[No one ever really moves past failing spectacularly, do they? You could save the whole world, prevent countless casualties, but the one person you failed to protect is the one that sticks with you forever.
Alas. Akira dismisses the thought with a sigh. Why spare his fuckups any thought when they regularly come to him in his dreams? He'll deal with them then, rounding the corner and propping open the bathroom door for Solomon. Grandpas get to go in first.]
Maybe losing all your magic is a fitting punishment for making a promise you can't keep. Not gonna lie, I thought that's what happened to me when I wound up here and couldn't use any of my abilities. It's like...
[Akira looks down at his empty hand, furling and unfurling his fingers, trying to grasp at the words that elude him.]
...Getting gutted, totally emptied out. When they said what they did about promises, I'd wondered if that's why that world inside of me had suddenly disappeared.
Going from the roar of the ocean to a dripping faucet isn't exactly something I want to repeat, either. It's hard to feel that part of yourself suddenly vanish.
[Don't mind him just dropping his towel off to the side for a moment as he goes to inspect the bath enchantment. Might as well get the temperature running.]
I'm glad you seem to have gotten a little more perspective, though... what do you mean by "a world inside of you"?
[The roar of the ocean, huh? Akira had likened the contents of his own soul to the sea, vast and deep and dark, his potential just as limitless. Maybe it's no different for Solomon. Waking to the sound of silence in place of crashing waves is disconcerting to say the least, but there's some comfort to be found in knowing he isn't alone.
While Solomon prepares the bath, Akira works himself out of layers of gaudy ballroom attire. It's a shame he didn't get to strut around like a peacock, but his chance will inevitably come again, and when it does, good fucking luck everyone.]
I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
[Come to think of it, he's never confided in anyone regarding his nature as a Wildcard. There was no one he could confide in, leaving his troubles to the wayside so his comrades and friends never had to worry about their leader crumbling.
It can't hurt to have a confidant, can it? He won't dodge Solomon's question, but for context, he'll need to first ask one of his own.]
Everyone I care about has a special place in my heart, but would you believe me if I told you that's more than just a metaphor? What do bonds mean to you, Solomon?
[Oh? Here he was bracing for Akira to keep up that little joke and maintain his secrecy.
He's not making any movement to get undressed quite yet, though he does at least slip his shoes off as he casts a simple enchantment to get the warmth going. Not too hot, because grandpa is a delicate little flower.]
It depends what sort you mean, of course. They're extremely important in magic for a reason.
But I think a true bond - one with care in mind, with someone who matters a lot to you - those are a blessing. Something to be cherished for as long as you can.
Feelings are the most powerful thing we have, after all.
[Oh grandpa... just wait until Akira gets his hands on that bathwater. If Solomon was allowed to almost kill him with his cooking, Akira's allowed to practice his magic on the bathwater they're both about to steep themselves in.
Clothes neatly folded and put away, Akira wraps a towel around his waist and pads over to the bath proper. Taking a knee, he dips his hand in the water to gauge the temperature. Damn, lukewarm at best. Solomon really is a delicate little flower.]
I agree with you completely. The source of my power came from those bonds I forged. I thought I'd done my time, but now it looks like I'm starting all over.
[With a flick of his wrist and an incantation, Akira produces a glowing card and offers it to Solomon.]
But that's fine with me. I'm not the only fool starting his journey all over again. Take this.
[Now go get naked so he can fuck with the bathwater while you're not looking.]
[Starting his journey, a power that forms from bonds... how uncanny. It looks like the teen has a flair for the theatrical as well. A little dramatic, but he remembers being that way when he was a child, when the wonder of it still felt new.
Solomon takes the card delicately between two of his fingers, lifting up to his feet to see the face -- ah, he recognizes this motif. The good old Fool.]
A Major Arcana, hm? [He lifts the card into the air, letting it levitate in a gentle spin as he shrugs his coat off. His back is turned, Akira, you have full reign to act quickly.] A bit overdone, but you can't go too wrong with a classic.
