Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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Comments

[jokey]

You mean the mood ring actually works?

[That's a first. It's a shame Solomon isn't wearing it, because truly, Akira would love nothing more than to understand what this man is thinking and feeling at a glance. Unfortunately, part of his charm is also that mysterious air about him, so Akira can live without him wearing the mood ring.

Still... Hm. Recontextualizing the mood ring, eh? Akira already has an idea in mind.]

Sounds like a plan. And what will my reward be for a job well done?

[impacter]

Allegedly. If you have doubts, you'll have to figure that out for yourself.

[Do some testing, see if it's temperature based or if it really is off your mood! (Hint: yes it is off mood.)]

You'll find out. If you show promise, maybe I'll let you ask me something you're truly dying to know.

[jokey]

"Maybe"?

[He isn't hinging his decisions off of maybes here, Solomon. Akira leans in, looking Solomon in the eye.]

I'm not asking you to make any promises, but I want a guarantee that you'll answer my question. You've teased me enough.

[But at the same time, not nearly enough. Never stop teasing him.]

[impacter]

I will give you a guarantee if you can manage what I've requested. Until then, you'll have to practice some patience.

[Very, very hard for a teenager, yes, he knows.]

[jokey]

Come onnnn. You're so annoying.

[Throw him a bone here! Patience, his ass. He'll stubbornly work at this assignment until he nails it and that's all that matters. Who needs patience when you have persistence?

Speaking of impatient, Akira doesn't so much as warn Solomon before promptly standing up and exiting the bath. Mind your eyes! Akira swipes his towel off the floor and pads over to his clothing.]

Fine. I'll get started on it right away, but don't forget that favor you owe me.

[???]

[impacter]

[The complaints he was expecting, and the sudden departure gets surprise, but not much else other than a look of slight disappointment. He's been around long enough to see worse than this, Akira's fine.]

Mm? What favor?

[jokey]

[Soak in the water any longer and he'll start to prune. If Solomon isn't ready to head out, Akira will wait for him. You know, because he's patient like that.]

A dance. I planned on asking for one before your cooking knocked me out.

[impacter]

Ah, I see. [With him, huh.] You did lose out on a lot of socializing, didn't you...?

I'd be happy to, Akira. Just give me a time and a date.

[jokey]

[Doing his best Solomon impression, Akira swoons and sighs and hangs his head. Poor, poor him, missing out on all that fun and schmoozing... with this man in particular.]

Tomorrow evening work for you? I've got a full day planned, but I can pencil you in for a late night dance sesh.

[impacter]

[He giggles, the same light sound as when they'd first met.]

I can free up some time if it's meaningful to you. [He pushes himself up from the water, not minding much for his modesty as he lazily reaches for his towel, shaking out his hair before draping it around his hips.] Would you like me to come get you, or should I meet you somewhere else?

[jokey]

I'd like if you'd come pick me up. That way it feels like a proper date.

[Akira leaves himself dressed only in his slacks for now. When he's about to head back to his room and rot in bed for the next several hours, he's not going to bother pulling on the other 87 layers of his ballroom attire. He'll save that for tomorrow— and for Solomon.]

[impacter]

Then I guess we can call it a date.

[Don't mind grandpa, he's gotta actually get most of his clothes back on. No need to flash his little black book of demons to the rest of the manor.]

I would offer my number, but it looks like my coverage doesn't extend quite this far across worlds.

[He pauses as he lifts his coat, carefully holding the Fool card in one hand while the other pinches a mood ring by the band, holding it up between his thumb and forefinger as though it's a delicate flower.]

Your assignment. Take your time with it.

[jokey]

Sounds like a plan. If you're late, I'll dock points from your score.

[From what score, you may wonder... Don't worry about it.

Akira holds out his hand palmside up to accept the ring. He'll be fiddling with it first thing in the morning, but in the meantime, it's time to catch up on his beauty sleep.]

I'll do my best. Catch you later, Solomon.

[He didn't call him old man...! This is progress.

