hadriel_logs | Event Log: Home Sweet Home

Entry tags:

Event Log: Home Sweet Home

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for the Home Sweet Home event
Where: All over the city
When: June 20th-July 2nd
Warnings: Nothing bad could ever happen now that you're home

It could happen at any moment- any action you do could be cut short by a sudden trancelike state, and so hopefully it happens when you're safe in your surroundings. And of course you're safe... after all, what could happen to you now that you're finally home?

Whether you don't remember Hadriel at all, or you just believe that this entire ordeal is over, you're home for good now, which is something worth celebrating. What happens in your home? Are you treated like royalty or just cast aside and forgotten? How are your friends doing? Your family? Everything is just as it should be and it's easy to get lost in it, even for an unlucky onlooker who may find themselves drawn into your trance and able to interact with you as you mill about your world and your reality.

Snapping out of it is the only way to end this trance, and you've got to eat and sleep at some point, but how can you go back now that you've been teased with what you desire (or maybe even fear) the most?

► This log covers June 20th-July 2nd.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you die of homesickness let us know here.

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i. School Life
[ At first glance, there's nothing that stands out too much about this particular vision of home life-- Akechi is a teenage boy, so it's only normal that he should attend high school, right?

Yes, this is all fine and dandy, except it looks like it's break time, and instead of enjoying his time with friends, Akechi is sitting on his desk in class and eating lunch all on his lonesome. In a corner of the room, a small group of girls seem to have gathered, and occasionally they send glances his way, before turning away in a flurry of giggling and sighing. On the opposite end? A handful of guys also send some looks his way, but they're considerably less interested than their female classmates, and a lot more judgmental-- the term "glaring daggers" comes to mind.

Does this make Akechi a popular kid in school? Maybe-- he does have a female following, at least. But what's the point, when nobody ever really approaches him...? ]

ii. Overtime
[ In a large and somewhat ostentatious office room, Akechi stands in front of a desk; before him, a bald man in shades sits cross-legged and cross faced, an intimidating aura about him.

"Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?" Akechi tries to reason with him, a placating tone that contrasts with visible tension all across his shoulders. "By killing Okumura-san, there is a chance the Phantom Thieves will only see a further boost in popularity, and that wouldn't be beneficial to your plans. Perhaps if we--"

"Are you questioning my orders?" The man raises his voice, not quite a yell, but overpowering nonetheless. "You do know what happens with people who cross me, right?"

"... yes, of course." His gaze drops to the floor, and he takes a half step back, out of instinct. "I will do as you say, Shido-san."

With that out of the way, he makes for the exit, his features hardened to match his body. Catch him on his way out? ]

[Yusuke is lurking at the door, which is open enough that he can see and hear everything, but not enough that any attention can be drawn to himself. The man Akechi is speaking to is someone Yusuke recognises from the news, though he can't say he pays enough attention to current affairs to put a face to a name. But... Shido-san, who was threatening Akechi... The one behind the conspiracy to destroy the Phantom Thieves, who ordered Okumura's death...

It may have been many months since he arrived in Hadriel, but that doesn't take away the sting of all they'd endured as Phantom Thieves back home. He keeps lurking by the door until it opens, which is when he retreats, just enough that when Akechi leaves, he can grab him by the arm and tug him to one side, speaking in a hushed voice.]

What's going on? [They couldn't really be back home, could they? Akechi had to know this wasn't real.]

[ Alas, he doesn't.

Really, it's not as though his life back home had been great-- but it had been a life, unlike the events that led up to him winding up in Hadriel. And though he doesn't consciously remember any of it, maybe a part of him is clinging to familiarity (as it were), his old plans, his revenge... Or maybe he was hoping to change the outcome. The subconscious works in strange, unpredictable ways.

The catch, though? He also doesn't remember the Phantom Thieves-- not as a group that he's ever been a part of, anyway. And so, he barely knows Yusuke's name, either. ]

You're... Madarame's pupil, aren't you? [ He looks genuinely puzzled. ] Kitagawa-kun... What... are you doing here?