[Akira's incantation plays along his lips, silent save for the quietest of whispers while Solomon's back is turned. The water shudders in response, undulates and swirls and dyes itself a deep, ethereal red. Well, that could've turned out worse, couldn't it?
Akira dips a foot in the water and marvels as it tingles, warm and cool at the same time but not at all unpleasant. While grandpa undresses, Akira sets his towel aside and lowers himself into the water, marveling at his own handiwork. Solomon had better be impressed.]
Call it a hunch or maybe an educated guess. You deflect whenever the subject shifts to you, but I know you've lived an interesting life. You've got that air about you.
[But the real answer goes unsaid while Akira takes his time picking at Solomon: We're a lot alike, aren't we? I wonder what your trials were like.]
[The statement walks the thin line between playful and foreboding, a quiet and deep path to his voice. But he doesn't stop what he's doing, pausing only to make sure they have no extra company.
Off comes the belt and one of the rings, though the one on his middle finger stays put. With a deep inhale, he tucks his fingers under the fabric of his turtleneck, stripping it up and off and letting his bare skin breathe in the humid air.
[That fine line is like catnip to someone like Akira. Does Solomon think that will give Akira pause even for a moment? That, and he very much doubts Solomon is unaware of the hold he has on Akira. Surely that means he's aware of the consequences here?
Akira turns, primed to say as much, but... ah. Those tattoos. His immediate thought is that this man has ties to the Yakuza, maybe even the mafia, but they're not the tribal marks and ornate dragons a member of the Yakuza would brand into their skin. They're rather occult, which is fitting for a wizard, but even that explanation isn't quite enough.]
...Yeah. I call bullshit on that.
[Pardon the stare, but he wants Solomon to know that he sees the intricate marks all over his bare chest and doesn't believe for a second that he doesn't have one hell of a story to tell. He'd best believe Akira isn't letting him go until he hears it.]
[He takes note of the stare out of the corner of his eye, then the color of the water, his smile quirking slightly as he turns fully away to remove the rest of his clothing. They don't stop at his chest - over his back, shoulders, down his entire abdomen, pelvis, his legs and arms...]
In a way. I'm afraid they're just for show right now.
[The towel comes to the rescue, Solomon wrapping it just snug enough as he grabs the Arcana card and places it with the rest of his belongings. No need to spoil that.
With that, he strolls over to the deep red pool that is now their bath. He can sense that magic of yours, sir, like coffee on a morning breeze.]
Very good. I hope you made sure not to make us look like another horrible accident if we sit in here too long?
[Not that that's going to stop him from stepping right in, a mild start shooting up his back at the unexpected heat. Ah, he changed the temperature, too... that's unfortunate.
The red around Solomon dissipates slightly at his own incantation, a temporary cooling so that he can adjust as he removes his towel and settles in. Think the river from prince of egypt, that kind of vibes.]
Are your cards related to yours? [A tilt of his head against the back of the bath, inquisitive.] It's not often I get a token from another magic user.
["In a way," huh? So cryptic... but what did Akira expect Solomon to say? The outright truth? Not even for a second.
As if that could possibly discourage Akira. If Solomon isn't going to forbid him from staring, then he's going to keep on staring, studying the stories written out all over his bare skin. It's like reading a novel in English, the context meaning more to Akira than the words themselves. The only problem is that Solomon is refusing to give him that context.
Fine. Refuse all you like, old man. You won't win this game.]
What's the harm? They'll just think you came back to finish the job.
[Solomon answered his own question rather flippantly, so Akira returns the favor, scooting forward to he can squint at the intricate tattoo marking the front of Solomon's chest.]
Maybe, maybe not. More importantly, what's this one mean?
[He plants his palm on Solomon's sternum like he owns it (19). Spit it out or he's never taking his hand off these tits.]
[Fine with Akira. He had no plans to move his hand anyway. In fact, he's going to be nice and obedient and move his hand off of that big scary seal... and onto Solomon's left pectoral. There. Crisis averted, yeah?]
