[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.
Let's see... Japanese, obviously, and I'm learning English. A little bit of German, too.
[Sorry he hasn't taken a magnifying glass to those titties, but Akira's not looking to get zapped again any time soon. For once, he'll behave himself and not invade Solomon's bubble so soon after getting punished for it.]
There are multiple. Latin is one, yes. Hebrew, English, and Greek are used as well.
[A lot of the longer phrases aren't visible at a polite distance, though if Akira knows at least phonetic English, he could probably make out the letters that surround each of the circles that take up the entirety of Solomon's limbs.]
No Japanese, I'm afraid. I don't doubt it could be used to the same effect, given what I've seen of shrine customs, but it's not what I prefer.
[Hm. What do all those languages have in common? They share some root words, are all quite old, and are tied to both religion and magic. Naturally, Solomon isn't going to hand the answer to him on a platter, but Akira doesn't mind. He'll find his own entertainment in this little puzzle, as will Solomon, he's certain.]
Pardon my reach.
[So as not to affect Grandpa's delicate constitution, Akira gingerly scoots closer, leaning forward to get a better look at the worlds inscribed on his skin. Pardon his reach, but he needs to borrow one of Solomon's arms real quick to get a closer look.]
Let's see... These are...
[Akira's lips move in silence, reading along Solomon's skin until his eyes catch on a familiar name.
And another. And another. And another. Ose, Decarabia, Bael, Orobas... Were he to keep reading, he's certain he'd find even more familiar names, but Akira's seen enough to arrive at a conclusion.
His loose hold on Solomon's arm loosens further still.]
[Give him a break!! Is this guy a Persona user too? Akira's not getting that gut feeling, doesn't feel the hairs standing up on the back of his neck like he normally does when he's in the company of someone who shares his powers. Then again... he's been stripped of everything that made him a Wildcard to begin with, so even if Solomon is just like him, it's not like he can smell it on the guy.
Unless...
No, just kidding. Akira sighs, returning to his slump against the side of the bath.]
You could say that. [No easy hints for you either, Solomon.] So what are you, some kind of summoner commanding demons to fight on your side?
[See, there we go, Akira. Dodgy behavior is good for you.]
If you had ties, one of us would be able to sense the other the day we got here, so I know that's not going to be it.
I think most of them would be pretty offended if I said yes to that. It's not quite that simple. [While he wishes he could just summon a whole army at once, the amount of effort and bitching he'd have to put up with wouldn't quite be worth it outside extreme circumstances.] I'd call myself a sorcerer, though. Not a summoner.
[Thank fuck Shadows are only bitchy while they're being detained. Once they've accepted a place in Akira's heart, they're loyal to hell and back— quite literally. From the sounds of it, Solomon isn't quite so lucky.]
Guess we've got even more common ground, don't we? I wouldn't call myself a summoner either, but I've had a demon or two lend me their power before.
[Far more than one or two, but don't sweat the details. He's trying to be dodgy here.]
But they're not quite demons. In my world, they're called Shadows.
[The answer to that is very "yes and no," and while Akira mulls it over, he tips his head beneath the water to slick his bangs back and out of his face. What his hair and glasses obscure is a deceptively serious face... and the little wizard cutie mark taking up prime real estate smack in the middle of his forehead. Thanks mods.]
It's all interconnected. The Shadows wouldn't work on my behalf if I didn't have the strength to command them, which means the source of my power comes from something else.
[If Solomon wants the answer, he'll have to puzzle it together himself. That's only fair, no?]
So if you had to guess, where does that power come from?
[He hums quietly as he drifts over to tap a finger against that mark on his forehead. Cute spot.]
That world inside you, powered by your feelings and bonds with others, not unlike our magic here. Though I can't begin to think how literal that might be for you.
[Magic worked in strange ways like that. Hearts that became stories, curses that transported you into a world that wasn't a world, alternate timelines... why not have a power that could keep something contained in the depths of one's soul?
He lifts that finger, only to press it right beneath Akira's collarbone, the ring on his middle finger reflecting the red of the water underneath.]
Is this where you keep your stolen hearts? Or is it where you descend to steal and change them in the first place?
[Now there's a question. Akira's "destiny" was fulfilled, his tale concluded. While he's mindful who he shares such details of his life with, how he went about rewriting society at its very core is a different matter. Knowing how Mementos, the very core of society, functions... That's enough to rewrite it. That's enough to do some real, serious damage. Can he trust Solomon with the key to the heart of human consciousness itself?
In his own heart, the answer is already crystal clear. Akira's hand layers over Solomon's, warm in a way the water isn't. There's that familiar spark of connection, but it's a thin, frail thing. His magic is weak, but it won't remain that way for long.]
I wonder how you catch on so quickly? Age? Experience? It's all moot now anyway. I can't "change" people in the way I could before. My days of stealing hearts are behind me, so don't think about it too hard.
[His free hand lifts to press a finger to his own lips. Akira can keep guessing on that, it seems. Keeping his age out of the picture helped to keep the broad distance between the millenia a little closer. Or perhaps, he just likes to tell himself as much. Easier to run with a joke of mystery than to present reality on someone that wasn't quite ready for it.]
There's still a heart that beats for a purpose in that chest of yours. You wouldn't have such a fire in your words or your eyes otherwise if that cause didn't mean quite a lot to you.
[AKA his passion leaks out of every pore in the heat of the moment.
He lets his hand pull naturally under the weight of Akira's, the heat of his palm pressed against his sternum with the cool snap of the ring like the light of a star against the skin.]
Maybe you just need to find another world still unknown to you, Thief of Hearts. Don't leave yourself closed to possibility.
