【 Thank you for choosing the Golden Peacock, 5-star resort and casino. You are currently registered as a WILDCARD in our system.
It has recently come to our attention that many of our guests have not been focusing on their health and wellness. In an effort to encourage healthy living and help our beloved guests get in shape, a grand sports festival will be held in the Golden Peacock. This sports festival will include many small games and four large games.
Prior to the festival, guests will have the opportunity to train and prepare for the games with our expert coaches.
We hope you are as excited as we are! And, as always, we hope you enjoy your stay. 】
BEAK
MEET THE TEAM
♦ DIAMONDS GAME ♦
OMEGADOME: HUNTING GAME
A cheerful pair of game managers stand outside the conservatory doors and block all guests that try to enter. They quickly explain that a special Diamonds game is taking place inside and only guests that agree to participate may enter. This game is a physical exercise that riffs on "Hunting", which is a popular sport in many different countries and civilizations. Of course, it is one hundred percent safe, and all guests that play are eligible to win massive chip prizes, store vouchers, fabulous prizes, and more.
Details about the game? Those can't be shared outside of the conservatory. Only the brave and those willing to risks will reap the benefits of this Diamonds game. So step right up, dear guests, and sign this waiver before stepping into the flourishing beauty of the conservatory for a brand new adventure.
♥ HEARTS GAME ♥
DOUBLES' THERMO: SURVIVAL GAME
Chickadees is sparing no expense on advertising their e-sport games over the course of the sports festival. Posters, notifications, stickers, fliers! Come one, come all. Sports don't need to be physical. Guests that duck into the arcade will find a variety of e-sport games to enjoy, but the real showstopper that every single employee is aggressively promoting is the new immersive VR game, DOUBLES' THERMO.
A large swath of egg-shaped pods have been installed in the back half of Chickadees. Any guest that shows an iota of interest will be assaulted by employees encouraging them to give it a try. They will offer vouchers for a free session, encourage with mentions of prizes that can be won from the arcade's coveted prize wall, and persuade by praising how high tech and immersive the experience is. Some employees are desperate enough to trick or push guests into the pods if they aren't willing to go in themselves.
However they've ended up inside the VR egg, guests will find themselves submerged in strange fluid as the lid closes. Everything fades away into darkness as the game loads...
♣ CLUBS GAME ♣
QUACK AND COVER: SHOOTING GAME
Cloaca & Dagger has temporarily outfitted itself as a neon-bright paintball course. Gone are the wild sex setups in exchange for series of obstacles and obstructions for guests to navigate while in pursuit of paintball championship. This high intensity game of strategy and physical fitness promises to exhilarate! Welcome to Quack and Cover, a game where your shooting skills and ingenuity will be put to the test.
So say the game managers at the door before following up with a few disclaimers. Cloaca & Dagger is not responsible for any physical or psychological trauma guests may incur while inside. Guests that join the game will then be outfitted in tight black underarmor and supplied with a paintball gun and protective mask before being let loose on the course.
♠ SPADES GAME ♠
PECKING ORDER: MMA GAME
During night hours, many long-standing guests make their way through Talon toward the gym’s creaky basement stairs. Three floors down and then through a desolate hallway with littered with abandoned equipment. Double doors wait at the end, unassuming until they’ve been opened…
Flashing lights, jeers, and the thick odor of sweat. You’ve found the Pecking Order, a late-night mixed martial arts event where guests show their prowess in the ring. Spectating guests shout and messily eat snacks on make-shift bleachers while fighters clash inches away, using only their bodies to fight for dominance and win. Pecking Order is very informal; guests only need to sign up in order to get added to the docket. Anyone can watch, though they will be vaguely warned at the door that even spectating comes with risks.
LOCKER ROOMS
YOU WASH MY BACK, I'LL WASH YOURS
Every training and game location has a door labeled LOCKER ROOM right outside the entrance. These doors all connect to the same massive locker room. The magic of these locker room doors goes one way. Trying to go back to the place you just were by backtracking will not work — you’ll just end up in Beak! All guests will be advised to finish their games before hitting the showers.
