Call Me Out Meme;

[arkaniae]

【the ❝CALL ME OUT❞ meme】
a roleplay meme to inspire muses.

★ Active; Currently in game
★ Strong; Confident in voice
★ Medium; Confident enough, but needs review
★ Medium; Not confident yet and needs review
★ Weak; Needs canon review
★ Weaker; Have not been able to voice test


【♛】refer to the list above for muses.
【♛】post "calling" one of them out — you can do so by putting their name in the subject line!
【♛】can be informal/formal/comment spam/crosscanon/whatever tickles your fancy!
(just know that smut will probably not happen, but I can try.)
【♛】feel free to make up a scenario at the start, refer to memes, or wait to see what happens on their own.
【♛】i'm up for anything, but here's a list of muses I want to play the most at this point of time.
【♛】i am able to pull out whomever, but some journals may require canon review or linking icons.
【♛】i basically put down entire muselist with journal and icons, but you may always refer back to this
if you would like to know about the character/canon better if provided.

Completed【♛】Active【✔】Pending【✿】Dropped【✖】

Comments

Emily

[relativelyfast]

[Leaving was the hardest part.]

[Fighting the agents of Talon? Leaping into action despite a law that forbade her from doing so? The myriad of other challenges that awaited on even the most basic of missions? None of them phased Lena Oxton. But whenever it came time to leave her flat, the butterflies started fluttering.]

[Tonight was a routine patrol. They didn't know if they'd run into any trouble. Still, as she slipped her chronal accelerator on. Her hand lingered over the cool metal, right where Doomfist grabbed the previous version and crushed it. I'll stay safe, she told herself. I'll stay safe and come back to her.]

[And now came the hardest part of all, where she'd step into the living room and force a smile and say goodbye to Emily like she was just heading to a corner office to file paperwork. She could push through anything with a smile, after all. Everyone expected that. She pushed the bedroom door open and stepped out into the living room.]

Well love, guess I gotta dash off and keep the world safe again. You don't have to wait up.

And then I realize how limited icons are lol

[lovescarves]

[Emily hated it. She hated the fact that Lena had to risk her life all of the time. She knew that this was something important, not just to Lena but the world as a whole..... but even so.

It scared her. It scared her to think about what might happen to her when she's out fighting. She imagined that this was how people felt when their loved ones joined the military. Emily was well aware of how important it was and that she had no right holding Lena back from doing what she needed to, but every time she had to say goodbye to her, she always felt horrible.

She was going to be leaving soon. Today was just another day where she'd say "come home safe" and kiss her goodbye, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She let ot a small, troubled sigh.

Let her go, Emily. She needed to leave.... Let he--

She couldn't. Not this time. She pushed herelf off of the couch and grabbed her hand.]

Do you have to...? [Her grip tightened slightly unknowingly to her.] Please don't go.

Another reason why we need more Emily.

[relativelyfast]

[Lena always waited to put on her gloves until she left the flat. She wanted to feel Emily's touch, the softness of her hand just a second or two longer. When she saw no cure in sight and thought she might spend the rest of her life as a ghost, it wasn't the feel of a spring breeze on her cheek or the smells of her favorite pub that she missed the most. It was small moments like these. She'd never taken them for granted again.]

[Now, more than ever, she wanted it to last longer. She squeezed her hand back, a pained look on her face.]

Em...

[But words failed her. She'd accepted so much, never complaining or asking for anything. How could she refuse her now?]

If I could, I'd stay here forever.

[She clasped both her hands around Emily's now, her eyes sliding shut.] You're the reason I do this. As much as I care about the people we save, the reason I keep pressing forward is to make a better world for you.

[Still. She can't answer, one way or another. All she can focus on now is holding on to her hand and hope that can sooth some of her pain.]

[lovescarves]

But you won't.

[Emily is sad to hear it, but she also knows this was probably the only outcome. She's not exactly disappointed because she knew this was important to Lena, but she also wanted to be a little selfish sometimes. Lena's hands were comforting, but she couldn't stop that uneasy feeling she always felt when she went off like this. She pulled her hands out so that she could throw them around her neck, embracing her.]

I... I know I just... I worry.... all the time for you. I just... I want to know you'll come back home safe and sound and not have to worry about the if, ands, and buts.

[relativelyfast]

[Even despite the tenor of their conversation, Lena savored the hug, curling her arms around Emily and pulling her close. Well, as close as the chronal accelerator will allow, at any rate. It takes a lot of restraint for her to keep from tearing it off and pulling Emily back to the couch. To just stay there and be in her company.]

I wish I didn't have to worry you so much. Sometimes I feel like I'm the worst girlfriend in the world.

