[Well, he said he'd test out her drinks so there he'll be just in a bit, just as promised. Luckily for him it seems to be a rather sleepy day for bar Lupin, as there's only a couple of patrons scattered around the tables, seemingly content just to nurse their own drinks and what not. So, when Goro arrives he walks to counter and takes a seat, flashing her one of his charming smiles.
Oh, the uniform is actually kinda cute on her. Despite his feelings towards Dazai he does like the atmosphere of the place.]
[The smile she gives him is genuine, at least, though her own eyebrows quirk a little at the charming smile. Weird contrast, not necessarily needed after everything they've been through, but nice to see nonetheless.]
Think about what you wanna order, okay? I'm gonna go check on some of the others.
[It's not crowded, but she is Incapable of not checking in on people before tending to her own needs (a friend's arrival). It won't take longer than a minute or two for her to circle back around and plop her elbows on the table to wait for his order.]
[He only waves at her as she hurries after to the other patrons, and then turns his attention to the bottles behind the counter. He's only familiar with mixology in theoretical level, having no real experience with which ingredients go with which spirits or so. Muhen made sure to respect the alcohol laws and only served him mocktails during his visits.
When she returns Akechi is already leaning forward, elbows on the counter and all.]
[She snorts a little bit of a laugh and moves away behind the counter to get a glass and- fill it with mineral water.]
This one, I can't mess up! [With a bit of a sparkle in her eye as she sets it down in front of him. She'll make him a real cocktail in a minute! But first she has to make sure his expectations are low, because she is very much still learning.]
I guess I shouldn't be surprised you're okay coming here, even after what happened with Dazai-san.
[After their fight, she's starting to understand that Goro kind of is a little freak where violence is concerned.]
[Anyway, she moves away from him to pull a notebook out from her apron and start studying the bottles arrayed. Hmmm... a cocktail for Akechi... After a moment's deliberation, she flips back further in her notebook and starts setting aside some bottles. Apricot brandy, sloe gin, ice. If she mixes it right, it should be a nice sweet and sour cocktail, which seems appropriate for him.
She snorts at the idea of him being scared.]
Not really. But if somebody broke my finger in an underground bar, I probably wouldn't go back. You, though? I think when they made the expression "glutton for punishment," they were talking about you.
[Akechi tilts his head to the left while watching her work, paying a great attention to the way she moves her hands. But then she says that and he makes a face.]
Please. I'm not a masochist, unlike certain other people you know.
It's not nice to talk about Akira when he's not here to defend himself.
[Said with a teasing tone to her voice. Her hands don't shake, and she doesn't look nervous at least, just trying to be as precise as possible -- which sometimes means pouring just a little bit. Then a little bit more. Then a little bit more- she's trying.]
You used to spend time at a jazz bar, right? Maybe you should be doing this instead of me.
I-- [AHEM. Akechi clears his throat, still looking pretty sour tho. So, yes. Kotone is picking a right drink for me.]
Why do you think I'm talking about Akira?
[Ew, gross. Anyway, he looks down at her pouring the liquids, raising his brow a bit.]
Yes, as a customer, Kotone. Muhen always prepared the drinks behind the counter and brought them to table so I can't say I have much experience with tending the bar.
[She tosses him a smile and a wink. Whether Goro was talking about him originally or not, she knows that description of Akira is correct. And don't "ew, gross," her. She gets enough of that from Dazai about Chuuya, she doesn't need a second pair of idiots underfoot.]
Were you close? With Muhen-san, I mean.
[Satisfied with the amounts of liquor, she adds some lime juice and dumps them into a shaker with ice and proceeds to, you know. Shake it. As one does. Now, she's supposed to strain the ice out, but it's probably fine to just pour it over ice into another glass? If it gets watered down, that's probably fine. A thin slice of lime on the rim of the glass to make it look extra-fancy, and she sets it on the bar with a proud smile.]
[He'll just roll his eyes at that, letting her know that he's not happy with her assessment. Look, he could have as well meant Dazai!! He might not be into pain but he's into danger and death so!
And sorry, he's very much "ew, gross"-camp whenever it comes to feelings or anything.]