The Golden Peacock is proud to present our upgraded and extended locker room. Please come in and enjoy the facilities, catch-up with your teammates, and enjoy some healthy drinks provided by our favorite resort convenience store, Cock-a-doodle-doo’s!
▶ All characters on the TDM are WILDCARDS, which means they have not yet been assigned a card value. Suits will not manifest until characters are accepted into the game.
▶ All TDMs are game canon. This TDM acts as the game's March event.
▶ Current characters may top level on the TDM. Any current characters posting to the TDM should note they are current in their subject header.
▶ The top level directory is for new characters only. We want to make sure new characters are prioritized and receive attention! If you would be interested in a game invitation, you can note that in your comment header.
▶ If you aren't satisfied with these prompts, please feel free to check out our LOCATIONS to explore more of the resort!
▶ Smut threads that take place on this TDM can be used for rewards. If both parties in the smut thread join the game, you may retroactively apply the character's initial card values to your 52 bank. If one character does not join the game the thread will not be applicable toward rewards (as that character would not have a card value). The character that does join would still receive a small payout for the encounter. Hopefully it was a fun thread regardless!
▶ We ask you to kindly add content warnings to your threads as appropriate.
▶ If you do not currently have permissions and kinks listed in your character’s journal we suggest leaving a note in your top level of any limits or boundaries for other players to reference.
[Kotone may have turned down his offer, but that doesn't mean Akira isn't keeping a wary eye on her as they trudge towards the trees. if her shivering gets too bad, he is not above taking matters into his own hands. forcing self-care onto someone who clearly prefers to handle her burdens alone]
Ah. That's a dangerous topic. [he responds with amusement. but Kotone had spoken a bit about SEES, so it's only fair that he returns the favor, right?] I think I might be talking until sundown, if you let me.
[There's something genuine in her voice as she glances back to him, her lips curved into a smaller smile than her earlier playful grins. Learning about the people who accompanied someone on their Journey is just as important as learning about the person himself, she's pretty sure. Igor and Theo had talked a lot about the strength of one's bonds, and the year she spent on Tatsumi Port Island really proved how important it could be.
Plus... she has to wonder if this is how Shinji had felt in September, asking her for stories about her life, about her friends, like he could somehow live vicariously through her. Hearing about Akira and his Journey kind of makes her wonder what could have happened after her final choice. Maybe that hint of wistfulness leaks into her voice as she adds,] Please?
[. . . dimly, Akira can't help but compare Kotone's slew of questions-- about his Personas, about his team-- to the ones that Yu had asked him back when they had discovered their mutual long-nosed friend. it must be a Wild Card thing, huh. . .? the innate instinct to understand, to connect, with other people. . .?]
[he notes the wistfulness in her voice. but much like the way she had referred to SEES as "them," he doesn't know what to make of it. it's just another little note to tuck away in the back of his mind for later]
[for now, his thoughts drift towards the faces of those he'd give anything to protect, his smile softening]
If I were to describe us as a whole, I'd say. . . we're an eclectic group of misfits.
[amusement seeps into his voice as he begins to scoop up a small armful of twigs and tiny branches. kindling first!!]
In fact, I think most people would look at us and be surprised that we hang out together. Student council presidents don't normally spend time with school delinquents, do they?
[Don't worry about those weird moments of distance! There's probably nothing tragic behind them.
Her smile softens in a mirror of his own, her eyes flitting across his face when he talks about his team. It's cute, in a way, though she laughs when he calls them misfits. That's not very nice! And yet, is SEES any less of a weird bunch?
She'll also pick up her own sticks, following his lead. Following his lead a little too closely, because once she has a good handful, she adds it to Akira's pile immediately. Helping!
Her eyes sparkle as she can't help but laugh when he mentions the student council president, though.]
