week 7 | wednesday

[concasse]

[Even knowing that Belph had already informed Akechi of his fate, Sanji decides to put a professional spin on this mess and seek out the teen for a chat. Might as well, right? It's by far the least lacking in strategy of all of his "jobs", and besides, Sanji has a question that both of them are gonna want answered.

So wherever Akechi is lurking, Sanji will find him, not even bothering with a greeting because sorry, he is here for business.]

We gotta talk, you and I.

Comments

[concasse]

Ah...

[Hadn't considered that, nope. Sometimes Sanji's faith in everyone keeping their shit together is staggering, naively so; even he's a little disappointed in himself.]

Alright, then he doesn't find out. Belph won't tell anyone but you, and I can't really say anything myself.

[doublecrows]

. . . hmph.

[Akechi drums his fingers against the cover of the book, resting his chin against the knuckles of his other hand]

He won't like that we didn't say anything, when he finds out. But it's for the best.

[. . .]

I'll tell you what I told Belph-san: I won't go easily.

[concasse]

He won't. But I'll tell him it was your choice. My hands were tied.

[As for that last comment... giving Akechi such a side-eye]

Oh sure, it's not like anyone else did.

[This tired, salty killer]

But fine, you want a fight? You'll get one. Pick the time and place, we'll do shit your way.

[doublecrows]

[this tired salty killer with like, the highest body count in the castle]

[a slow smile works its way onto Akechi's features, empty but still somehow challenging]

The jousting grounds. At midnight. Please, don't come assuming that you'll win.

[he says that lightly. he doesn't mean to smack talk, or even be threatening. Editor Sanji may be, but Akechi has come to respect him awfully fast. he just. . .]

[has to put up a fight. he has to struggle, to resist, or else everything will feel so pointless. he promised he'd live for certain people in the castle, and although he is so ready to die, he will do his best to honor that]

1/2

[concasse]

[Sanji's eyes narrow in on Akechi, no longer tired, suddenly, and it's very easy to see why he was chosen to do the Crafter's dirty work. He glances the teen over as if appraising a threat.]

... I told you everyone I had to kill, didn't I? Of them, the only person I had to use my style of fighting on was Sousei -- and I held out on him until the very end.

[concasse]

-- But if you're gonna make statements like that, then I'll fight you properly from start to finish.

[doublecrows]

[oh. yeah, that is absolutely the expression of an experienced fighter. Akechi picks up on it, and for a moment he feels his heart squeeze in his chest]

[but he brushes that feeling off quickly, to maintain his even calm]

. . . I appreciate that. Truly.

For as many secrets as this manor has forcibly ripped from my fingers, I am pleased to say that I still have a few up my sleeves.

[Sanji doesn't know about Loki. that's a trump card, right there]

[concasse]

[He hates it.

He hates that he's going to fight a teen who is probably only passable with a weapon, and that's it, against Sanji's decade's worth of experience kicking people until they're either unconscious or dead.

Eichi's boyfriend.

He's gonna take him away from one of the few people in this castle Sanji would give his life for.

... That's just how it goes, though, and Sanji's expression lightens, pretending just as hard as Akechi in the moment.]

Well... not gonna say I'm looking forward to it, exactly, but come at me with everything you got.

[...]

I'll leave my ability back in my room, alright?

So a fair fight.

[doublecrows]

The invisibility cloak?

[yeah, he remembered Sanji using that to approach him in the dungeon. no wonder he was so good at sneaking up on and killing people as an Editor. his experience and his gift really gave him an advantage]

Then, I won't use any dirty tricks.

[but he will use everything in his arsenal. it's been weeks since he's properly touched a sword-- his practice with Sousei was the only spar he's had since arriving at the castle-- but he thinks he can still tap into his skills. . .]

[he thinks that he'll be able to hold his own, even without the Metaverse strength and his Persona to back him up]

[maybe]

[concasse]

[Sanji eyes Akechi for another beat, though eventually nods in agreement with his reply.]

If there's anything else you want, better tell me now.

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

Will you continue to look after Rebecca?

[concasse]

[-- It's brief, but Sanji's expression flinches in pain and misery. He grits his teeth and looks away, eyes closed, until:]

Of course I will.

[doublecrows]

[he doesn't think he has to elaborate. his closeness to Rebecca is relatively new, brought on by the fact that they're the last two Historians standing. Sanji. . . likely knows her better than Akechi ever would]

[so he just silently nods, satisfied with that promise]