[ Has Shido recruited him, too...? ]

[Yusuke's eyes widen at the lack of any real recognition from Akechi, and he looks over to the door to Shido's office. The man who had presumably ordered Akira's assassination was in there, and if he had any inkling of who Yusuke was, then surely he'd...

He pauses, and forces himself to focus back on Akechi. If this isn't real, he shouldn't be worrying about that right now. Especially when Akechi himself scarcely seems to recognise him.]

Former pupil. I'm here because... this is undoubtedly another illusion conjured up by Hadriel. Don't you remember?

Huh...?

[ An illusion? Hadriel? What the hell was this guy even going on about? Did he finally cave in to starvation like most artists and lose his mind...? ]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean. [ His eyes narrow down, both in confusion and suspicion. ] Are you... sure you're in the right place? An ordinary high school student has no business to attend in this particular office.

[ And, of course, Akechi is no ordinary student. He's the Ace Detective. His charade is safe. ]

[Yusuke frowns. How to prove he's not an ordinary high school student... Well.]

I know who you really are, and I have a fairly clear idea of who that individual you were speaking with is. Please, can we talk?

[In private. There has to be some way to reason with him -- to get him to realise the truth and break the latest gods' meddling on him. He has to try, at the very least.]

[ Who he really is...? What is that even supposed to mean? Surely some random kid could never figure him out-- his act was absolutely flawless. Even Shido didn't suspect a thing... ]

I didn't think artists would be interested in politics, though it's admirable of you to be thinking of the future of this country. [ Seriously, anyone who hasn't been living under a rock should know who Shido is, this is nothing special. ]

Ah, but-- I didn't think my popularity would quite match Shido-san's, though I suppose I was wrong. Is it an autograph you want? Or perhaps a picture?

[Yusuke risks just sounding like a crazy person and being dismissed accordingly, but...]

No, nothing like that. The only thing I want is for you to come back to Hadriel with me. This isn't reality -- can't you see that?

[ ... yeah, no, Yusuke is definitely getting a Look here-- one that, while still polite and pleasant like Akechi used to be, is also more than a little puzzled. ]

Hadriel...? [ The name rolls off his tongue as though in a foreign language, and for the faintest moment, something tugs at the back of his mind... Something... that's gone all too soon. ]

Kitagawa-kun, are you... sure you don't need any help? You don't seem to be making much sense right now...

Hadriel is the city we've been entrapped in for months. You, I, and Akira. [Not even trying to prod Akechi's memories seems to be making much progress, though. What would Akira say or do in this situation...? He knows Akechi better than Yusuke does. He props a hand to his chin in thought.

Then, more to himself than to Akechi:]

Perhaps the gods' meddling has placed you beyond reach for now. If that's so, perhaps it is simply best to let events unfold...

Geh-! ( it's a gut reaction to seeing shido. almost like everything else was forgotten; the heists, the interrogation room, even hadriel...
almost immediately realizing his mis-step, akira quickly ducks to the side of the door, pressing himself against the wall outside of the office.

he held his breath, hoping that he hadn't been seen and listening to the conversation inside. it's only when akechi seems to half-heartedly commit to his orders that he takes the opportunity to slip away from the room, trying to make it look like he hadn't been anywhere near, and of course, not eavesdropping.

once he's a few paces away from the exit, almost home-free... as akechi heads in his direction. ) Ah...

( he adjusts his glasses, the lights above hitting them just right— ) Excuse me.

[ Glint off his glasses or not, there's no way Akechi wouldn't recognize that face anywhere, not from a mile away, and especially not from so close.

That doesn't really tell him why Akira is just casually standing outside Shido's office, of all places. If anything, it gives him more questions than answers. ]

Kurusu-kun...? [ He reverts to the friendly yet distant form of address, and all other pleasantries that used to come with his old mask. ] What a surprise to see you here. Are you doing a school assignment?

That's right... ( he's quick to jump on the well-provided excuse.
this was the akechi he had grown used to, the pleasant boy act working overtime— despite the exchange he'd just heard. )

I was separated from the group, it seems... ( he pushes his specs up his nose. ) Are you here on official business, too?

