Floor 1, Room 3

[jokey]

AKIRA

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[jokey]

You really want to get handsy with me?

[SEDUCTIVELY WIGGLES BROW,

...except he's totally trying to wiggle out of a sparring match. Maybe Kurapika will fall for his ruse?]

If that's what you want, all you have to do is ask. There's oil in the pantry and everything.

[revengier]

[ Kurapika frowns his biggest frown yet, and if his eyes were capable of flashing red just yet, surely they would right now. ]

You couldn't have said that more repellently.

[ Pantry oil? Disgusting. ]

If you don't want to fight, just say so.

[jokey]

[So fussy! That's exactly the response Akira was hoping for. Still, he knows when to pull his punches and when to tease serious types like Kurapika in moderation. He's off the hook for now... but not for long.]

I don't think you'd find sparring with me that satisfying. That's all. It wouldn't be a very straightforward fight.

[Akira likes to use everything to his advantage in a fight— every tool at his disposal, the art of stealth, even his environment. Would Kurapika appreciate fighting with someone whose tactics he might consider underhanded?]

[revengier]

[ Still feeling a bit bothered by Akira's words just a few moments before, Kurapika simply shrugs. He's a fussy one indeed, and Akira is right to pull back just a bit for the time being. ]

Skill in battle comes from your ability to adapt, and that means using tactics that aren't straightforward.

[ He sits folds his hands on his lap. ]

Life isn't straightforward, and so anyone who knows what they're doing shouldn't expect battles to be either.

[jokey]

[Oh? He hadn't anticipated that answer from Kurapika. He seems like a straight shooter to Akira, but he'd been too quick to make assumptions. With one brow quirked, Akira cubes up the meat, eyes flitting to Kurapika from time to time.]

Well said. If you really want a fight, let's do it when we're both well-equipped. Right now, neither of us have half the things we usually do when we fight. Can you wait until we've gotten the hang of this magic stuff?

[revengier]

[ You see what you get when you make assumptions, Akira?

Kurapika almost balks at the question, frowning slightly. ]

Of course I can wait. Do I look like some fight-seeking meathead to you?

[ His tone is light, however, and not that serious. For once, he's actually not mad. ]

[jokey]

Meathead?

[Akira snorts.]

No. Hothead though, maybe. You've definitely got some fight in you.

[Dare to tell him he's wrong?]

[revengier]

[ Kurapika huffs—almost. He manages to hold it back at the last second, exhaling through his nose instead. ]

I can control my emotions just fine.

[ It took a hell of a lot of work for him to get there, however. ]

[jokey]

That's not what I meant. I believe you.

Some people have a fire burning inside of them that never goes out. Some people are passionate. Driven. Maybe a little hotheaded too. Tell me I'm wrong if I'm wrong, but you strike me as one of those people.

[revengier]

[ Well.

Kurapika would love to tell him he's wrong, honestly, but he can't. ]

You're right, actually. [ As much as he's loath to admit it. ] I'm driven by anger, and I'll do anything it takes to ensure that it never fades.

[ Dramatic, much? ]

[jokey]

[Seriously dramatic, but... Well. That answer gives Akira pause, because unfortunately, it sounds way too familiar. It stings.]

Even if that anger kills you in the end?

[revengier]

I don't fear death.

[ So, yes. He's lost plenty off of his lifespan to anger at this point anyway. Dying early for the sake of vengeance is something he has long since accepted. ]

[jokey]

[Akira barely manages to withhold a sigh. Of course. Of course he's just like him (fr).]

Finished with those carrots? Potatoes are next. Peeling them's simple.

[...But I'll show you if you need me to.]

[revengier]

[ He's struck some kind of nerve, hasn't he? It's obvious, and Kurapika casts a sidelong glance at Akira as he hops off of the counter.

It's better this way anyway. Akira's too kind of a person, Kurapika can tell. And as such, he should keep his distance. Kurapika doesn't need more people to try and shove their way into his affairs. ]

Show me. It's been a long time since I've watched anyone peel one.

[jokey]

[Yeah whatever, ignoring that glance. He'll get over it, don't worry about him!!

Akira takes his knife in one hand and a potato in the other.]

Watch closely. This is a bit more involved than chopping carrots.

[Akira goes nice and slow, peeling a few strips of potato so Kurapika gets the general idea of how deep to cut, what angle to hold the knife at, and so on. He sets both down on Kurapika's cutting board.]

Your turn.

[revengier]

[ He watches closely, making note of the way the knife slices at the skin of the potato and the angles that Akira holds it up against the blade to ensure that it slices off cleanly.

With a 19, it's clear just how carefully he was watching, because he has near flawless execution. ]

I think I like this better than carrots.

[jokey]

That's more like it. You're a natural.

[Just gonna sliiide about 10 potatoes over to Kurapika while he gets the spices and the base of the curry stewing in the pot.]

Don't tell me you've scalped people before.

[revengier]

I would never do something so disrespectful.

[ Desecrating a body like that... the thought is horrific, even if Akira is joking. He starts to peel the next potato with a little bit more force than necessary. ]

[jokey]

Can't take a joke to save your life, can you?

[#fond...]

Thanks for the help, by the way. Curry's a bit involved, as you can see, so I appreciate a second set of hands in the kitchen.

[revengier]

Or maybe your joke was just terrible.

[ How about that instead? Take some comedy lessons, Akira!!

But as he moves onto the next potato, his tone smooths into something less biting. ]

No need to thank me for it. I'd feel strange standing there while you did everything.

[jokey]

Ouch! I've got feelings, Kurapika.

[And they're not the least bit hurt. Hehehe.]

You could've waited in your room. I don't like making my guest do half the work.

[revengier]

[ Kurapika frowns as he picks up another potato. ]

I'm not your guest, first of all.

[ Please... it sounds too formal for what this is—an impromptu meal just because. ]

But if you're so bothered by it, ask me to stand around and watch next time instead.

[jokey]

[So sassy! Akira can't help snickering again, his bad mood from earlier already lifting. Thanks, Kurapika. You're the best but also the worst.]

Should I order you like a dog? Something tells me you'd get all huffy and indignant.

[revengier]

Like a dog? What's your problem?

[ UGH!!! He's peeling that potato in his hand with more force now. ]

How would you feel if I did that to you? [ ... ] Actually, don't answer. I don't want to hear it.

[jokey]

If you peeled me like a potato...?

[Sorry. Didn't think before speaking.]

I'd bite your leg, obviously. I'm a cat, not a dog.