I mean, ours did! But I guess it doesn't count 'cause they'd known each other for a long time.
[Her chest aches for a moment, her hand going to her heart as she thinks about Shinji. She'd heard his voice on the rooftop too, hadn't she...? It had been so hard to hear, but she could swear she'd heard him. That someone in town said he'd woken up. It's nice to think so.
Anyway, she sets that aside, once again focusing on Akira (and collecting sticks).] So how did you all get together?
[nothing tragic at all!! Kotone is the PICTURE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HEALTH AND LONGEVITY--]
[also help. Kotone?? this is the second time she has foisted her carrying duties onto him! and yet, he doesn't seem to mind, responding only with an amused huff as he adjusts the bundle of sticks in his arms so none fall by the wayside]
Ours did, too. But she only met us about a year ago.
[hm. . . Kotone reaches for her heart a lot, doesn't she. . .? is him talking about his team reminding her of her own?]
And it's a long story. But to put it simply. . .
[a beat. should he tell her. . .? Yu knows. Kazuya knows. Minato. . . doesn't know, but probably will know eventually. . .]
[mmm. if there is anyone he can tell about this. . . it's another Wild Card, right? both Kazuya and Yu had proven that point. so with a deep exhale, Akira schools his expression, features suddenly stony and unreadable]
. . . we were all hurt by some corrupt adult trying to use us to further their own agenda. [. . .] And we wanted justice.
[Listen, until called out, she sees nothing wrong with her behavior. What's the point of being a cute girl in a weird resort if you can't get boys to carry your stuff??
She glances toward him when he says it's a long story, quietly appraising him to decide if she should encourage him to tell it anyway. It's not like they have anything better to do, aside from gathering more sticks and twigs (which she fully intends to keep adding to his armful).
But he doesn't need the encouragement, just the quiet moment, and she lets him have it with a small smile and gentle nod. Sometimes people need time to talk about things; sometimes people need a little push. Part of what she'd spent the last year doing was figuring out when that was best for people.
"Justice" makes her think about Ken, which in turn makes her think about Shinjiro. She doesn't have a Justice Persona within her anymore, but she still has the Sandalphon she awoke from Shinji's Moon social link. Unbidden, the metallic angel drifts to the front of her mind, the most tangible connection she has to her fallen friend.
While there's still a small smile on her face, it seems more neutral than her bright, playful grins from before. Perhaps this is her resting expression? Her eyes search Akira's face, trying to read what she can from that stony exterior.]
[Akira isn't surprised to see her sober somewhat at his confession. after all. . . "justice" means something different to every single person, right? if his Journey had taught him anything. . . it was that. Metatron seems to hum approvingly in the back of his mind, as though reminding him of the lessons learned on his quest to right the world of it's innumerable wrongs]
[he responds evenly, though her smile does help his features soften somewhat]
We did.
[his gaze flickers back towards her, something calm and unwavering flickering in the backs of his eyes as he continues his explanation]
. . . I don't know where or how you fought against the Shadows-- [because both Yu and Minato seemed to have completely different experiences to Akira himself] -- but my team acted in the Metaverse. . . a world created by human thoughts, feelings and cognition.
Those with strong desires in the real world would unknowingly create pockets of distorted space in the Metaverse. Those pockets were called. . . Palaces.
Strong desires...? [she repeats, her brow furrowing as she takes that in. That feels weird to her. Like, yeah, Shadows are monsters made from pieces of human cognition, but the biggest problem she and SEES had encountered was Apathy Syndrome -- the complete opposite of strong desires. Apathy Syndrome had been the total crushing lack of desire. Shouldn't the presence of strong desires be a good thing...?
...Maybe not. It doesn't take long for her to draw the logical conclusion, that of course when desires are too strong, it can be as harmful as not being strong enough. Negative emotions, sure, of course, but maybe even positive emotions, too. All these thoughts flicker through her mind one after another, visible in her eyes should Akira deign to look. After those few long seconds of contemplation, she hums again and shrugs one shoulder, clearly accepting what he's said as fact as she looks back to him again with another, smaller smile.]