[And yet...]

[She's thinking about that patrol. The last few times she's gone out, they'd not run into anything that one of them alone couldn't handle. The last patrol had been so boring she'd contemplated going after a jaywalker to justify the time spent away from home.]

Y'know, Winston owes me a favor or three. Maybe just this once... he could cover for me?

[It's tempting. Oh so tempting, especially since she's already got Emily in her arms.]

Sorry I'm so late

[lovescarves]

[At this point, she's used to the chronal accelerator. Even if it was a bit in the way, she'll still cling onto Lena as much as she can. The moment she said that though, she gave her a small frown, caressing her cheek lightly with her hand.]

No, you're not. I'm... I'm sorry that I'm being selfish.

[She didn't want her to think that, because Emily knew damn well that Lena took good care of her to the best of her abilities. Hearing that though... she couldn't help but hope she'd do it, but that was still something to think about. After a moment she did a small sigh and a sad smile.]

Only if he'd be okay with it. I mean... If you really have to go... [She really had no right to stop her, but man she wanted her to stay.]

[relativelyfast]

[She cups a hand over Emily's, her thumb tracing small circles against it, savoring the moment. When your whole life is built around speed, you tend to embrace the slower moments, the small details that blur in the rush. The smell of lemon tea that permeates their flat. The sound of Emily's breathing. The way her smile's still potent enough to make her feel weak in the knees, even after all this time.]

[She sighs, shoulders slumping and those ever troublesome bangs flop down, covering one eye. She never stood a chance.]

Listen to us, would you? If we don't watch it, we'll spend the whole ruddy night apologizing to each other.

[She presses a finger to the side of her goggles, activating the comm.]

Hey, big guy! You mind if I beg off tonight. [Pause.] Ff course I know you all of you can handle things without me. [Her eyes go wide, and she sputters at first, her cheeks turning pink.] Y-You tell him it's none of his business why I'm staying home! Yeah... you be careful! Promise I'll be there next time.

[She cuts off the comm, looks to Emily, a little flustered.]

So, um. We're good, love. And Winston says hello. And I'm gonna punch McCree the next time I see him...

[lovescarves]

[Emily couldn't help but give a small chuckle to that. It was true... and also why they really didn't fight. They wouldn't be able to stay mad at each other for long before barreling back into each others' arms with apologies.

Even so, she just watched as she called it in, cocking her head off to the side slightly when she started to get flustered. After the following statement, she couldn't help but giggle slightly. Sometimes the girlfriend needed to win too.

She didn't really know McCree all that well, but she's heard enough stories to connect the conversation to the name. Reaching for her hand to pull her to the couch with her..]

So... What did he say to make you react like that? I'm curious now.

[relativelyfast]

[Lena didn't offer any resistance, falling in line easily behind her as they returned to the couch. One of the (admittedly many) things about Emily was the way they could both be content doing nothing more than sitting on the couch. She'd never been great with planning, after all.]

[Where she did offer resistance, however, was in responding to that question. Tugging her goggles free with her free hand gave her a chance to stall, and she added an exasperated sigh for good measure.]

The words that come out of McCree's mouth often bypass his brain entirely. But if you must know...

[She squints, mouth contorting into an exaggerated scowl. When she speaks, the voice that comes out is somewhere between McCree and the world's worst Clint Eastwood impression.]

"Well now, I reckon she's gone and fallen into a redhead's trap and won't get out 'til morning."

[Despite the annoyance and still visible embarrassment, it's hard for Lena to keep a smile off her face for long.]

I'm making a point to never introduce the two of you... though I'm not sure if it's for your protection or his.

[lovescarves]

[If nothing else, Emily grounded Lena when she was in her speedy habits. Emily's life was far less interesting compared to Lena's, but she did everything she could to make her feel like she always had a warm home to come back to.

She couldn't help that chuckle, giving her an amused look to the impression attempt.]

He's got a point, you know? I am pretty possessive sometimes.

[She wasn't actually, but she did take advantage of whatever time she could get with Lena.]

[relativelyfast]

[Lena's first response is a quirked brow, followed by the trademark smirk.]

Oh, so he was right to warn me about you? Suppose I better be careful then.

[She's so worried that she drapes her arms over Emily's shoulders. She'd done more than keep her grounded, of course. She was the anchor that kept Lena tethered to reality after the accident. She could probably go on for hours about just how much Emily means to her (and probably has after a night in the pub). But for now? She settles for leaning in and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.]

Eh, sod that. I'll take my chances.