( like maybe an official murder list??? )

Hmm. [ A nod, easy and natural, always so practiced at lying through his teeth. ] You could say that.

[ Of course, a crucial aspect of being a good liar is to not linger on any compromising topics for longer than absolutely necessary, so time for a quick switch: ]

So, what kind of assignment is it? I have a little time, so I could help you find your group as you tell me.

Ah, I couldn't expect you to that, I'm sure there are much better uses of your time... ( but he couldn't let this opportunity to try and understand this detective-kun's motivations... )

Though if you're not busy at the moment, I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on our local council members. That is— who these offices belong to, isn't that right?

[ Ah, how... pushy. Well, it's not like he can't make pleasant conversation even if this particular topic isn't exactly his favorite, but... not here. Not where Shido could find him talking so "openly" about politics. ]

If that is what you'd rather talk about, I wouldn't mind. We can still do that as we move, though.

[ So he'll lead by example and move towards the exit. If Akira wants to have this conversation, it's going to be on Akechi's terms. ]

So, shall we?

( well, he can't let his cover be blown that quickly, can he? )

Of course. ( is akira's simple reply. none of this is real anyway, right? what harm could there be in heading for an outing with the most pleasant law boy of all?
so he follows, though there's a slight grin as he looks over. )

Scheduled field trips like this... aren't usually as educational as the schools hope sometimes, I think.

( especially fake school trips.
and especially since this meeting with akechi was likely to be ten times more informative... )

Edited 2018-06-30 01:16 (UTC)

[ Good, we're making small progress here-- at least enough to get the hell away from this office in particular. ]

Are they not? To be honest, I haven't had the time to engage in many of them. In fact, I haven't even been attending school much as of lately...

[ And that is actual, legitimate honesty for once. He has been a very busy hitman for the past while. ]

( there's an interested— ) Hm?

( in that fleeting moment of honesty, and akira can't help but entertain the curiosity it stirred inside of him. )

You've been too busy? Or... ( some other reason, maybe? )

... yes. Quite so.

[ The conversation he had just had back in that office comes to mind, soon followed by many others, all very similar to it, all memories that are just a little too hard to completely ignore. And for a single, split second, it shows.

But then the second is gone. ]

In between my other cases, television appearances and investigating the Phantom Thieves, I have been left with very little time for school. [ And there it is, that fake beat to his tone, and the smile that is far too plastic. ] I'm fortunate that my school has made special accommodations for me, so even though I haven't been attending classes, I'm not behind on my coursework.

( there it is again— the truth behind the mask. fleeting, transient... but it's there. if only this had could have been real. maybe then there was a chance that akira wouldn't have been too late to... ... )

It must take a special kind of talent to be able to handle to calmly. ( like you're trying to let on... ) I'm not sure half as many people would be able to keep up with all the pressure.

( of society. of the fans...
of a murderous figurehead. )

[ A special kind of talent? Well, that's one way of calling it-- though dubbing it as "losing his heart nearly in its entirety" would be a far more accurate portrayal. ]

I must admit, it can be rather taxing. [ Physically, yes, but the greatest toll has always been on his already fragile psique, another shard destroyed with every berserk incident, another piece gone with every life. ]

But, you, too, are under quite some pressure, correct? [ A side glance, and then: ] After all, you have to live with a harsh label placed on you.

[ And pretty unfairly, on top of it. ]

Hm? ( that actually seems to catch him off guard a little. it was the first time that someone on the side of the law had acknowledged even the possibility that his ordeal had been even remotely less-than-deserved. )

Heh... ( a forefigner reaches up to idly scratch at his cheek. ) All the whispering in the hallways... I'm sure you have your fair share of that too, Dectective-kun. ( akira's tone is light— almost jovial. it was in rare candid times like these, that he could afford to think maybe they weren't so different... )

But it seems we have to live under society's rules no matter who we are... unless you're lucky enough to be making the rules. ( maybe you can just tell from the drop in tone who he may be alluding to... )

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Event Log: Home Sweet Home

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