[What is this? Solomon's attempt to guide a wayward sheep back home? Akira would liken himself more to the wolf that goes to great lengths to blend in among the sheep, but not everyone falls for his disguise. Even the nimble wolf loses its footing sometimes, and if anyone's going to see Akira's lack of direction for what it is, it's surely Solomon.
What an interesting life. Those who don't believe in fate should really think twice. Solomon's touch is warm and grounding, a northern star shining bright in an inky black sky. Let him hold onto it for just a moment longer.]
Maybe that's why I'm here. It'd suck if I peaked this early into my life.
[He catches Solomon's gaze, smile curling at the edges.]
And what about you? Content to sit back and take on a guiding role? This could be a new start for you too.
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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.]
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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.
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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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[Sorry he hasn't taken a magnifying glass to those titties, but Akira's not looking to get zapped again any time soon. For once, he'll behave himself and not invade Solomon's bubble so soon after getting punished for it.]
So what language is it? Latin?
[Latin is the magic language.]
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[A lot of the longer phrases aren't visible at a polite distance, though if Akira knows at least phonetic English, he could probably make out the letters that surround each of the circles that take up the entirety of Solomon's limbs.]
No Japanese, I'm afraid. I don't doubt it could be used to the same effect, given what I've seen of shrine customs, but it's not what I prefer.
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Pardon my reach.
[So as not to affect Grandpa's delicate constitution, Akira gingerly scoots closer, leaning forward to get a better look at the worlds inscribed on his skin. Pardon his reach, but he needs to borrow one of Solomon's arms real quick to get a closer look.]
Let's see... These are...
[Akira's lips move in silence, reading along Solomon's skin until his eyes catch on a familiar name.
And another. And another. And another. Ose, Decarabia, Bael, Orobas... Were he to keep reading, he's certain he'd find even more familiar names, but Akira's seen enough to arrive at a conclusion.
His loose hold on Solomon's arm loosens further still.]
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[Oddly, he relaxes a little more under Akira's grip as soon as his conclusion is off his lips, letting his arm slip away easily.]
I wasn't expecting you to reach that conclusion so quickly. But I'm glad to see you did.
Did you recognize something?
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Unless...
No, just kidding. Akira sighs, returning to his slump against the side of the bath.]
You could say that. [No easy hints for you either, Solomon.] So what are you, some kind of summoner commanding demons to fight on your side?
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If you had ties, one of us would be able to sense the other the day we got here, so I know that's not going to be it.
I think most of them would be pretty offended if I said yes to that. It's not quite that simple. [While he wishes he could just summon a whole army at once, the amount of effort and bitching he'd have to put up with wouldn't quite be worth it outside extreme circumstances.] I'd call myself a sorcerer, though. Not a summoner.
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Guess we've got even more common ground, don't we? I wouldn't call myself a summoner either, but I've had a demon or two lend me their power before.
[Far more than one or two, but don't sweat the details. He's trying to be dodgy here.]
But they're not quite demons. In my world, they're called Shadows.
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Shadows, huh. Pretty generic name, but at least it fits the general vibe.]
Lend you their power, hm? Is that the same power you would usually use for those cards?
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It's all interconnected. The Shadows wouldn't work on my behalf if I didn't have the strength to command them, which means the source of my power comes from something else.
[If Solomon wants the answer, he'll have to puzzle it together himself. That's only fair, no?]
So if you had to guess, where does that power come from?
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[He hums quietly as he drifts over to tap a finger against that mark on his forehead. Cute spot.]
That world inside you, powered by your feelings and bonds with others, not unlike our magic here. Though I can't begin to think how literal that might be for you.
[Magic worked in strange ways like that. Hearts that became stories, curses that transported you into a world that wasn't a world, alternate timelines... why not have a power that could keep something contained in the depths of one's soul?
He lifts that finger, only to press it right beneath Akira's collarbone, the ring on his middle finger reflecting the red of the water underneath.]
Is this where you keep your stolen hearts? Or is it where you descend to steal and change them in the first place?
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[Now there's a question. Akira's "destiny" was fulfilled, his tale concluded. While he's mindful who he shares such details of his life with, how he went about rewriting society at its very core is a different matter. Knowing how Mementos, the very core of society, functions... That's enough to rewrite it. That's enough to do some real, serious damage. Can he trust Solomon with the key to the heart of human consciousness itself?
In his own heart, the answer is already crystal clear. Akira's hand layers over Solomon's, warm in a way the water isn't. There's that familiar spark of connection, but it's a thin, frail thing. His magic is weak, but it won't remain that way for long.]
I wonder how you catch on so quickly? Age? Experience? It's all moot now anyway. I can't "change" people in the way I could before. My days of stealing hearts are behind me, so don't think about it too hard.
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There's still a heart that beats for a purpose in that chest of yours. You wouldn't have such a fire in your words or your eyes otherwise if that cause didn't mean quite a lot to you.
[AKA his passion leaks out of every pore in the heat of the moment.
He lets his hand pull naturally under the weight of Akira's, the heat of his palm pressed against his sternum with the cool snap of the ring like the light of a star against the skin.]
Maybe you just need to find another world still unknown to you, Thief of Hearts. Don't leave yourself closed to possibility.
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What an interesting life. Those who don't believe in fate should really think twice. Solomon's touch is warm and grounding, a northern star shining bright in an inky black sky. Let him hold onto it for just a moment longer.]
Maybe that's why I'm here. It'd suck if I peaked this early into my life.
[He catches Solomon's gaze, smile curling at the edges.]
And what about you? Content to sit back and take on a guiding role? This could be a new start for you too.
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