Not really. [A half-truth. Muhen saw the same side of him that everyone else did too. A phony prince with his fake smile and all. But.. he did, treat him differently than the most, not giving two shits about his celebrity status and seeing just another patron. It was something Akechi appreciated in him. And in someway, he did miss the grouchy club owner and his presence.
Akechi leans forward to inspect the drink. Well, it does look pretty impressive! Especially considering that she's only worked here for a rather short amount of time. Must be the protag powers]
[She just hums, not certain she believes him. Considering he seems to be on a first-name basis with the man, she'd guess they're closer than Goro would be willing to admit. But even still, she lets him have that, instead grabbing her notebook from where she'd left it by the shaker and flipping the page back.]
"Charlie Chaplin." It's one of the ones that was on the original bar's menu. Dazai-san showed me how to make it, kind of.
[It's Dazai, so that's probably an explanation of the teaching method in and of itself. She slips her notebook back into her apron and takes another look around the bar, making sure nobody's trying to get her attention, before leaning both elbows on it to give him another smile.]
I think it's the perfect one for you. Should be equal parts sweet and sour, with a little bit of bitterness.
[He picks up glass and slowly sniffs the liquid, carefully appreciating the subtle hints of the flavors. Unfortunately (??), the citrus covers the smell of booze, making him to overlook it.]
He truly was an interesting person. Did you know that he was actually banned from United States for over twenty years because of his "controversial" political views and actions. He was accused of communism back in the day you see and -- [He takes a good sip of his drink....]
[Aaand he regrets that immediately. The overwhelming taste of alcohol hits him like a truck, torturing his poor tongue and taste buds.
Oh, Fuck. This is somehow worse than the freaking takoyaki incident.
He really wants to spit it out but... Braces himself and swallows it. The tears are threatening gather up in his eyes as the burning liquid travels down his throat. Be brave, Akechi. Be brave.]
A-and Chaplin was targeted b-by no other than George Orwell himself, w-which caused this whole... scandal. [if you think he sounds weak and shaky? Yeah, you're right. But at least he's keeping a brave face!]
[Well, she was taught by Dazai, so... her proud smile fades into something closer to concern as his voice starts to shake.]
Is it too strong...?
[While it's kind of cute to let him go on about weird American trivia, but she is simply not going to retain a single word of it or ask any follow-up questions. Thanks, Goro! Nerd.]
Ah, n-no! Not at all. [He hurries to reassure her, forcing his voice and expression to stay steady. See! He's totally fine!]
I was just surprised a little by the rather distinguishable taste, that's all. H-haha. [And to demonstrate just how fine he is Akechi takes another, much sizeable, gulp of his drink. It doesn't quite burn the same way the second time but he can definitely still taste nothing but the overwhelming alcohol. He can feel the way it goes straight to his head, bringing a faint pink flush to his cheeks.
[She hums, unconvinced, but if he wants to drink it, she isn't going to stop him. Let her just pour some juice for herself -- just juice, she's working! -- and pull out a bowl of pretzels from beneath the counter. It's not food, but it's something for Goro to snack on if he wants.]
I'll keep working on it. [Maybe try tasting some of them as she goes just to see as well? But, as long as it's Adequate enough that he won't spit it out, it'll have to do.]
So, you were thinking about if you were offered the chance to go back, huh?
[Just let him live! But he's glad that the attention is shifted to somewhere else. He places the cocktail back on the counter and takes a sip from the mineral water, hoping that it'd help to calm down the chaos of flavor within is mouth and freshen the smell of his breath.. Which well, it doesn't do that good job with.]
Hm? Ah, well. [he shrugs and lowers his glass.] Leaving this place has been my goal since the day one and nothing has changed that would've changed that.
[Another half-truth. He still wants to leave this prison, to claim back the control over his life and choices.. But to say that nothing has happened during his stay in Aldrip is nothing but a dishonest statement.]
[She doesn't believe it for a second. "Nothing" has happened? Nothing that might make him want to keep living? If she takes it at face value, it's kind of sad, but she simply can't believe it, not when he looks like he has so much fun with Akira and the others. Even going so far as to challenge her to a stupid duel in the moonlight -- if it wasn't bothering him, he wouldn't have messaged her, that she has to believe.]
