I. a bad day | open

[bleakdecember]

WHO: Goro Akechi + YOU!
WHERE: Network or Cafe Millennia
WHEN: Oct 6th, morning/afternoon
WHAT: Akechi tries to figure out this new app, and also has a bad day
WARNINGS: none, just him being a jerk

i. text | un; oneforsorrow

I'm going to assume this isn't some kind of malware
And most of these posts don't look like bots
So why can't I delete this, let alone find any information on it?
I'm not really in a position to get a new phone right now

ii. getting coffee

[Coming to the cafe between classes to get some caffeine is basically a ritual for him at this point. Doesn't help he didn't get much sleep last night, damned bird. Doesn't help this damned app won't delete off of his phone...

He grabs his drink order and makes for his favorite seat, but he's distracted by his phone. Someone unfortunate might just run into him. Whether the hot coffee spills on him or you, well, that's up for fate to decide.]

Damnit--! [He looks up and jumps back a bit.] Watch where you're going.

Comments

[bleakdecember]

Yes -- at the university. Criminal law, haha.... It keeps me pretty busy. Lots of all-nighters.

[He tilts his head slightly. Maybe he can just repay him by entertaining him.]

I don't think I've seen you around here before. Just visiting, or...?

[godmaker]

Yes, I am … visiting. For work.

[His expression softens when he notices the younger man is actually paying attention.]

Criminal law really is like that. [He hums.] I found corporate law more vexing, but every time- hm. Well. Your sleep schedule won’t be normal for a long while, I’m afraid.

[bleakdecember]

Oh, really? What's your profession?

[Well, he can't help but light up a little bit and someone showing genuine interest. As much as he pushes people away, especially anyone with a sniff of authority...]

Mmhmm. I find the criminal side far more interesting. It feels more applicable to the average person, and -- well, it's fascinating to consider why people do what they do. Corporate law is so dry.

[His sleep schedule... haha. The damned bird in his head wouldn't let him anyway.]

That's why I drink so much coffee.

[godmaker]

I… [his gaze seems to unfocus for a moment.] Am currently a judge. For the length of my stay here, I will still be one.

[The barista calls out his name, and he passes the latte over.]

I think the same. The human psyche is sometimes quite compelling, even when driven to do unfortunate things. [He cants his head to the side.] Do you wish to continue our conversation at your table? I do not mind either way.

[bleakdecember]

Oh, then our interests overlap more than I realized. It's as if fate brought us together.

[He's teasing, of course. He takes the coffee with an appreciative smile, and then leads them to his usual table. Anyone else he might've shooed off by now, but he's feeling curious.]

We can never truly understand the human condition unless we also examine its darker aspects. Or that's my opinion, at least.

[godmaker]

[he places his briefcase next to his seat, cane leant against the table. he sits like he has never even thought of slouching in his entire life.]

You do not have to couch your thoughts in uncertain terms to appeal to me. [he cracks open his bottle of water, takes a sip.] I know what it takes for a person to see the depths of human folly and still continue to defend them.

[he then straight up pours the water on his shirt stain.]

[bleakdecember]

[Interesting. He drinks in all the details of Neuvillete's mannerisms and appearance.]

Yes, I'm sure your work has shown you the depths of human depravity. [He sounds almost giddy when he says it. The raven, too, watches closely from within him. It always likes when he indulges in this sort of stuff.] What drew you to this occupatio--

[He's stunned into silence by the water pour. Uh. Uh....]

...

[Yeah, no, he's speechless.]

[godmaker]

Most judiciary systems look orderly on the outside, but are too complex and intertwined on the inside. That is interesting to me.

[He keeps talking like, you know, his newly-found conversation partner isn’t dripping water. He’s so used to either not being perceived by ordinary folk or only being in the general vicinity of his mage keeper that he doesn’t even hesitate before curling his fingers inward - the water crawls up and out of the younger man’s shirt, into a sad looking little ball of diluted brown.]

You are young. Human depravity should not be a constant in your life, even just in study.

[bleakdecember]

[He thinks that maybe he should be... offended? But this is so out of left field he just sits in dripping silence.