Cool. And what about these words here? What do these mean?
[Does he need to squeeze grandpa's titty to get an actual answer? The dice say yes (15). Honk honk, spit it out.]
[Akira calmly, ever so calmly, sits himself back down... and strikes, grabbing Solomon by the nip and twisting hard (20). Don't call it revenge. Call it vengeance.]
[Did he expect Solomon to retaliate? Certainly, but kneeing him in the Kurusu family jewels was not as expected. Now he's once again nauseous thanks to Solomon, but there's no way in hell Akira's dragging his sorry ass to a healer and asking for help with this one.
Excuse him while he drags his soul back into his body. It didn't hurt that bad (19), but lesson learned.]
Don't "dialogue" me. You're the one expecting me to spill my guts while you won't say a single word about yourself. Do you think I'll judge you, or is coming off as cryptic and mysterious really that important to you?
[Poor, poor Jii-chan! Look how much he suffers. Someone bring him his fainting chair and a box of tissues, because it won't be Akira. He will, however, chant his incantation and lower the temperature of the water a bit. Grandpa's giving boiled crayfish energy over there.]
You're not cute when you pout. Not at all.
[If Akira's lying, he sure doesn't sound like it. But he does lift a hand from the water to pat poor Solomon's head.]
Can you blame me for being curious? You're a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a... [fuckboy] ...You get the point, but I won't force you to talk. I'll just gaze at you admiringly from afar.
[He laughs a little at the smooth little flirtation, the water rippling at the exhale he gives out the nose. As the water temperature shifts, Solomon eases himself back up with a relieved tilt of his head.]
On the contrary. Curiosity makes for a strong sorcerer.
I can be cross at you for deciding to resort to unnecessary force so quickly. [Like, the flirting and even the touching was whatever, but groping???] I'd have to really wonder about your character if that's how you normally choose to solve problems.
[heeheeheeheehee
Giggling aside, his humor fades a bit as he pools up water in his hands to wet his hair down.]
You're bright, Akira. You can ask what you think you need to know. [He might not choose to answer, but that's not within Akira's control.]
[He can't help it? People like Solomon just get under his skin? Akira has the excuse of youthful reckless abandon on his side, but even that doesn't fully explain his decision to go ham on that poor nipple. Whatever his reasons, Solomon doesn't need to hear it.
Akira leans back against the wall of the bath, knitting his arms behind his head.]
That's your right. I should've gone easier on someone who can't even tolerate a hot bath.
[Hehe. Anyway...]
But I really am curious about the tats. Your whole body is covered in them. That's a lot of ink for someone relatively young.
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Alas. Akira dismisses the thought with a sigh. Why spare his fuckups any thought when they regularly come to him in his dreams? He'll deal with them then, rounding the corner and propping open the bathroom door for Solomon. Grandpas get to go in first.]
Maybe losing all your magic is a fitting punishment for making a promise you can't keep. Not gonna lie, I thought that's what happened to me when I wound up here and couldn't use any of my abilities. It's like...
[Akira looks down at his empty hand, furling and unfurling his fingers, trying to grasp at the words that elude him.]
...Getting gutted, totally emptied out. When they said what they did about promises, I'd wondered if that's why that world inside of me had suddenly disappeared.
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Going from the roar of the ocean to a dripping faucet isn't exactly something I want to repeat, either. It's hard to feel that part of yourself suddenly vanish.
[Don't mind him just dropping his towel off to the side for a moment as he goes to inspect the bath enchantment. Might as well get the temperature running.]
I'm glad you seem to have gotten a little more perspective, though... what do you mean by "a world inside of you"?
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While Solomon prepares the bath, Akira works himself out of layers of gaudy ballroom attire. It's a shame he didn't get to strut around like a peacock, but his chance will inevitably come again, and when it does, good fucking luck everyone.]
I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.
[Come to think of it, he's never confided in anyone regarding his nature as a Wildcard. There was no one he could confide in, leaving his troubles to the wayside so his comrades and friends never had to worry about their leader crumbling.
