe Once a Thief, Always a Thief.

[Looking Kotone back over, he shrugs one shoulder.] Is there any reason for this place to find it relevant? It'd have to be specific to you, or this costume, since none of the rest of them have shown up yet.

[orphne]

[A person's Shadow? Right, that's something they'd had to fight, wasn't it? It's still such a strange concept to her, but in the middle of a clothing store isn't the time nor the place to really get into the whole thing. For now, she just adjusts the jacket to fit it more comfortably, fiddling with the too-long cuffs.]

My naginata showed up here, [she mentions, resting her hand on her hip in another mirror of one of Akechi's poses.] And a photograph of my team. I don't know why.

This is the first thing of yours that's turned up?

[murderingjustice]

I see. I'll keep that in mind and be sure to let you be demolished by the next dominatrix monster. [Since there are so many of them. What is even their lives rip?

His eyes narrow a bit at Kotone's new pose. Oh yeah, he absolutely recognizes that and can't help but feel like he's being mocked now. But then she raises a point that makes him think.

He had come across the exactly same model gun that he used in the real world. He had thought it to be strange, especially since the locals weren't familiar with, but hadn't linked it to himself before. He had assumed one of the Chosen ones had brought it and misplaced it in accident.]

They did? How curious. [He hums and rubs his chin thoughtfully. He clearly needs to investigate more. But!! Before that there's something else they need to do. He turns to look at Akira, a small mischievous gleam in his eyes.]

Let us see if we can find a black leather coat for her to wear. Then you can show her just how the leader of the Phantom Thieves acts.