Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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Comments

[jokey]

Then what, Kurapika? You'll recklessly through yourself into other people's problems until it gets you killed?

[revengier]

No, I won't.

[ Said with a bit more force this time. ]

I don't invest myself in the problems of others like that.

[jokey]

Then what will you do when your mission is over?

[People like Kurapika? They build their entire lives around their mission, around revenge, around a death wish. Akira's seen what waits for them at the end of their journey and he hates it.]

[revengier]

[ He shakes his head. ]

I don't know. Like I told you before, I don't have anything to go back to once I'm done.

[ With a sigh, he pulls the blankets around him tighter. Kurapika lapses into a silence, but he speaks up eventually. ]

...Ahito said something about living my life to the fullest, but I don't know what that means or what it looks like.

[jokey]

[Ahito said that? Akira owes him his thanks. Sounds like Kurapika's giving that some actual thought.

Akira leans forward, patting the bundled up Pika.]

The main thing is that you're thinking about it. The rest will fall into place. For now... think about spending time with the people you care about. The people who make you laugh and smile.

[revengier]

[ He breathes out slowly through his nose. ]

Most of those people are back home.

[ Which isn't to say that he hasn't already found people he cares about here, not when one of those people is sitting right next to him, occupying a weird space in Kurapika's heart that he can't quite define.

So he chooses instead to shift the focus a bit. He's taking Akira's words to heart here, but he doesn't want to have to think too hard on it right now. ]

Is that what you do, Akira? Spend time with the people you care about.

[ Given what he said about his powers, Kurapika would assume so. ]

[jokey]

Of course.

[Akira's tone is very well duh.]

They're the ones who make life worth living, you know? I wouldn't be the same guy if it weren't for my friends. Sure, I've got hobbies and interests that I do on my own, but people are my lifeblood.

[revengier]

[ That tone pulls a little smile out of him, something Akira can see amongst the bundle of blankets. ]

Tell me about your friends, then.

[jokey]

[Oh, Kurapika... Do you have any idea what you're asking for? Akira is a guy who isn't lacking for friends.]

I've got a lot, now that I think about it. Let's see... I met Ryuji and Ann first. Ryuji's got the whole bad boy look going on, but he's kind at heart. You couldn't ask for a better wingman. Ann's super fashionable and models in her free time. She's always keeping me up to speed on the latest trends.

[revengier]

[ Looks like his tactic worked—he's finally getting Akira to talk about things related to him. ]

A wingman and a model. I almost don't believe you.

[ Almost. ]

[jokey]

Believe it or not, it's the truth.

[Kurapika would balk if he knew all the different "relationships" Akira has fostered in the year he'd been in Yongen-Jaya.]

You said you're in the mafia, right? I know a man who's ex-Yakuza too. Pretty cool guy, but intimidating as hell.

[revengier]

[ What the hell was Akira doing to meet a model and an ex-Yakuza? That question is written on Kurapika's face in the way he raises his brows and frowns, but he decides not to voice it. ]

Is that how you spotted Kiryu's association with the Yakuza so quickly?

[jokey]

[Kurapika could literally befriend a model and an ex-yakuza if he'd just get out a little more, y'know?]

That's right. Yakuza have certain tells. They usually hide their tattoos, but you can't hide that imposing aura. Wouldn't you say it's the same for mafia types?

[revengier]

[ Could he, though? Could he? ]

It is, at least for the most part. Do you think I'm intimidating?

[ Even while bundled up like a Kuraburrito? ]

[jokey]

I mean, yeah. Have you seen your face when you're angry?

[But when he's mad, he's also kinda.................. 🫦]

But I get over that sort of thing quick.

[revengier]

[ That Akira gets over it quick isn't a shock, not at all. He goes with the flow too easily to get tripped up by someone intimidating for longer than a few moments. ]

Intimidation is simply a skill that you have to hone just like any other. I learned the exact moments I need to threaten to get what I want, and haven't had issues since.

[jokey]

Mhmm, mhmm...

[Nodding along...]

I know a thing or two about that myself, actually.

[revengier]

[ He frowns, turning his head to where he thinks Akira is. He's probably sitting right next to the bed, right? Hopefully he is. ]

You're incredibly unthreatening. Explain.

[jokey]

[He sure is! Akira expected that response, snickering and leaning back into his seat.]

Yeah, I figured you'd say that. Thing is, I don't think you'd take my word for it if I tried to explain. You'd have to see me in my element.

[revengier]

You have a habit of thinking I won't believe you.

[ As if Akira has given him reasons not to believe him. It's ridiculous, and Kurapika has no problem voicing it. ]

[jokey]

It's not that you're the issue here. It's more like... where I come from, most people wouldn't believe half the things I say without seeing them for themselves. You're the skeptical type, so I thought you'd need convincing to believe me.

[He's kind of a bullshitter, besides.]

[revengier]

[ Well, he has a good reason for that, it seems. Still, he can't help but feel a mild sense of frustration that Akira wouldn't just ask him anyway.

He sighs. ]

Akira, I'm a Conjurer. I used my own spiritual power to conjure my weapon. You don't need to convince me of much at all.

[jokey]

Alright, I get it. So if I told you I was the Phantom Thief of Hearts, you'd believe me without question?

[revengier]

[ It sounds almost ridiculous, but... ]

I will. Just tell me about it.

[ And if his shoulders tensed at the word "phantom"? Well, he can't do anything about that. ]

[jokey]

[He sees that flinch. Maybe Kurapika saw The Phantom Menace and hated it. Poor guy.]

Can you promise me you won't tell anyone else? Just knowing how my power works could enable other people to do the same, and not everyone has noble intentions.