[lovescarves]

Perhaps. Who knows? [In return for the kiss, she'll sneak a quick peck from her.] Since I have managed to snag you, how would you like to enjoy the evening?

Closed to Amu;

[deviantstray]

How long had it been since he'd known Amu now? It had to be close to 7 years now. Sure he had always teased her and whenever she was in trouble, he couldn't help but rush to her aid. How times change... Utau's comments about how he'd changed stuck with him longer than she probably assumed it would. He wasn't interested in any girls or dating for so long, but that changed with Amu. He knew that she struggled with how to feel for a good amount of time though, so he never wanted to make her feel uncomfortable or have to decide on what she felt too soon. There was no sense in rushing things.

The fact of the matter is he fell for her and it was quite unexpectedly. She had become important to him and while his tactics to keep the people he cared about safe were.... not ideal... He'd make her hate him if that's what it took to keep her safe. He'd act cold and distant to her or even Utau for that matter if it meant they wouldn't have to take the blunt of the damage. He'll do what he has to to keep them safe, no matter what. Thankfully there was no longer a need to behave the same way he had while in high school. Easter had been dealt with and were no longer a problem. Amu was safe.

It had taken a year or two after visiting for Yuu and Yukari's wedding to really track his father down. Turned out he was closer than Ikuto realized for a good chunk of the time, but it was nice to finally find his father. But he couldn't stay for long; after all, he had a promise to fulfill. He hadn't seen Yoru since, which was a shame, but he knew he was always with him in spirit. Now all that was left was to return to Amu.

Would she be ready to face her feelings head on? Would she know what she wanted finally? He couldn't say. She'd always been indecisive and even if it meant waiting longer, he would wait as long as she needed to understand how she felt. It wasn't until maybe a year that something happened. He'd won their bet.

He'd honestly forgotten about it for a long while, but it didn't keep him from using it to tease her. More than anything, he was glad that she finally figured out what she wanted. Fast forward a few more years and Amu had turned 20 a few months before. They'd dated over the few years and while he was content with how they were, Utau would not leave him alone about it. Just because Kukai had proposed to her and they had become engaged about a year ago did not mean that he needed to make that step.

.... But that's when Utau's constant nagging about he was bad at relationships and she wasn't sure why Amu had to patience to put up with him wouldn't leave him alone. He hadn't thought too much about the idea of it before too much, but he found himself thinking about it more and more. Would Amu even be ready for something like that? Would he? He wasn't sure. He knew that she was important to him and he'd become more dependent on having her around. Would she even want to? He wished Yoru was here to help him out with this; not that he'd have much to say. He'd probably just offer slightly disgusted opinions on the matter and go on his own way.

There comes a time in your life that you meet up with your dad to talk about it. He hadn't been able to spend much time with him, even after finding him, but he was at least around now. He really didn't know who else to turn to about something like this though. He already knew Tsukasa would just tease him endlessly and generally.... wouldn't really have anything useful to say about it. So here he was asking his dad on what to do; which he found to be humorous that Ikuto of all people was asking, but also proud of him. It took a long time to figure it out as well as get an engagement ring ready. Why did they have to be so expensive?

So here comes the time where Ikuto invites Amu to the old amusement park. There wasn't anything there anymore, but it was the sentiment that mattered. Even with it gone, this was an important place for him for his childhood as well as the memories he'd made with Amu over the time they'd known each other. Once Amu arrives, she'll probably be able to tell that today was different. He had no need to dress nice most of the time so he'd been pretty casual with his outfits overall. For an occasion like this though, casual would be out of place. Today he was wearing something different. He refused to wear a tie though, because that was overkill and... he just didn't like ties.

Ring box in one of his pockets, he just waited for her to show up, overlooking the late park.

may i speak to the manager (akechi) please

[prison]

[ Phantom Thieves, stealing hearts, fighting Gods- those all seem like a lifetime ago, a past life that he'd lived and shed when he returned to the countryside where home actually is, never looking back. He has certainly kept up with his friends, but they never bring up their activities as Phantom Thieves- only anecdotes of events that happen during the time through the lens of another perspective but not their own. These days, they only talk about what's going on their life and where their paths are taking them, which Akira prefers. It's pretty embarrassing talking about their old glory days as though it wasn't only half a year ago.

Going back to Tokyo is like walking into a memory, or being in a dream when you're aware you're in a dream. It's familiar, yet so different, and the faces feel the same even though he's not remembered a single face.

It's going to be different, being here without the majority of all the friends he used grind hours with on a daily basis— but, at the very least, he still has Sojiro and Futaba, and several other familiar faces he means to visit before the summer's over.