So that's what you had to do? Fix the distorted space before it got too bad?
[THE WAY KOTONE AND AKIRA MUST TALK ABOUT APATHY SYNDROME VERSUS MENTAL SHUTDOWNS SOMETIME. . .]
[and he is watching her reaction like a hawk, trying to read the thoughts that race through her head via her expression. and when she shrugs, turning another smile in his direction, smaller but less neutral. . . he exhales]
No. . . by the time a Palace forms, they're already pretty bad.
[it would be preferable to get to someone's distorted desires well before they were used to hurt someone, but. . . well. that would have to be done on a societal level, not a supernatural one]
But we'd clear out the distorted space, anyway. A teacher who abused his students, a mentor who stole his pupil's artwork, a mafia boss taking advantage of high schoolers to sell drugs. . .
[another exhale]
. . . taking away those desires meant those people would feel so guilty about what they've done. . . that they'd confess to the police.
[and ultimately be held accountable for the lives they had ruined]
[She hums, her smile once again fading into that more neutral, contemplative expression. It feels very complicated, like the kind of thing she'd rely on Mitsuru to guide her into understanding. It doesn't feel like the right thing to do, based on her own experiences. Stealing someone else's desires sounds dangerous.
Isn't that what they'd fought for? Isn't that what she'd sacrificed herself for, to ensure that people could continue to feel, continue to struggle and fight and live in their imperfect world?]
How did you make sure to only take the desires that hurt other people? [she asks finally, after taking those long few moments to mull it over. Her smile is still on her lips, but her eyes are serious now as she searches Akira's own.] If you take away people's desires, they just become empty husks.
[he can tell he is being scrutinized. that's fine, actually; he knows, better than anyone, how thin the tightrope of justice is upon which he and his team balance. he would be surprised if anyone took his explanation without questioning it]
[if you take away people's desires, they become empty husks, she says. something sets tightly in his jaw, gaze narrowing]
We don't go that far. We don't cause mental shutdowns.
[he is making an awfully big leap in logic, here. assuming that "mental shutdowns" is the same terminology that Kotone and her team used]
. . . in every Palace there is a Treasure, which is the cornerstone of the distorted space. And every Palace is guarded by that individual's Shadow.
If you remove the treasure, you destroy the Palace. And if you leave the Shadow alive, then it eventually returns to that individual's true self.
The distorted desires are gone, but. . . back in the real world, that individual is still able to think and feel and want for themselves. . . because you didn't destroy the core of who they are.
[you just. . . you know. cleaned up their mind a little bit!]
[Her head tilts when he says "mental shutdown" with such force. She's never heard of it, but when she described Apathy Syndrome, he called it something else. Something that made it sound like it was something a Persona user could do. She trusts him when he says he wouldn't do that to someone, but the fact that it's possible... that's a sobering thought. Does it mean that her Seal is weakening, if people can still be affected by things like that? Worse, does it mean there are Persona users out there trying to actively bring Nyx back...?
Almost automatically, she goes back to gathering sticks and twigs, scooping up several handfuls of them as she hums with thought. Sorry for the silence! She's just thinking. About the world she left behind, and the hands she'd left it in. The relationship between people and Shadows, people and their wants... it's a lot.
Eventually, she comes in closer and drops her gathered wood on top of the pile she'd already put in Akira's arms, giving him a smile and a small nod.]
[alluding that mental shutdowns are something that can be caused by a Persona-user sure makes it sound like he knows this from experience! not the experience of causing one himself, but. . . the experience of knowing someone who did]
[but he doesn't get into that. Kotone lapses into silence and begins collecting more sticks, and Akira follows her lead, bundling even more into his already-full arms. it isn't until she returns to him, topping off said pile with one last delivery and a small smile. . . that he exhales]
[another breath that he had been holding. waiting as she made up her mind about him. about the decisions that he and his team had made. . . for the good of the world around him]
T-- . . . thanks.
