[Quiet... Hm. Diluc nods in understanding. He spent a good three years being perfectly alone, and while he does prefer it that way, it wasn't a perfect arrangement.]
I've spent most of my life in some degree of alone, I've grown to appreciate my space. [No, he's viciously, desperately lonely, but there's no way for him to say that without it sounding utterly pathetic. Which he also is, but, you know. Details.]
[And while he lies so effortlessly, he might notice Diluc's stare boring into him. He hasn't sussed Akechi out, not quite yet, but he trusts the uneasy feeling in his gut. He knows what it feels like to be lied to a little too well.]
And yet you're human, aren't you? It's only natural to feel lonesome from time to time. We're similar in that we prefer our solitude, but a man can't live without others.
[He doesn't quite stop the sardonic rattle of laughter that escapes him as he shakes his head, pushing some of his hair behind one ear.]
...no, I suppose not. Even still, I'm only really completely alone in my living space, both here and before. [But he's very much the sort who was alone in a room full of people. His own fault, of course, but the fact remains.]
[Sure thing. He'll be drinking his grape juice for the occasion.]
Is that so? Pardon my saying so, but you look pretty young. It's really none of my business, but it's a shame you've adopted a similar opinion at your age.
[NOT THAT DILUC IS MUCH OLDER.... NOT THAT DILUC DIDN'T CHANGE FOR THE WORSE AT 18...........]
[Akechi should not be drinking anything harder than grape juice himself, but it's fine. He tugs on the wrist of his gloves again, watching the leather crease between his fingers.]
I'm eighteen, [Which isn't said rudely, mind-- he doesn't mean it to suggest he isn't young, but in some ways it does make him "an adult". He knows he's still a child, regardless. That's part of the problem.] But I agree. Unfortunately we have little say in the hands we are dealt in life, only in how we play them.
[Oh, there's no judgment on Diluc's end, not when his life went to shit in the twilight of his teenage years. If anything, the gradual softening of his tone suggests he understands.]
I can't entirely disagree. We don't chose what family we're born into or when circumstances will make our lives harder.
[He's not going to start back on the topic that nearly got them into an argument earlier, however. Instead, he'll stick to what they both see eye-to-eye on.]
But I refuse to yield to my past. Even if the path I've chosen leads me into darkness, it's the path I've chosen for myself. Nothing can take that from me.
[His laugh is downright ugly at the mention of family, but it isn't viciously directed at Diluc, at least. In contrast, the second part of his statement resonates in such a way with him that Akechi turns to look him over, and he curls one of his hands into a fist until the leather of his glove creaks audibly.]
Well said. [His expression is-- well, it's something. It's a bit hard to tell what something it is, except that his jaw is set and his shoulders are pulled taut in a way that makes his posture look uncomfortable, but something about him is appreciative, all the same.]
[His smile is strained, but still an actual smile.]
It feels disingenuous to lie to you when you seem to be at least aware of a similar scenario if you aren't the one living it yourself. Still, it's... [He nods, his hand still balled into a fist at his side.] I've not had a choice but to be all right for most of my life, and when you fake something long enough it almost becomes true. [Damn, Diluc, how'd you already crack him open like an oyster?? Gotta be the trauma bonding.]
[Gee, doesn't that sound terribly familiar? Diluc would not consider himself an insincere person, but when he reflects back on the last four years of his life and then further back onto the boy he used to be, the difference is awfully stark.
The question remains, however, which Diluc is the real Diluc and which is the mask. He contemplates it, brow furrowed in thought. He's never met someone who understood the feeling as well as Akechi seems to. Is that a good thing? Bad? Foreign as it is, Diluc doesn't yet know.]
That's the danger of lying to yourself— you become a stranger to your own eyes. For what little it's worth, I understand.
[But what more can he say? Opening up... No, that isn't for him. Not anymore. convince him to drink and play some darts akechi]
[His posture is less tense, now. While he hates talking about the specifics of his situation, because he hates pity more than he hates himself, and people generally tend to pity that which is pitiful, it's... cathartic, to vaguely discuss Shit That Sucks with someone who understands. He appreciates Diluc a bit more, now.]
[Idly, he runs the palm of a gloved hand along the top of his forearm in something of a nervous gesture, staring long and hard at the ground between them before he snaps his head up with a funny sort of grimace.] Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, but... Being that we have an understanding of unfortunate circumstances, maybe we ought to keep in contact, moreso than the intent of this island requires. [He can't assume he'll be permitted friendship, given the last time it was attempted he regurgitated it in a full-on tantrum in the belly of a cognitive yacht like a cat who ate a bunch of grass.] There's... I hear there's a dart board at one of the local taverns. Have you ever played? [701 and 701 only is in your future, Diluc.]
[Ah. Diluc doesn't hear offers like these often, but... well, he gives it some actual thought. Considering what they have in common and their preference for meaningful conversation, what would it hurt to spend more time with Akechi?
After a moment's consideration, Diluc nods. Darts, eh? They're going to get along just fine.]
Naturally. [And he's quite good at darts to boot, but he'll leave Akechi to discover that on his own.] If you aren't occupied, I'll take you up on a game of 701.
