[Sanji is old (no he isn't) and grumpy (definitely true), so that smile gets a flat look of "bruh" before the chef flops down next to him, letting his feet dangle over the edge]
Nah.
[Shaking his head]
That's not why I'm here. Your ass was suspicious but I'm ... let's say I'm here on Heart's behalf.
[... Sanji considers that statement, and he doesn't ask the obvious question yet -- "what makes it so complicated?" It's because while he'd poked fun at Akira for being so obvious a pick, the chef considers himself a damned good candidate for the role he was given, and runs the calculations like he's flipping through a recipe book.
...]
I meant what I said. I'm here to trade and coordinate information. [Staring out at the water] So I won't ask anything without offering shit in return.
I wanna know what makes your role complicated, but you can ask for something I gotta give up for that privilege.
[incidentally. . . that's the best way to get Akira to open up. he feels the most comfortable when relationships are a give and take, and it shows in the way some of the tension seeps from his shoulders]
[. . .]
I want to know if you're working alone. If not. . . then I want to meet your partner, but I'll leave that part up to them.
Just tell me if this is a solo gig or not and pass that message on and I'll consider us even.
[Akira pulls his gaze from the lake to study Sanji carefully, his own expression neutral. and in the end. . .]
I can choose one person per week to protect, with the decision taking place on Mondays. If the person I protect is targeted, then I'm offered the opportunity to intervene.
[. . .]
I can intervene however I’d like, but I'm also reminded that "death is part of the competition."
This week I was going to shield anyone I felt was at risk. And I had planned to shield anyone with— well. With either a role, or otherwise important information about the game that can't be risked.
[WELL. he has some things to say to that, things like don't worry, I didn't plan on saying anything to anyone and if there is someone else out there with a role I'll be sure to tell you]
[but]
[then Sanji says that last thing and]
[THIS IS THE STARE OF A TEENAGER WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT HIM WHENEVER HE FUKKEN WANTS TO]
[UGH Akira is gonna be a little shit, Sanji can feel it in his SOUL--
Also he refuses to be deterred and after a moment of sullen thought:]
Protect Lili then. She's a valued member of the group. And I don't know about you, but I don't wanna see what happens if we were to lose her this early.
[A sigh. And it's really at this point Sanji just gives up on managing how much info he gives Akira.]
I was thinking of checking her out next, or maybe Dick, but if you got better considerations, I'm willing to listen.
... Fair enough. Dick it is. I would've been shooting into the dark one way or another.
[...]
Lili's outspoken and good at rallying people to her side, so I'm worried that'll make her a target. But Dick's so damned competent, that might be a problem for the same reasons. [A pause] I'm not as familiar with Chuuya, Escha-chan, or Guy.
[Though uh, his eyebrows still arch slightly at that last name]
[. . . mmmm. once he's done reeling in his line, he casts it out into the lake again, not speaking until the bait and hook are submerged into the water]
Chuuya, Escha and Lili might be targeted by someone trying to find Yu's real killer. And Guy--
[... He doesn't say it, but that just has him doubling down on Lili as a worthy target for protection. Escha-chan... he would not want to lose her, but the group as a whole would manage. Same with Chuuya.
[he shoots Sanji a grateful look at that. Guy's whole business isn't something for Akira to divulge, and he'd rather not]
No.
[. . . his face falls]
According to the footprints, it had to be either Lili, Ogata, Chuuya or Escha. But Chuuya and Lili's curfew effects were solid, and as for Ogata and Escha. . .
... Given the evidence we focused on, it would point to Escha-chan, since Ogata was innocent.
[He sees no point in beating around the bush. That said:]
But that's assuming we focused on the right evidence to begin with. For all we know, we pigeonholed ourselves into a trap, and all four of 'em were innocent.
[But he stops there, shaking his head and raking a hand through his hair. He's sure both he and Akira have had this conversation many times over the course of the weekend.]
Anyway, I was just wondering... Your list is pretty solid, so I'll leave it to you who to protect.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Nah.
[Shaking his head]
That's not why I'm here. Your ass was suspicious but I'm ... let's say I'm here on Heart's behalf.
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Worth looking suspicious to protect the person I was trying to protect.
[no regrets!!]
. . . if you're here for Heart, then you're one of those who can check a person each week to see their teams and special privileges, right?
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[Smirking widely, though again, it's not really the kind of statement that's met with any pride or enjoyment.]
You seemed like a nosy busybody always up someone's business, so I checked you first. Just think of my surprise when I got a hole in one.
[SANJI BE NICE??? BE NICE!!!]
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I really suck at this.