That is, if he isn't stuck at work for the rest of summer. Sojiro has gone out for an errand and has enlisted Akira to take over the shop in the meantime, citing that he has to, and will have to continue to, earn his keep. Akira doesn't resent him for it, especially when he's boarding upstairs for virtually no cost. On a day like this, too, when the rain comes and goes and the customers are scarce- he can handle the awfully simple task of keeping the place running.

Still, he can't help but feel a sense of melancholy as he listens to the pitter-patter of the torrential rain outside while cooped up in an empty cafe. Nothing else to do but to make himself a second cup of coffee and clean the counter while he's at it— that's when the doorbell rings in a customer, much to his surprise. He puts down his towel and turns toward the door. ]

Welcome—? [ he stops dead in his tracks, dropping his cup— its shatter breaks the momentary silence between them. ] Akechi?

Welcome to IHop. What is your complaint?

[justcawse]

[There were a lot of things to really think about. Honestly....? His entire life was in shambles after everything happened and there were a lot of pieces to pick up again. Akechi was a smart guy. He would eventually figure it out, but that was going to take a long time.

MORE IMPORTANTLY... Why was he alive? Didn't he die in Shido's trash heap that he calls a "luxury cruise ship"? ... Okay, so Akechi was still pretty salty about that. Instead he found himself waking up in some bright room. His vision was blurry and it was hard to make out anything significant. The voices around him sounded garbled and distorted until he could finally make out some of the words.]

-- wake! He's finally awake!

[Awake...? His vision was slowly coming back to him, but now there was shuffling in the room.]

Thank goodness you're okay! We were worried you were never going to wake up. How are you feeling? Can you speak?

[This was too much. There was too much going on. Finally starting to see better, he pushed himself up on his surface where he was lying on; turns out it was an uncomfortable bed. A stretcher to be exact.]

I... Wait... Hold on... Where... am I? [Now that his vision has come back, it looked like--]

You're at the University Hospital in East Shinjuku. Someone found you unresponsive outside of the Diet Building.

[The doctor was saying more, but he didn't pay attention. He was just trying to get his barrings. That would be where he'd entered the place, but people who died in the place didn't return. If nothing, he should have suffered a Psychotic Breakdown himself; especially after using his abilities on himself in the palace.

So why? Why was here here?]

... What day is it?

February 19th

[So he'd been out of it for that long? They stated they didn't think he'd wake up at this point so he must have been in a...]

A coma.....

[Mostly muttered under his breath. No wonder everything was so foggy and it was hard to concentrate on much. He tried to leave after words, but had to stay for a few more days to make sure he was okay. Once he was able to return home, he decided to keep a low profile. Mostly to just figure out what to do this point further. He'd already looked into what had been happening and learned about the events that too place while he was out of it.

Shido confessed. It was just as Ren promised. Although he couldn't be the one to do it, at least he kept his word. He couldn't help that bitter feeling though. Nothing was okay. The media got hold of his coma situation quickly, so once he was out and about, he immediately got ambushed with questions. Gifts kept coming in for him from his fans. Most of them just stayed in a pile in the corner of his apartment. He had no interest in them. Call him a sore loser, but he just wanted to be alone with himself for a while.

It was about a month later that he found himself wondering around aimlessly. Eventually he ended up in front of the door of Leblanc. Why was he here? Wasn't this the worst place to be? What if he was still around? What would he do then? Than again.... a nice cup of coffee sounded tempting. He was hesitant to open the door. Maybe he should just leave? He could find somewhere else to go. Their coffee wouldn't be as good, but it would be a safer bet.

And he was finally opening the door to go in. He'd have to eventually face it head on. Please don't be here. Please don't be here. Please don--. Crap. There he was. He instantly felt the tension. There were so many emotions stirring in him, but there wasn't one that was really overpowering the others just yet.

He should leave, but he had a hard time moving from his spot. Judging by Ren's expression, this was the last thing he'd expected as well. Letting out a sigh, he silently walked over toward the broken coffee cup pieces to pick them up carefully. After gather the ones on the other side of the bar, he set them down on the counter with an awkward smile. Well, he could say it was a smile, but it was obviously forced and confused. Very, very awkward.]

This is why you don't have any business.

[He somehow managed to make a joke despite how awkward he felt right now.]

[prison]

[ He smiled. Smiled— in that same self-deprecating way he had just before their last meeting in Shido's palace, and now he's coming his way, leaning down and picking up the pieces of the broken demitasse.