I told you the circumstances around my arrival to here. [About what happened with Maruki, and how this world is nothing but continuation of the violation of his own free will. So, out of all people here he thought that she along with Akira would be able to understand his desire to escape this prison.]
And I told you, it's still your choice to take your life back.
[Dying just for the sake of making a point? Because you have the freedom to choose? Making your own choices and staying alive is a more powerful statement than just dying a second time to prove a point.
Maybe he'll understand her perspective more if she explains. With a sigh, she draws her juice closer and draws an idle pattern in the condensation.]
I made a promise. [First and foremost.] To all my friends. We're supposed to meet on the roof for graduation. If we go back to the exact time we left, then... there's still a chance they could show up. I could see them once last time.
[Maybe not Shinji, and with Ken here, it's a little blurrier, but the others are still... maybe they'll come.]
[It's more than just prove a point to him. To give up his life to save the Phantom Thieves, so that they'd finish what he couldn't and change Shido's heart, had been the first choice in ages that he felt like was his alone and not something that was influenced by someone else.
..Not to mention it did work as a perfect escape to him. A way out from having to face himself, who he is and what he's done. He knows that deep down it was a coward's choice masked with noble intentions. Another lie and faked act of goodness.]
And that promise is worth of dying for? [He takes another sip from his cocktail, managing the liquid down without much struggle this time.]
[Shrug! and a sip from her juice. That's the easy answer, and she could leave it at that, but, well... Goro's probably the only person who she'd be able to tell who wouldn't try to change her mind. Even Dazai had said he'd want her to come back with him, if it were possible. It's nice, to know people would still want her around, but even still...]
I didn't die 'cause we lost the battle, or I messed up and got killed, or anything like that. Nyx is unkillable. All that could be done is put something in the way to stop her.
[Her smile is wan, resigned, as she shrugs.]
That's me. "The Great Seal." That's what I'm supposed to be right now, a barrier between Nyx and... something. If there's no barrier, the whole world falls victim to Apathy Syndrome. I wanted to hang on until graduation, but...
[Another shrug as she looks into her juice glass and exhales a quiet sigh.]
Don't tell Aragaki-senpai. He doesn't know.
Edited (WOULDN'T try to change her mind smfh typos) 2023-07-02 13:35 (UTC)
[He's the last person to who'd try to change someone's else's mind or compromise their autonomy. Not when his own agenda is so important to him. He might not be able to understand Kotone's choices, but he respects them altogether.
Resting chin against his right arm he traces circles around the rim of his glass with his fingers. Ah, so another case of self-sacrificing hero. Not surprising, knowing her type. But the scenario she paints does fill in some gaps regarding her previous story .]
So, is there a danger for her to return now that you're here? Is that why you want to return?
[She sags back against the wall opposite, keeping her juice cupped in both hands as she shrugs.]
Ken-kun is from my future. It definitely sounds like I'm dead there, and Apathy Syndrome hasn't taken over the world. You and Akira are from my future too, and clearly it hasn't affected you guys, either. So...
[She holds up a hand, palm up, as if offering him her conclusion on a platter.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Oh, the uniform is actually kinda cute on her. Despite his feelings towards Dazai he does like the atmosphere of the place.]
Hello. You are looking rather sharp, Kotone.
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[The smile she gives him is genuine, at least, though her own eyebrows quirk a little at the charming smile. Weird contrast, not necessarily needed after everything they've been through, but nice to see nonetheless.]
Think about what you wanna order, okay? I'm gonna go check on some of the others.
[It's not crowded, but she is Incapable of not checking in on people before tending to her own needs (a friend's arrival). It won't take longer than a minute or two for her to circle back around and plop her elbows on the table to wait for his order.]
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When she returns Akechi is already leaning forward, elbows on the counter and all.]
I'll have whatever the bartender here recommends.
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This one, I can't mess up! [With a bit of a sparkle in her eye as she sets it down in front of him. She'll make him a real cocktail in a minute! But first she has to make sure his expectations are low, because she is very much still learning.]
