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Apr. 18th, 2020 07:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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rpers_reprieveIf this is the afterlife, it's probably the afterlife he deserves. If is the operate word there, however, and a pretty vital one at that. This wouldn't be the first time he's been dropped into a strange new world with no clear idea of where he is or how he got there, though rather than the often surreal landscapes of the Palaces and Mementos this town seems fairly normal.
Aside from the monsters, of course, but even those creatures don't bear much resemblance to Shadows. They look more regular wildlife but twisted and wrong, half rotted in some parts, bloated with decay in others, and haphazardly mashed together with other creatures. Shadows could be bizarre and even frightening, but this is a level of disturbing Akechi has only rarely encountered.
His tricks for dealing with Shadows don't work on these things, either. They don't seem to be as intelligent, but the natural ebb and flow of combat in the Metaverse doesn't apply to them. Akechi's not one to underestimate his own abilities, but even he thinks he'll start having trouble before long - especially when there's a blizzard and he's in clothes best suited for a mild winter. His gloves haven't saved him from frostbite so much as they've delayed it, and his loafers are doing approximately nothing to keep the snow out. He's already shivering hard enough to making walking in a straight line an effort, so it won't be long before combat is out of the question.
That brings him here, to the first unlocked door he's found in this stupid town. Barging in when he's not even sure what sort of building this is or where this door leads (though he has a strong suspicion it'll open up into the back room of a shop or office, based on what he's been able to glimpse through the snow) isn't very smart - but staying out here when he's just managed to lose those monsters is flat out idiocy. He'll take his chances with yanking open the door, slipping inside, and shoving it closed behind him.
So there he is: the second generation detective prince himself, soaked, shivering, and slumped against the door with a still-bloody serrated sword in hand. Despite the clear signs of exhaustion in his body language, he's alert and focused. Anyone that comes to investigate the noise, or that's already in the room, will find there's no hesitation before Akechi turns his attention on them.
Aside from the monsters, of course, but even those creatures don't bear much resemblance to Shadows. They look more regular wildlife but twisted and wrong, half rotted in some parts, bloated with decay in others, and haphazardly mashed together with other creatures. Shadows could be bizarre and even frightening, but this is a level of disturbing Akechi has only rarely encountered.
His tricks for dealing with Shadows don't work on these things, either. They don't seem to be as intelligent, but the natural ebb and flow of combat in the Metaverse doesn't apply to them. Akechi's not one to underestimate his own abilities, but even he thinks he'll start having trouble before long - especially when there's a blizzard and he's in clothes best suited for a mild winter. His gloves haven't saved him from frostbite so much as they've delayed it, and his loafers are doing approximately nothing to keep the snow out. He's already shivering hard enough to making walking in a straight line an effort, so it won't be long before combat is out of the question.
That brings him here, to the first unlocked door he's found in this stupid town. Barging in when he's not even sure what sort of building this is or where this door leads (though he has a strong suspicion it'll open up into the back room of a shop or office, based on what he's been able to glimpse through the snow) isn't very smart - but staying out here when he's just managed to lose those monsters is flat out idiocy. He'll take his chances with yanking open the door, slipping inside, and shoving it closed behind him.
So there he is: the second generation detective prince himself, soaked, shivering, and slumped against the door with a still-bloody serrated sword in hand. Despite the clear signs of exhaustion in his body language, he's alert and focused. Anyone that comes to investigate the noise, or that's already in the room, will find there's no hesitation before Akechi turns his attention on them.
no subject
Date: 2020-04-30 05:39 am (UTC)He doesn't move to stir Akechi at all, simply closing his eyes and resting. He doesn't dare to fall asleep, lest he doom them both to freeze to death. Unlikely, but just in case.
When he's come to, Shido glances over. There's a nod at the words, and Shido gets to a stand. going for the door. When he moves to open the door, it sticks a bit, but with a solid shove of his uninjured shoulder, it swings open just enough for them to get out.
Shido doesn't hesitate to step out first, eyes scanning the environment for danger. Once he's confirmed it, he waits to hear Goro's footsteps behind him before he glances over and nods, then starts to lead them away from the house.
He might notice Shido breathing a bit heavier than usual, and it sure is interesting that that warmth is following them, isn't it?
no subject
Date: 2020-05-05 03:40 am (UTC)He doesn't miss Shido's heavier breathing, nor the fact that the odd warmth from inside seems to be following them. For a moment he wonders if it isn't some quirk of his Metaverse outfit... but he'd been freezing before, and the air still feels warm against his face. There's really only one thing that even kind of makes sense right now, and much as he hates the idea of acknowledging it he hates the idea of ignoring it even more.
"It wasn't the power keeping the shop warm, was it?"
no subject
Date: 2020-05-07 11:02 am (UTC)A bit of fear. Or perhaps even... respect. Maybe both.
With the blizzard having calmed a bit, it was possible to see more than five feet in front of them, for which Shido was grateful. He seems fairly certain of where he's going as they move forward.
The question gives a soft, amused noise.
"Can't imagine why you'd think that."
no subject
Date: 2020-05-07 02:26 pm (UTC)That answer, though... Akechi's expression darkens behind his mask, and he's glad that it's the sort of that covers his entire face. He's pretty sure he's doing a bad job of keeping the annoyance, frustration, and confusion at that answer hidden. It's obviously Shido's doing, though Akechi can't begin to imagine how, so the fact that he won't admit to it gets under Akechi's skin. He's silent for a moment before he clicks his tongue.
"If you wear yourself out, I'm not slowing down for your sake." Telling him to stop is as bad as admitting that he dislikes it, so he'll focus on the practical aspect instead.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-12 05:22 pm (UTC)"Fair enough," is all he says in response to that.
Once they actually get to the house, he opens the door to usher the teenager in. He glances around before coming inside...
And then immediately closing the door and leaning against it heavily, breathing much harder and heavier than he was moments before.
He gives an exhausted laugh, and says breathlessly to no one in particular:
"Seems I'm out of practice..."