[Ask him about the time he got so turnt he shattered a vase with a dart, Akechi.]
[Listen, Akechi has asked exactly one (1) other human to play darts with him in his entire fucking life, he's more than a little awkward about the suggestion of enjoying time spent with a person.]
[Regardless, when Diluc suggests 701 he smiles before he realizes it, the expression startlingly genuine. It makes him look younger, somehow, closer to his age instead of a grouchy old man.] Ah, so you're proficient. That's good to hear.
[Diluc might have to segue that one on his own, Akechi lacks the social graces to ask for personal anecdotes, he just word vomits and trauma dumps at random.]
[Similar as they are, Diluc's upbringing goes a long way to helping him keep conversations going when need be. He isn't a fan of small talk, but a bit of it is necessary to segue into more interesting conversations.]
Darts is a favorite hobby of mine alongside chess. I don't believe in doing things in half measures, so of course I'm proficient.
[...Yes, he's a noble, but he's a jaded one who doesn't care to blunt his tongue in company like Akechi's. Simply put, he can't imagine he'll mind it much.]
[Brothers from another mother..., Except they probably share the dead moms club hat, too, why are they just the same person. Akechi hums in thought, nodding with a surprisingly genuine smile to his features.]
I don't have a lot of experience with people my age, to be entirely honest, so it's quite pleasant that we have common ground.
[Another commonality they share: they interact more with people older than them as opposed to peers. As they approach the tavern, Diluc opens the door to allow Akechi in first. Force of habit, don't worry about it. He's not calling Akechi a delicate little lady by any means.]
I took over my late father's winery not too long ago. As you might expect, a lot of the people I work with are older than myself.
[And it sounds like Akechi knows the struggle, so...]
[Akechi stares Diluc down for a long handful of seconds while he holds the door open, trying to decide between his pride and the polite response. His shoulders, tense and squared off as they always are, release a fraction of their pressure along with his expression, and Goro files away another bit of information he has in common with Diluc. He strides inside with a shallow bow and a smile, pivoting to face him once inside.] Thank you,
[A hum, and he takes better stock of the tavern around them. It's mostly to avoid looking at Diluc while he decides how much truth and how much lie to feed him.]
I worked with the police during my third year of high school, but beyond that I'm just a student. [The whole psychological assassin thing is more of a party trick to pull out when he wants to sound impressive, maybe.]
[...Ah, so Akechi is involved with law enforcement. Diluc feels a few different ways about that, but none of those feelings are pressing enough to derail their conversation with. He'll see what caliber of man Akechi is in due time.
The tavern is nothing special, certainly not by Diluc's measure, but he's gracious enough to order himself a glass of grape juice and whatever Akechi might like before they make their way over to the dart board.]
Interesting. You must be quite diligent if you're able to balance both your studies and a career. How are your grades?
[Just curious, schoolboy. While Akechi answers, Diluc is assessing the condition of the darts looking over each of them with meticulous focus.]
[Well, his preference is a Mauser, so maybe-- oh he doesn't mean guns, does he. Have fun with that one, then, Diluc.]
[Akechi takes note of Diluc ordering grape juice, of all things, and orders something colorful with an umbrella in it to look like a cocktail with no alcohol. He sips it idly as they make their way to the dart board, chuckling.] I wasn't top of my class, simply for missing marks on attendance, but there wasn't much they taught I couldn't learn on what little of my own time I had.
[He takes note of the fact that Akechi has ordered a cocktail sans any alcohol, but he's underage, isn't he? Not so young that Diluc would say anything if he'd ordered a proper drink, but he notes it all the same.
As for the dart board... well, it's clearly seen better days, but it'll have to do for a quick round of 701. He hands Akechi his darts after balancing each on the tip of his finger, ensuring the weight is equally distributed across each and every one.]
I see. You sound quite confident of that.
[Which isn't a bad thing, of course, but it's what Diluc uses to determine which of them is going first, motioning for Akechi to step up to the board first. Show him what you've got, schoolboy.]
Well then, can I assume you've taught yourself how to play darts as well?
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And you never get lonely?
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I've spent most of my life in some degree of alone, I've grown to appreciate my space. [No, he's viciously, desperately lonely, but there's no way for him to say that without it sounding utterly pathetic. Which he also is, but, you know. Details.]
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And yet you're human, aren't you? It's only natural to feel lonesome from time to time. We're similar in that we prefer our solitude, but a man can't live without others.
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...no, I suppose not. Even still, I'm only really completely alone in my living space, both here and before. [But he's very much the sort who was alone in a room full of people. His own fault, of course, but the fact remains.]
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[In other words, he's severely jaded.]
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That holds true in my case, as well. [They should drink to it, sometime, but they're too busy being crabby old men.]
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Is that so? Pardon my saying so, but you look pretty young. It's really none of my business, but it's a shame you've adopted a similar opinion at your age.
[NOT THAT DILUC IS MUCH OLDER.... NOT THAT DILUC DIDN'T CHANGE FOR THE WORSE AT 18...........]