[this is why everyone figured out he was a phantom thief back home]
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[Not that Akira is wrong, everyone from a mile away could see that he was Up To Something, but Sanji reels back his bullshit for a hot second]
You're the one whose got the harder role, I bet... what is it, you can protect one person per week?
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[he says that lightly and with good humor as he finally casts his line, but a shadow falls across his expression once Sanji mentions his role]
And that's the gist of it, though there’s another layer that makes it more. . . complicated.
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...]
I meant what I said. I'm here to trade and coordinate information. [Staring out at the water] So I won't ask anything without offering shit in return.
I wanna know what makes your role complicated, but you can ask for something I gotta give up for that privilege.
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[. . .]
I want to know if you're working alone. If not. . . then I want to meet your partner, but I'll leave that part up to them.
Just tell me if this is a solo gig or not and pass that message on and I'll consider us even.
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[His voice is pointedly neutral when delivering the statement]
I work alone, and that's not gonna change, either -- but I'll extend a hand if you need help with anything.
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[Akira pulls his gaze from the lake to study Sanji carefully, his own expression neutral. and in the end. . .]
I can choose one person per week to protect, with the decision taking place on Mondays. If the person I protect is targeted, then I'm offered the opportunity to intervene.
[. . .]
I can intervene however I’d like, but I'm also reminded that "death is part of the competition."
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What's your criteria for protecting someone?
Right now, I pick anyone who seems likely to hold a role based off their actions, the number of people they interact with, shit like that...
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Last week I shielded myself.
[aha]
This week I was going to shield anyone I felt was at risk. And I had planned to shield anyone with— well. With either a role, or otherwise important information about the game that can't be risked.
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Oi, you shielded yourself? Did someone come after you?
[God wasn't he going to trade info for info? Well too late, he's shooting off questions like a concerned, irate parent]
And do you know anyone else with a role?
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No. But if someone had, I wanted the heads up to prepare.
[I wish I had shielded Yu instead goes unsaid]
And other than you? Nope. But based on the pattern so far, I'm sure Shadows has someone doing some extra work for them.
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According to Heart, if we're certain someone has a role, we can talk about it like we're doing and not deal with any shitty consequences.
Trade-off is I can't out you, and you can't out me. The roles gotta stay secret.
[Which is also cause for annoyance, but if Sanji starts listing his grievances now, they'll be here all day]
Also? Never protect me. Even if you've got no one better to protect. I can handle myself just fine.
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[but]
[then Sanji says that last thing and]
[THIS IS THE STARE OF A TEENAGER WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT HIM WHENEVER HE FUKKEN WANTS TO]
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[Where did the cool, levelheaded man go? He's been replaced by a shrieking banshee whose head swivels in Akira's direction]
Your role is more important! Protect yourself, you little shit, or I'll throw you into the goddamn lake!
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[takes all of Akira's willpower not to laugh. somehow, he manages!! and he slowly reels in the line he cast for. . . extra effect]
I protected myself last week; I can't do it again this week.
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Also he refuses to be deterred and after a moment of sullen thought:]
Protect Lili then. She's a valued member of the group. And I don't know about you, but I don't wanna see what happens if we were to lose her this early.
[A sigh. And it's really at this point Sanji just gives up on managing how much info he gives Akira.]
I was thinking of checking her out next, or maybe Dick, but if you got better considerations, I'm willing to listen.
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Lili was on my list, actually. Her, Dick, Chuuya, Escha. . . [a pause] Guy.
And out of those two I'd check Dick. I know Lili's team, and I doubt she has a role. But Dick I can't get a read on either way.
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[...]
Lili's outspoken and good at rallying people to her side, so I'm worried that'll make her a target. But Dick's so damned competent, that might be a problem for the same reasons. [A pause] I'm not as familiar with Chuuya, Escha-chan, or Guy.
[Though uh, his eyebrows still arch slightly at that last name]
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Chuuya, Escha and Lili might be targeted by someone trying to find Yu's real killer. And Guy--
[he]
[trails off]
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As for Guy:]
It ain't my business, so we can shelve that.
[Breezing along.]
You got any ideas on who Yu's killer actually is?
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No.
[. . . his face falls]
According to the footprints, it had to be either Lili, Ogata, Chuuya or Escha. But Chuuya and Lili's curfew effects were solid, and as for Ogata and Escha. . .
[he trails off]
I just. . . I just don't know.
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[He sees no point in beating around the bush. That said:]
But that's assuming we focused on the right evidence to begin with. For all we know, we pigeonholed ourselves into a trap, and all four of 'em were innocent.
[But he stops there, shaking his head and raking a hand through his hair. He's sure both he and Akira have had this conversation many times over the course of the weekend.]
Anyway, I was just wondering... Your list is pretty solid, so I'll leave it to you who to protect.
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