It can't hurt to have a confidant, can it? He won't dodge Solomon's question, but for context, he'll need to first ask one of his own.]
Everyone I care about has a special place in my heart, but would you believe me if I told you that's more than just a metaphor? What do bonds mean to you, Solomon?
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He's not making any movement to get undressed quite yet, though he does at least slip his shoes off as he casts a simple enchantment to get the warmth going. Not too hot, because grandpa is a delicate little flower.]
It depends what sort you mean, of course. They're extremely important in magic for a reason.
But I think a true bond - one with care in mind, with someone who matters a lot to you - those are a blessing. Something to be cherished for as long as you can.
Feelings are the most powerful thing we have, after all.
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Clothes neatly folded and put away, Akira wraps a towel around his waist and pads over to the bath proper. Taking a knee, he dips his hand in the water to gauge the temperature. Damn, lukewarm at best. Solomon really is a delicate little flower.]
I agree with you completely. The source of my power came from those bonds I forged. I thought I'd done my time, but now it looks like I'm starting all over.
[With a flick of his wrist and an incantation, Akira produces a glowing card and offers it to Solomon.]
But that's fine with me. I'm not the only fool starting his journey all over again. Take this.
[Now go get naked so he can fuck with the bathwater while you're not looking.]
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Solomon takes the card delicately between two of his fingers, lifting up to his feet to see the face -- ah, he recognizes this motif. The good old Fool.]
A Major Arcana, hm? [He lifts the card into the air, letting it levitate in a gentle spin as he shrugs his coat off. His back is turned, Akira, you have full reign to act quickly.] A bit overdone, but you can't go too wrong with a classic.
Why designate that for me, though?
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Akira dips a foot in the water and marvels as it tingles, warm and cool at the same time but not at all unpleasant. While grandpa undresses, Akira sets his towel aside and lowers himself into the water, marveling at his own handiwork. Solomon had better be impressed.]
Call it a hunch or maybe an educated guess. You deflect whenever the subject shifts to you, but I know you've lived an interesting life. You've got that air about you.
[But the real answer goes unsaid while Akira takes his time picking at Solomon: We're a lot alike, aren't we? I wonder what your trials were like.]
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[The statement walks the thin line between playful and foreboding, a quiet and deep path to his voice. But he doesn't stop what he's doing, pausing only to make sure they have no extra company.
Off comes the belt and one of the rings, though the one on his middle finger stays put. With a deep inhale, he tucks his fingers under the fabric of his turtleneck, stripping it up and off and letting his bare skin breathe in the humid air.
It's immediately apparent why this man is seemingly allergic to showing any skin.]
Maybe my life simply has nothing interesting to share.
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Akira turns, primed to say as much, but... ah. Those tattoos. His immediate thought is that this man has ties to the Yakuza, maybe even the mafia, but they're not the tribal marks and ornate dragons a member of the Yakuza would brand into their skin. They're rather occult, which is fitting for a wizard, but even that explanation isn't quite enough.]
...Yeah. I call bullshit on that.
[Pardon the stare, but he wants Solomon to know that he sees the intricate marks all over his bare chest and doesn't believe for a second that he doesn't have one hell of a story to tell. He'd best believe Akira isn't letting him go until he hears it.]
Are those related to your magic?
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In a way. I'm afraid they're just for show right now.
[The towel comes to the rescue, Solomon wrapping it just snug enough as he grabs the Arcana card and places it with the rest of his belongings. No need to spoil that.
With that, he strolls over to the deep red pool that is now their bath. He can sense that magic of yours, sir, like coffee on a morning breeze.]
Very good. I hope you made sure not to make us look like another horrible accident if we sit in here too long?
[Not that that's going to stop him from stepping right in, a mild start shooting up his back at the unexpected heat. Ah, he changed the temperature, too... that's unfortunate.
The red around Solomon dissipates slightly at his own incantation, a temporary cooling so that he can adjust as he removes his towel and settles in. Think the river from prince of egypt, that kind of vibes.]