After they go their separate ways, Akira spends the bulk of the following day working away at various spells and enchantments, but he's not so gung ho that he's neglected to pace himself. He'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with plenty of progress to report by the time evening rolls around and Solomon comes to collect him. That said, Akira's waiting for him in his room.]

[impacter]

[Sometime during the day, Akira may hear something akin to an explosion from further up the building. Golly, I wonder what that was.

As the sun starts to set, Akira will get a polite knocking on his door. He's grabbed a slightly different jacket but otherwise has kept to his very boring black on black.

He looks a lot more worn than the previous night. But he still offers a pleasant smile when the door opens.]

Ready to go?

[jokey]

[Akira hears knocking at the door and comes scuttling over dressed immaculately, unlike a certain someone.]

Did that explosion nuke your sense of style too?

[Well, whatever. Solomon is still hot even dressed in relatively unassuming attire. Slipping the door closed behind him, Akira takes Solomon's arm. You are not going to rob him of a proper ballroom experience, sir.]

Let's. Lead the way, king.

[impacter]

[Oh buddy, you'll have to do better than that. Asmo destroys his sense of style on a daily basis.]

Hahah.... I didn't have the energy to clean up my other suit in time, unfortunately. I suppose you'll have to outshine me for tonight. [He'll put his free hand against Akira's arm with a light little pat as he leads them down the hall.]

Would you like to go out to the courtyard, or did you have another destination in mind for this little dance of ours?

[jokey]

Dancing in the courtyard...?

[Ah. Akira isn't what you'd call shy, but... there's a time and place for standing out, you know? Akira turns his face away from Solomon, suddenly very invested in studying the floor.]

Are you that much of a showoff?

[When in doubt, deflect!]

[impacter]

It's an open space with a good view. An audience isn't my concern.

[Aw. Is this bashfulness genuine?]

I could always bring you to the rooftops instead.

[jokey]

[It is, unfortunately for Akira. If Solomon's eyes are keen, he might notice Akira's habit of tugging on the ends of his bangs when he's embarrassed or otherwise out of his element. The suggestion of dancing on the roof, however, excites him enough to forget about his embarrassment for a minute. Heights! How exciting.]

Yeah, why not? If a good view's what you want, the roof is the perfect stage.

[impacter]

Mmn, it's true.

[It's a very noticeable quirk, and a cute one at that. Still, this might be a good test for Akira's resilience.]

Have you danced before? I'd rather not take you up quite that high with my magic being as weak as it currently is if you're not confident in your steps.

[jokey]

As a matter of fact, I have.

[Leo taught him the basics of a proper waltz and... he and Yamato almost shattered each other's ankles... but still! Both of these things technically count as dance experience. What Solomon doesn't know won't kill him.]

Buuut you might need to give me a few pointers. I'm no pro, but I learn quick.

[impacter]

I see.

[He thinks for a moment. Well, not really, but he'll pause to at least feign the consideration.]

We'll simply start in the courtyard, then. A quick learner means we'll be able to move up to more adventurous places in no time.

[jokey]

Wait— hold on. Did you hear what I said?

[He can dance! The roof is fine!! He's not going to go barreling off of it unless Solomon purposefully yeets him. Even then, he has a broom!]

Look. I have plenty of experience navigating high and narrow spaces. I'm not going to go flying off a big flat roof.

[impacter]

I did. Very well, in fact.

[It's not the falling that he's worried about, nor is it what he's testing here.]

If you can manage on the ground, I will trust your abilities several stories up.

[jokey]

You're underestimating me again.

[He'll show you, Pops. Just you wait and see what wonders he works on that mood ring.

But, lest he give Solomon more ammunition, Akira pipes down. Arguing with his decision is only going to make him look inflexible and stubborn, which is the very opposite of how he wants Solomon to view him.

So— fine. It's not the ideal venue, but beggars can't be choosers. Akira shakes the tension out of his shoulders and cracks his neck, mentally preparing to dance like no one's looking. Please don't let anyone be looking.]

Whatever m'wizard wants, m'wizard gets. To the courtyard.

[UGH]