Until--

At the sign of what is clearly magic, he bolts upright from his seat. The chair squeaks, drawing some looks. At this point, he doesn't care. His fingers dig into the edge of the table.]

What did you do?

[He hisses. The raven in his head laughs. This is -- it's not supposed to be something people do in plain view. It's something he was supposed to be avoiding.]

[godmaker]

[???????

He looks confused for a good long moment.]

Oh. [He gently dumps the dirty water back into his water bottle, closes it. Puts it back on the table. Crosses his legs and folds his hands on a knee.]

You saw that. [He looks at the other man placidly.] Sit back down.

[bleakdecember]

[Why does he look so surprised? Why does he look so calm? Goro breathes heavily, his head spinning.

...But he does sit. The last thing he wants is undue attention when this is something so... sensitive. His chest constricts.]

I'd appreciate it if you explained yourself.

[He smiles. It's not friendly.]

[godmaker]

[Hmm… this one has facets. He’d do great in law. Great in what direction, he’s not sure.

Neuvillette finds himself vaguely contemplating how much force to hit him with to force short-term memory loss. And then feeling guilty for thinking about it. And then continuing to do it anyway.]

Do you believe in magic?

[bleakdecember]

[It's fine. He's debating if any of his powers would be useful, as well. Maybe he can lull Neuvilette into sleep and slip away? It's a bit late for that now.]

Let's say, hypothetically, I said yes. [He doesn't want to admit it, but he doesn't want this conversation to stall.]

[godmaker]

Then that is what it was. I merely wanted to remove the stain before it set; I meant you no harm.

[He waves a hand. His brow is a little furrowed.] I apologize for not warning you, I did not know you were sensitive to the elements.

[bleakdecember]

...I appreciate the thought.[Through gritted teeth, but it sounds genuine.

He does. He can't deny that it is convenient, and a kind act. And none of this is Neuvi's fault, really. It's just that the last magic entity he ran into is... unpleasant, and stuck inhabiting him. The raven laughs at all this.]

You'd best be careful, doing... that sort of thing out in the open. You never know who might notice.

[godmaker]

I am unused to ... others noticing. I have not been in such a populated area in a long time. Thank you for the concern.

[He nods to himself.] All this time and we have not exchanged names. I am Neuvillette. What do I call you?

[bleakdecember]

[He's a judge and here for work, but isn't used to such a populated area? Kaisou is a city but it's not that big. Hmmm.

He considers. Neuvilette would be a useful ally for his career, but Goro still curls up at the idea of exposing his magic. Too many habits ground into him. But... but...]

Goro Akechi. You haven't been here long, have you?

[godmaker]

[Meanwhile Neuvillette is just like ??? I can mentor this sleep-deprived kid. Mine now.]

No, I flew in just last week. Still getting settled. How about you?

[bleakdecember]

[Neuvi picking up on the extreme fatherless behavior and taking him in: my apprentice now.]

Ah...

I've been here for a bit. Transferred here recently. This city is... [He sips his coffee thoughtfully. He's been trying to ignore it. To pretend it's not happening.] Strange things happen here.

[godmaker]

Strange isn't always malignant.

[He folds his hands on the table, keeping them in view, to put Goro at ease. The way he reacted to what frankly was a child's ability was not normal, if he could perceive the 'strange things'.]

That is why I came here, in fact. There are good things too.

[bleakdecember]

[Maybe, but it sure as hell isn't good. He taps his fingers on the wood of the table, clearly agitated and anxious but without an outlet for it.

Drinking a bunch of caffeine won't help, but there are worse coping mechanisms.]

Those things should mind their own business. [Clearly, it's personal for him.] Some of us are just trying to live our lives in peace.

[godmaker]

Do not be so close-minded.

[It's a chiding tone, not really accusatory.] One should not judge without all possible evidence laid out. You should know this as a student of law.

[bleakdecember]

[Close-minded?! The chiding tone, somehow, only makes him bristle more. Especially with Neuvi turning his studies back on him. His clenches his fists in his lap.]

Then clearly we've had very different experiences. [The venom in his voice is only barely restrained.]