I guess I shouldn't be surprised you're okay coming here, even after what happened with Dazai-san.
[After their fight, she's starting to understand that Goro kind of is a little freak where violence is concerned.]
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[He her a little, taking the glass and sipping from it. Thank you for remembering his weird dislike towards the local tap water.]
Hm, you don't think I'm scared of Dazai-san?
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[Anyway, she moves away from him to pull a notebook out from her apron and start studying the bottles arrayed. Hmmm... a cocktail for Akechi... After a moment's deliberation, she flips back further in her notebook and starts setting aside some bottles. Apricot brandy, sloe gin, ice. If she mixes it right, it should be a nice sweet and sour cocktail, which seems appropriate for him.
She snorts at the idea of him being scared.]
Not really. But if somebody broke my finger in an underground bar, I probably wouldn't go back. You, though? I think when they made the expression "glutton for punishment," they were talking about you.
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Please. I'm not a masochist, unlike certain other people you know.
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[Said with a teasing tone to her voice. Her hands don't shake, and she doesn't look nervous at least, just trying to be as precise as possible -- which sometimes means pouring just a little bit. Then a little bit more. Then a little bit more- she's trying.]
You used to spend time at a jazz bar, right? Maybe you should be doing this instead of me.
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Why do you think I'm talking about Akira?
[Ew, gross. Anyway, he looks down at her pouring the liquids, raising his brow a bit.]
Yes, as a customer, Kotone. Muhen always prepared the drinks behind the counter and brought them to table so I can't say I have much experience with tending the bar.
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[She tosses him a smile and a wink. Whether Goro was talking about him originally or not, she knows that description of Akira is correct. And don't "ew, gross," her. She gets enough of that from Dazai about Chuuya, she doesn't need a second pair of idiots underfoot.]
Were you close? With Muhen-san, I mean.
[Satisfied with the amounts of liquor, she adds some lime juice and dumps them into a shaker with ice and proceeds to, you know. Shake it. As one does. Now, she's supposed to strain the ice out, but it's probably fine to just pour it over ice into another glass? If it gets watered down, that's probably fine. A thin slice of lime on the rim of the glass to make it look extra-fancy, and she sets it on the bar with a proud smile.]
Ta-da!
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And sorry, he's very much "ew, gross"-camp whenever it comes to feelings or anything.]
Not really. [A half-truth. Muhen saw the same side of him that everyone else did too. A phony prince with his fake smile and all. But.. he did, treat him differently than the most, not giving two shits about his celebrity status and seeing just another patron. It was something Akechi appreciated in him. And in someway, he did miss the grouchy club owner and his presence.
Akechi leans forward to inspect the drink. Well, it does look pretty impressive! Especially considering that she's only worked here for a rather short amount of time. Must be the protag powers]
So. What's this called?
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"Charlie Chaplin." It's one of the ones that was on the original bar's menu. Dazai-san showed me how to make it, kind of.
[It's Dazai, so that's probably an explanation of the teaching method in and of itself. She slips her notebook back into her apron and takes another look around the bar, making sure nobody's trying to get her attention, before leaning both elbows on it to give him another smile.]
I think it's the perfect one for you. Should be equal parts sweet and sour, with a little bit of bitterness.
1/2
[He picks up glass and slowly sniffs the liquid, carefully appreciating the subtle hints of the flavors. Unfortunately (??), the citrus covers the smell of booze, making him to overlook it.]
He truly was an interesting person. Did you know that he was actually banned from United States for over twenty years because of his "controversial" political views and actions. He was accused of communism back in the day you see and -- [He takes a good sip of his drink....]
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Oh, Fuck. This is somehow worse than the freaking takoyaki incident.
He really wants to spit it out but... Braces himself and swallows it. The tears are threatening gather up in his eyes as the burning liquid travels down his throat. Be brave, Akechi. Be brave.]
A-and Chaplin was targeted b-by no other than George Orwell himself, w-which caused this whole... scandal. [if you think he sounds weak and shaky? Yeah, you're right. But at least he's keeping a brave face!]
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Is it too strong...?