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I'm eighteen, [Which isn't said rudely, mind-- he doesn't mean it to suggest he isn't young, but in some ways it does make him "an adult". He knows he's still a child, regardless. That's part of the problem.] But I agree. Unfortunately we have little say in the hands we are dealt in life, only in how we play them.
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I can't entirely disagree. We don't chose what family we're born into or when circumstances will make our lives harder.
[He's not going to start back on the topic that nearly got them into an argument earlier, however. Instead, he'll stick to what they both see eye-to-eye on.]
But I refuse to yield to my past. Even if the path I've chosen leads me into darkness, it's the path I've chosen for myself. Nothing can take that from me.
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Well said. [His expression is-- well, it's something. It's a bit hard to tell what something it is, except that his jaw is set and his shoulders are pulled taut in a way that makes his posture look uncomfortable, but something about him is appreciative, all the same.]
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Are you alright?
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It feels disingenuous to lie to you when you seem to be at least aware of a similar scenario if you aren't the one living it yourself. Still, it's... [He nods, his hand still balled into a fist at his side.] I've not had a choice but to be all right for most of my life, and when you fake something long enough it almost becomes true. [Damn, Diluc, how'd you already crack him open like an oyster?? Gotta be the trauma bonding.]
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The question remains, however, which Diluc is the real Diluc and which is the mask. He contemplates it, brow furrowed in thought. He's never met someone who understood the feeling as well as Akechi seems to. Is that a good thing? Bad? Foreign as it is, Diluc doesn't yet know.]
That's the danger of lying to yourself— you become a stranger to your own eyes. For what little it's worth, I understand.
[But what more can he say? Opening up... No, that isn't for him. Not anymore.
convince him to drink and play some darts akechi]no subject
[Idly, he runs the palm of a gloved hand along the top of his forearm in something of a nervous gesture, staring long and hard at the ground between them before he snaps his head up with a funny sort of grimace.] Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, but... Being that we have an understanding of unfortunate circumstances, maybe we ought to keep in contact, moreso than the intent of this island requires. [He can't assume he'll be permitted friendship, given the last time it was attempted he regurgitated it in a full-on tantrum in the belly of a cognitive yacht like a cat who ate a bunch of grass.] There's... I hear there's a dart board at one of the local taverns. Have you ever played? [701 and 701 only is in your future, Diluc.]
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After a moment's consideration, Diluc nods. Darts, eh? They're going to get along just fine.]
Naturally. [And he's quite good at darts to boot, but he'll leave Akechi to discover that on his own.] If you aren't occupied, I'll take you up on a game of 701.
[Ask him about the time he got so turnt he shattered a vase with a dart, Akechi.]
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[Regardless, when Diluc suggests 701 he smiles before he realizes it, the expression startlingly genuine. It makes him look younger, somehow, closer to his age instead of a grouchy old man.] Ah, so you're proficient. That's good to hear.
[Diluc might have to segue that one on his own, Akechi lacks the social graces to ask for personal anecdotes, he just word vomits and trauma dumps at random.]
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Darts is a favorite hobby of mine alongside chess. I don't believe in doing things in half measures, so of course I'm proficient.
[...Yes, he's a noble, but he's a jaded one who doesn't care to blunt his tongue in company like Akechi's. Simply put, he can't imagine he'll mind it much.]
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Chess, as well? We have quite a lot in common.
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That seems to be the case. It isn't often I run into people around my age with similar interests.
[They're both elderly............]
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I don't have a lot of experience with people my age, to be entirely honest, so it's quite pleasant that we have common ground.
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I took over my late father's winery not too long ago. As you might expect, a lot of the people I work with are older than myself.
[And it sounds like Akechi knows the struggle, so...]
What do you do, Akechi?
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[A hum, and he takes better stock of the tavern around them. It's mostly to avoid looking at Diluc while he decides how much truth and how much lie to feed him.]
I worked with the police during my third year of high school, but beyond that I'm just a student. [The whole psychological assassin thing is more of a party trick to pull out when he wants to sound impressive, maybe.]
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The tavern is nothing special, certainly not by Diluc's measure, but he's gracious enough to order himself a glass of grape juice and whatever Akechi might like before they make their way over to the dart board.]
Interesting. You must be quite diligent if you're able to balance both your studies and a career. How are your grades?
[Just curious, schoolboy. While Akechi answers, Diluc is assessing the condition of the darts looking over each of them with meticulous focus.]
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[Akechi takes note of Diluc ordering grape juice, of all things, and orders something colorful with an umbrella in it to look like a cocktail with no alcohol. He sips it idly as they make their way to the dart board, chuckling.] I wasn't top of my class, simply for missing marks on attendance, but there wasn't much they taught I couldn't learn on what little of my own time I had.
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As for the dart board... well, it's clearly seen better days, but it'll have to do for a quick round of 701. He hands Akechi his darts after balancing each on the tip of his finger, ensuring the weight is equally distributed across each and every one.]
I see. You sound quite confident of that.
[Which isn't a bad thing, of course, but it's what Diluc uses to determine which of them is going first, motioning for Akechi to step up to the board first. Show him what you've got, schoolboy.]
Well then, can I assume you've taught yourself how to play darts as well?
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holy maladjusted youths batman
THAT'S THEM
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