[a small bow of his head, bangs shading across his eyes]
. . . I know we're not free of our own sins. And I know we're not the perfect pictures of moral justice ourselves.
[lot of people have taken issue with what they are doing. that's not a bad thing]
But. . . we try. To do the right thing. [even if "right" can be subjective] To help others, not hurt them.
[Akira's kind, isn't he? He reminds her of Ken, in a way. Melchizedek may have been fused away, but she can still remember how he felt in her heart. Ken cared so much and thought he was doing the right thing... even if it didn't turn out that way.
While he bows his head, Kotone leans up on the balls of her feet and pats his head, once, twice, before drawing back and clasping her hands behind her.]
You have to agree to take responsibility for your own actions. That's what I was told when I signed my contract. [There's a fondness to her smile as she tilts her head and tries to catch his eye.] Trying to do the right thing is probably the most important part for people like us. Maybe we don't always do it right, but we do everything in our power to make things better.
So... even if I don't really get it, I trust you! [she's repeating it, because it's important for him to understand.] To always try.
[. . . head pats?? that clearly takes Akira by surprise as his eyes widen, gaze snapping up again once she is done. no one has ever pat his head before!! new experience unlocked??]
Ah. . .
[agreeing to take responsibility for his own actions. . . well. that phrase brings up some nasty memories he would rather wipe away, so he can't talk much about responsibility. but he does get what she is saying]
[. . . because she's right]
[his lips curve into a lopsided smile as he begins the trek back to the hut. now that they have the sticks, they can start to build their little bonfire!!]
After all of that, I think it might be your turn to tell me about your Journey.
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peacockstop2025-03-15 09:00 pm
no subject
[Kotone may have turned down his offer, but that doesn't mean Akira isn't keeping a wary eye on her as they trudge towards the trees. if her shivering gets too bad, he is not above taking matters into his own hands. forcing self-care onto someone who clearly prefers to handle her burdens alone]
Ah. That's a dangerous topic. [he responds with amusement. but Kotone had spoken a bit about SEES, so it's only fair that he returns the favor, right?] I think I might be talking until sundown, if you let me.
[HE POKES GENTLE FUN AT HIMSELF. . .]
no subject
I'd like to listen.
[There's something genuine in her voice as she glances back to him, her lips curved into a smaller smile than her earlier playful grins. Learning about the people who accompanied someone on their Journey is just as important as learning about the person himself, she's pretty sure. Igor and Theo had talked a lot about the strength of one's bonds, and the year she spent on Tatsumi Port Island really proved how important it could be.
Plus... she has to wonder if this is how Shinji had felt in September, asking her for stories about her life, about her friends, like he could somehow live vicariously through her. Hearing about Akira and his Journey kind of makes her wonder what could have happened after her final choice. Maybe that hint of wistfulness leaks into her voice as she adds,] Please?
no subject
[. . . dimly, Akira can't help but compare Kotone's slew of questions-- about his Personas, about his team-- to the ones that Yu had asked him back when they had discovered their mutual long-nosed friend. it must be a Wild Card thing, huh. . .? the innate instinct to understand, to connect, with other people. . .?]
[he notes the wistfulness in her voice. but much like the way she had referred to SEES as "them," he doesn't know what to make of it. it's just another little note to tuck away in the back of his mind for later]
[for now, his thoughts drift towards the faces of those he'd give anything to protect, his smile softening]
If I were to describe us as a whole, I'd say. . . we're an eclectic group of misfits.
[amusement seeps into his voice as he begins to scoop up a small armful of twigs and tiny branches. kindling first!!]
In fact, I think most people would look at us and be surprised that we hang out together. Student council presidents don't normally spend time with school delinquents, do they?
no subject
Her smile softens in a mirror of his own, her eyes flitting across his face when he talks about his team. It's cute, in a way, though she laughs when he calls them misfits. That's not very nice! And yet, is SEES any less of a weird bunch?
