[He probably should have thought ahead when darts were suggested. Sure, he liked the game, but he should have expected the unfortunate memory of Akira Kurusu being conjured into his mind. He hates it, because does that mean he can't functionally do any of the things he once did with or around the thief? Is jazz going to be forever tainted with multicolored drinks in pale hands, straws between pretty lips?]
[He misses the dartboard entirely.]
[He's also nearly hyperventilating, so he takes his remaining to darts with him to extract the one from the wall about four inches to the left and down, and turns to Diluc with posture wound so tight he looks a bit like he's being puppeteered, speaking thinly.] Apologies, [He can't come up with an excuse to leave, and he certainly isn't going to ask to rethrow his wayward dart, but now he also can't even begin to crunch out how he's meant to proceed with his score. So he just stands there, trying so hard to breathe normally he's circled back around to taking in over-exaggerated lungfuls of air, holding them, and exhaling in odd bursts.]
[Every other blink Diluc looks like Akira. He's going to be sick if he keeps looking at him, so he averts his gaze to the ground, curling his fingers so tightly around his darts the leather of his gloves creaks.] ...I'm sorry.
[No, no, what point would there be in asking to continue on when Akechi is clearly unsettled? By what, Diluc does not know, and by what he won't inquire, aware enough to leave the man be while knowing too little to pry. It's better that they end things here.]
Take a seat, will you? I'll fetch us some water.
[He doesn't wait for a response before urging the darts out of Akechi's grip and setting them back by the board, wandering to the bar to return with two glasses of water.]
...I won't ask what it is that stirred such a reaction out of you, but I'd suggest you don't indulge it.
[Whoever or whatever Akechi sees when he looks at him? He shouldn't. To that end, a suggestion.]
We'll refrain from playing darts in future meetings. If and until that feeling in you passes, I'm not wont to bring it out of you a second time.
[Diluc knows all too well what it feels like to suffer the afterimages of people no longer here, of old memories turned bitter with time. He won't afflict Akechi on purpose.]
[He does as requested, mostly because he's pretty sure if he doesn't sit down his knees will drop him, and he carefully draws in a breath to hold. He exhales slowly, counting backward from ten, and is drawing in another lungful of air when Diluc returns with glasses of water. He's startlingly gracious as he takes it and sips at it carefully.]
...the way you play reminds me quite starkly of someone from home, is all. It'll pass. [He does appreciate Diluc's directness, but he also refuses to allow the ghost of Akira Kurusu in his mind's eye to permanently ruin darts for him.] I'm sorry for dissolving our game, perhaps I will have my wits about me in the future to request a rematch.
[That concession is more than good enough for Diluc. He nods, settling back and eyeing the door. No doubt Akechi could use some time on his own to get his wits about him again and we need to end this thread and start a new one for feb, winks.]
Think nothing of it. I'll give you your space, but if you fancy another game in the future, you'll know where to find me.
[With that, Diluc turns to leave. With any luck, any future games they may have will go a little more smoothly. Oh, and good luck with your Akira problem, bro. Sounds rough.]
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[He misses the dartboard entirely.]
[He's also nearly hyperventilating, so he takes his remaining to darts with him to extract the one from the wall about four inches to the left and down, and turns to Diluc with posture wound so tight he looks a bit like he's being puppeteered, speaking thinly.] Apologies, [He can't come up with an excuse to leave, and he certainly isn't going to ask to rethrow his wayward dart, but now he also can't even begin to crunch out how he's meant to proceed with his score. So he just stands there, trying so hard to breathe normally he's circled back around to taking in over-exaggerated lungfuls of air, holding them, and exhaling in odd bursts.]
[Every other blink Diluc looks like Akira. He's going to be sick if he keeps looking at him, so he averts his gaze to the ground, curling his fingers so tightly around his darts the leather of his gloves creaks.] ...I'm sorry.
no subject
Take a seat, will you? I'll fetch us some water.
[He doesn't wait for a response before urging the darts out of Akechi's grip and setting them back by the board, wandering to the bar to return with two glasses of water.]
...I won't ask what it is that stirred such a reaction out of you, but I'd suggest you don't indulge it.
[Whoever or whatever Akechi sees when he looks at him? He shouldn't. To that end, a suggestion.]
We'll refrain from playing darts in future meetings. If and until that feeling in you passes, I'm not wont to bring it out of you a second time.
[Diluc knows all too well what it feels like to suffer the afterimages of people no longer here, of old memories turned bitter with time. He won't afflict Akechi on purpose.]
no subject
...the way you play reminds me quite starkly of someone from home, is all. It'll pass. [He does appreciate Diluc's directness, but he also refuses to allow the ghost of Akira Kurusu in his mind's eye to permanently ruin darts for him.] I'm sorry for dissolving our game, perhaps I will have my wits about me in the future to request a rematch.
no subject
and we need to end this thread and start a new one for feb, winks.]Think nothing of it. I'll give you your space, but if you fancy another game in the future, you'll know where to find me.
[With that, Diluc turns to leave. With any luck, any future games they may have will go a little more smoothly. Oh, and good luck with your Akira problem, bro. Sounds rough.]