Are your cards related to yours? [A tilt of his head against the back of the bath, inquisitive.] It's not often I get a token from another magic user.
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As if that could possibly discourage Akira. If Solomon isn't going to forbid him from staring, then he's going to keep on staring, studying the stories written out all over his bare skin. It's like reading a novel in English, the context meaning more to Akira than the words themselves. The only problem is that Solomon is refusing to give him that context.
Fine. Refuse all you like, old man. You won't win this game.]
What's the harm? They'll just think you came back to finish the job.
[Solomon answered his own question rather flippantly, so Akira returns the favor, scooting forward to he can squint at the intricate tattoo marking the front of Solomon's chest.]
Maybe, maybe not. More importantly, what's this one mean?
[He plants his palm on Solomon's sternum like he owns it (19). Spit it out or he's never taking his hand off these tits.]
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[Oh and well I guess. This is happening. Geez this sure is forward. But at least it's not as bad as Asmodeus.
Solomon sighs, placing a hand against Akira's wrist but not bothering to pull it off (15).]
Must you... [Please, Akira, this love wasn't meant to be... kabedoning under the light of the bathouse... his poor fragile elderly heart.]
Don't touch seals so carelessly. You're lucky it's just a pentacle and not something more destructive.
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Cool. And what about these words here? What do these mean?
[Does he need to squeeze grandpa's titty to get an actual answer? The dice say yes (15). Honk honk, spit it out.]
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Does he put up with this?
Nope. (tails)
Hope Akira likes getting shocked. Just a little shock. As a treat. (9)]
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[Solomon didn't have to zap him! He really didn't!! Akira jerks back and nearly lurches right out of the bath. This saucy old man...!!]
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[Akira calmly, ever so calmly, sits himself back down... and strikes, grabbing Solomon by the nip and twisting hard (20). Don't call it revenge. Call it vengeance.]
1/2
anyway because he rolled a fucking 4 that sure is him yelping--]
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Anyway up comes his leg to knee Akira in the jewels. Brave of Akira to do this while they're both naked.]
Dialogue, Akira.
I will leave if you do that again.
1/2
Excuse him while he drags his soul back into his body. It didn't hurt that bad (19), but lesson learned.]
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Right now I just think you might find some other part of my body to try and pull off no matter how I choose to answer.
[God, his chest aches now, and the water's way too warm. Ugh.
He sinks down into the water up to his nose in a faux attempt at a pout, brassy eyes looking so, so very hurt.]
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You're not cute when you pout. Not at all.
[If Akira's lying, he sure doesn't sound like it. But he does lift a hand from the water to pat poor Solomon's head.]
Can you blame me for being curious? You're a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a... [fuckboy] ...You get the point, but I won't force you to talk. I'll just gaze at you admiringly from afar.
[You know, like 🥺🙏]
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On the contrary. Curiosity makes for a strong sorcerer.
I can be cross at you for deciding to resort to unnecessary force so quickly. [Like, the flirting and even the touching was whatever, but groping???] I'd have to really wonder about your character if that's how you normally choose to solve problems.
[heeheeheeheehee
Giggling aside, his humor fades a bit as he pools up water in his hands to wet his hair down.]
You're bright, Akira. You can ask what you think you need to know. [He might not choose to answer, but that's not within Akira's control.]
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Akira leans back against the wall of the bath, knitting his arms behind his head.]
That's your right. I should've gone easier on someone who can't even tolerate a hot bath.
[Hehe. Anyway...]
But I really am curious about the tats. Your whole body is covered in them. That's a lot of ink for someone relatively young.
[How old is Jii-chan, really?]
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[Tats? Ink?
Ahhhh, this is hip kid lingo. Okay, okay, he thinks he can connect the dots.
He brushes his wet bangs away from his face.]
That might be because they aren't tattoos. [He figures Akira knows that much, but he might as well give the kid something to chew on.]
What languages can you read, Akira?
[If it's just Japanese, then that would explain why he isn't connecting more dots.]
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