She'll also pick up her own sticks, following his lead. Following his lead a little too closely, because once she has a good handful, she adds it to Akira's pile immediately. Helping!
Her eyes sparkle as she can't help but laugh when he mentions the student council president, though.]
I mean, ours did! But I guess it doesn't count 'cause they'd known each other for a long time.
[Her chest aches for a moment, her hand going to her heart as she thinks about Shinji. She'd heard his voice on the rooftop too, hadn't she...? It had been so hard to hear, but she could swear she'd heard him. That someone in town said he'd woken up. It's nice to think so.
Anyway, she sets that aside, once again focusing on Akira (and collecting sticks).] So how did you all get together?
no subject
[also help. Kotone?? this is the second time she has foisted her carrying duties onto him! and yet, he doesn't seem to mind, responding only with an amused huff as he adjusts the bundle of sticks in his arms so none fall by the wayside]
Ours did, too. But she only met us about a year ago.
[hm. . . Kotone reaches for her heart a lot, doesn't she. . .? is him talking about his team reminding her of her own?]
And it's a long story. But to put it simply. . .
[a beat. should he tell her. . .? Yu knows. Kazuya knows. Minato. . . doesn't know, but probably will know eventually. . .]
[mmm. if there is anyone he can tell about this. . . it's another Wild Card, right? both Kazuya and Yu had proven that point. so with a deep exhale, Akira schools his expression, features suddenly stony and unreadable]
. . . we were all hurt by some corrupt adult trying to use us to further their own agenda. [. . .] And we wanted justice.
no subject
She glances toward him when he says it's a long story, quietly appraising him to decide if she should encourage him to tell it anyway. It's not like they have anything better to do, aside from gathering more sticks and twigs (which she fully intends to keep adding to his armful).
But he doesn't need the encouragement, just the quiet moment, and she lets him have it with a small smile and gentle nod. Sometimes people need time to talk about things; sometimes people need a little push. Part of what she'd spent the last year doing was figuring out when that was best for people.
"Justice" makes her think about Ken, which in turn makes her think about Shinjiro. She doesn't have a Justice Persona within her anymore, but she still has the Sandalphon she awoke from Shinji's Moon social link. Unbidden, the metallic angel drifts to the front of her mind, the most tangible connection she has to her fallen friend.
While there's still a small smile on her face, it seems more neutral than her bright, playful grins from before. Perhaps this is her resting expression? Her eyes search Akira's face, trying to read what she can from that stony exterior.]
...Did you get it? [she asks finally.] Justice.
no subject
[he responds evenly, though her smile does help his features soften somewhat]
We did.
[his gaze flickers back towards her, something calm and unwavering flickering in the backs of his eyes as he continues his explanation]
. . . I don't know where or how you fought against the Shadows-- [because both Yu and Minato seemed to have completely different experiences to Akira himself] -- but my team acted in the Metaverse. . . a world created by human thoughts, feelings and cognition.
Those with strong desires in the real world would unknowingly create pockets of distorted space in the Metaverse. Those pockets were called. . . Palaces.
no subject
...Maybe not. It doesn't take long for her to draw the logical conclusion, that of course when desires are too strong, it can be as harmful as not being strong enough. Negative emotions, sure, of course, but maybe even positive emotions, too. All these thoughts flicker through her mind one after another, visible in her eyes should Akira deign to look. After those few long seconds of contemplation, she hums again and shrugs one shoulder, clearly accepting what he's said as fact as she looks back to him again with another, smaller smile.]
So that's what you had to do? Fix the distorted space before it got too bad?
no subject
[and he is watching her reaction like a hawk, trying to read the thoughts that race through her head via her expression. and when she shrugs, turning another smile in his direction, smaller but less neutral. . . he exhales]
No. . . by the time a Palace forms, they're already pretty bad.