[While it's kind of cute to let him go on about weird American trivia, but she is simply not going to retain a single word of it or ask any follow-up questions. Thanks, Goro! Nerd.]
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I was just surprised a little by the rather distinguishable taste, that's all. H-haha. [And to demonstrate just how fine he is Akechi takes another, much sizeable, gulp of his drink. It doesn't quite burn the same way the second time but he can definitely still taste nothing but the overwhelming alcohol. He can feel the way it goes straight to his head, bringing a faint pink flush to his cheeks.
Thank god the mineral water is still there.]
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I'll keep working on it. [Maybe try tasting some of them as she goes just to see as well? But, as long as it's Adequate enough that he won't spit it out, it'll have to do.]
So, you were thinking about if you were offered the chance to go back, huh?
the bartender me wants to scold kotone so bad
Hm? Ah, well. [he shrugs and lowers his glass.] Leaving this place has been my goal since the day one and nothing has changed that would've changed that.
[Another half-truth. He still wants to leave this prison, to claim back the control over his life and choices.. But to say that nothing has happened during his stay in Aldrip is nothing but a dishonest statement.]
she tried!! 😔 she simply doesn't know
[She doesn't believe it for a second. "Nothing" has happened? Nothing that might make him want to keep living? If she takes it at face value, it's kind of sad, but she simply can't believe it, not when he looks like he has so much fun with Akira and the others. Even going so far as to challenge her to a stupid duel in the moonlight -- if it wasn't bothering him, he wouldn't have messaged her, that she has to believe.]
Why are you in such a hurry to go back?
SMH....
I told you the circumstances around my arrival to here. [About what happened with Maruki, and how this world is nothing but continuation of the violation of his own free will. So, out of all people here he thought that she along with Akira would be able to understand his desire to escape this prison.]
Why wouldn't you want to stay?
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[Dying just for the sake of making a point? Because you have the freedom to choose? Making your own choices and staying alive is a more powerful statement than just dying a second time to prove a point.
Maybe he'll understand her perspective more if she explains. With a sigh, she draws her juice closer and draws an idle pattern in the condensation.]
I made a promise. [First and foremost.] To all my friends. We're supposed to meet on the roof for graduation. If we go back to the exact time we left, then... there's still a chance they could show up. I could see them once last time.
[Maybe not Shinji, and with Ken here, it's a little blurrier, but the others are still... maybe they'll come.]
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..Not to mention it did work as a perfect escape to him. A way out from having to face himself, who he is and what he's done. He knows that deep down it was a coward's choice masked with noble intentions. Another lie and faked act of goodness.]
And that promise is worth of dying for? [He takes another sip from his cocktail, managing the liquid down without much struggle this time.]
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[Shrug! and a sip from her juice. That's the easy answer, and she could leave it at that, but, well... Goro's probably the only person who she'd be able to tell who wouldn't try to change her mind. Even Dazai had said he'd want her to come back with him, if it were possible. It's nice, to know people would still want her around, but even still...]
I didn't die 'cause we lost the battle, or I messed up and got killed, or anything like that. Nyx is unkillable. All that could be done is put something in the way to stop her.
[Her smile is wan, resigned, as she shrugs.]
That's me. "The Great Seal." That's what I'm supposed to be right now, a barrier between Nyx and... something. If there's no barrier, the whole world falls victim to Apathy Syndrome. I wanted to hang on until graduation, but...
[Another shrug as she looks into her juice glass and exhales a quiet sigh.]
Don't tell Aragaki-senpai. He doesn't know.
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Resting chin against his right arm he traces circles around the rim of his glass with his fingers. Ah, so another case of self-sacrificing hero. Not surprising, knowing her type. But the scenario she paints does fill in some gaps regarding her previous story .]
So, is there a danger for her to return now that you're here? Is that why you want to return?
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[She sags back against the wall opposite, keeping her juice cupped in both hands as she shrugs.]
Ken-kun is from my future. It definitely sounds like I'm dead there, and Apathy Syndrome hasn't taken over the world. You and Akira are from my future too, and clearly it hasn't affected you guys, either. So...
[She holds up a hand, palm up, as if offering him her conclusion on a platter.]
Something has to be holding her back.
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