[it would be preferable to get to someone's distorted desires well before they were used to hurt someone, but. . . well. that would have to be done on a societal level, not a supernatural one]
But we'd clear out the distorted space, anyway. A teacher who abused his students, a mentor who stole his pupil's artwork, a mafia boss taking advantage of high schoolers to sell drugs. . .
[another exhale]
. . . taking away those desires meant those people would feel so guilty about what they've done. . . that they'd confess to the police.
[and ultimately be held accountable for the lives they had ruined]
no subject
[She hums, her smile once again fading into that more neutral, contemplative expression. It feels very complicated, like the kind of thing she'd rely on Mitsuru to guide her into understanding. It doesn't feel like the right thing to do, based on her own experiences. Stealing someone else's desires sounds dangerous.
Isn't that what they'd fought for? Isn't that what she'd sacrificed herself for, to ensure that people could continue to feel, continue to struggle and fight and live in their imperfect world?]
How did you make sure to only take the desires that hurt other people? [she asks finally, after taking those long few moments to mull it over. Her smile is still on her lips, but her eyes are serious now as she searches Akira's own.] If you take away people's desires, they just become empty husks.
no subject
[if you take away people's desires, they become empty husks, she says. something sets tightly in his jaw, gaze narrowing]
We don't go that far. We don't cause mental shutdowns.
[he is making an awfully big leap in logic, here. assuming that "mental shutdowns" is the same terminology that Kotone and her team used]
. . . in every Palace there is a Treasure, which is the cornerstone of the distorted space. And every Palace is guarded by that individual's Shadow.
If you remove the treasure, you destroy the Palace. And if you leave the Shadow alive, then it eventually returns to that individual's true self.
The distorted desires are gone, but. . . back in the real world, that individual is still able to think and feel and want for themselves. . . because you didn't destroy the core of who they are.
[you just. . . you know. cleaned up their mind a little bit!]
no subject
Almost automatically, she goes back to gathering sticks and twigs, scooping up several handfuls of them as she hums with thought. Sorry for the silence! She's just thinking. About the world she left behind, and the hands she'd left it in. The relationship between people and Shadows, people and their wants... it's a lot.
Eventually, she comes in closer and drops her gathered wood on top of the pile she'd already put in Akira's arms, giving him a smile and a small nod.]
Okay. I trust that you're doing the right thing.
no subject
[but he doesn't get into that. Kotone lapses into silence and begins collecting more sticks, and Akira follows her lead, bundling even more into his already-full arms. it isn't until she returns to him, topping off said pile with one last delivery and a small smile. . . that he exhales]
[another breath that he had been holding. waiting as she made up her mind about him. about the decisions that he and his team had made. . . for the good of the world around him]
T-- . . . thanks.
[a small bow of his head, bangs shading across his eyes]
. . . I know we're not free of our own sins. And I know we're not the perfect pictures of moral justice ourselves.
[lot of people have taken issue with what they are doing. that's not a bad thing]
But. . . we try. To do the right thing. [even if "right" can be subjective] To help others, not hurt them.
no subject
While he bows his head, Kotone leans up on the balls of her feet and pats his head, once, twice, before drawing back and clasping her hands behind her.]
You have to agree to take responsibility for your own actions. That's what I was told when I signed my contract. [There's a fondness to her smile as she tilts her head and tries to catch his eye.] Trying to do the right thing is probably the most important part for people like us. Maybe we don't always do it right, but we do everything in our power to make things better.
So... even if I don't really get it, I trust you! [she's repeating it, because it's important for him to understand.] To always try.
no subject
Ah. . .
[agreeing to take responsibility for his own actions. . . well. that phrase brings up some nasty memories he would rather wipe away, so he can't talk much about responsibility. but he does get what she is saying]
[. . . because she's right]
[his lips curve into a lopsided smile as he begins the trek back to the hut. now that they have the sticks, they can start to build their little bonfire!!]
After all of that, I think it might be your turn to tell me about your Journey.
no subject