Ren finds himself lowering himself, too, which is something he should have done in the first place before Akechi up and cleaned the mess himself. He reaches and gathers some of the pieces himself, accidentally touching the other boy's hand in the process— fingers brush against the cool fabric of his glove, and he looks at him, shaken all over again that he's alive and actually there, not just some weird hallucination of his. ]

Let me take care of this, [ he mutters as he goes to dump the broken pieces in the trash behind the counter, coming back with a broom and dustpan to sweep the remaining shards, and a towel to dry any little coffee that spilled during the drop. Vaguely, he knows what's going on— he's focusing on this task instead of processing exactly what's happening.

Akechi, alive and well, entering the cafe. Akechi, alive, and his mind is racing back to his final moments back in depths of Shido's distorted heart and corrupted palace. Just. Akechi, here and cracking a joke as though his very existence before him isn't akin to seeing a ghost firsthand.

For the longest time, he simply stares at him, shocked to complete silence, wondering what words he meant to exchange with him had he the chance to back then- but every thought dies before it could ever escape his lips.

How long has it been now, how long has he been made to believe he'd died back there- how is it that this is literally the first time he ever heard of this guy being alive still. How, how, how. He places the towel onto the counter and steps closer to him, staring at him intensely so that he doesn't simply disappear right before his eyes. He had better not. Now, to go back on his earlier comment— ]

I'll make sure to let Sojiro-san know. [ About the lack of business, for one. ] You didn't come here to see me, I'm assuming.

[justcawse]

[Akechi was barely keeping it together these days as is. He told himself he'd have a better grasp of the situation by now, but he absolutely did not. The only thing he could do was revert back to what he knew, to some degree. Physical interaction rarely ever happened to him, aside from handshakes from fans or those who had invited him in for interviews. It definitely showed as he flinched at the touch, gloved hands or not, as he retracted his hand back to his side instinctively.

There was a lot to talk about and there's was definitely an elephant in the room to address. Had this been right after he'd come to, his reactions would have been met with more anger and sulking; Not that he wasn't still, but at the very least he's had time to cool down a little. But despite the myriad of emotions he was feeling, the strongest he felt was self pity and confusion about how to really function properly now.

To most people, he could still fake it as much as he needed, but he doubted that Ren would be fooled by that. Not when he knew who Akechi really was to some degree now.

This was a stupid mistake. He really should just leave. At the last comment, his expression became more stiff, like he's trying to stifle any obvious emotions from showing on his face.]

I have not. I... just sort of ended up in this neighborhood.

[Which seemed like a typical excuse, but he really had no intentions of coming here from the get go.]

[prison]

[ Akechi needn't explain any further than that; the topic is clearly an uncomfortable sore subject, and the last thing he wants is to have to chase him as he leaves the shop out of shop and into the pouring rain. ]

You just came because it's the only place open in the torrential rain. [ He helps reason, because there's a big part of him that knows why he's here, but they both know that it's something Akechi couldn't admit to, and he's fine with it if they're both in understanding. He flashes him the a small smile that tells him just that, that Akechi doesn't need to explain because he understands and is appreciative of it. ] You can't get anywhere in this weather, so have a seat, I'll make you a pour-over. On the house.

[ Ren moves back behind the bar and prepares a new cup from the dry rack. Heats it up with boiling hot water and begins preparations for the craft. It's Indonesian this time; bold and full-bodied with hints of cacao- its fragrance fills the shop the moment he starts. He remains quiet and focused on the pour-over, ensuring its quality, and when he's finally at a stopping point— ]

What a coincidence, though, that you'd show up. [ He looks at him from under his glasses, setting the cup and saucer down before him. ] I happen to just be visiting. To think I'd still be misled to thinking you're... gone, had I remained countryside. Your timing couldn't be more perfect, Akechi.

I really need to re-read tags before posting lol

[justcawse]

[There was something comforting about Leblanc to him. That was something that had never -- strangely enough -- been a lie. When his entire life was built on lies, even having a few things you were honest about weren't really something he could easily admit to. The rain did have some part in this, so he wasn't completely wrong. At the very least, he had left with an umbrella just in case, so he wasn't tracking in water.

There was something about his smile that unnerved Akechi. It wasn't uncommon for Ren or anything, but to willingly smile to someone like him? Was he really that stupid? Were they really that determined to try to become friends with him?

Ah. There was that bitterness. That hint of jealousy despite his stance of friends or relying on anyone else. He couldn't fault Ren though. He may not really been interested in friendship, but Akechi wasn't stupid either. He clearly knew the life he'd lived up until now was foolish. What sense would there be to relive that, only to be met with more failure? He was already having a hard time accepting his fate as it was. So after a moment he resigned those bitter thoughts to just... go along with it.]

Is this a bribe, sir?

[It's truly remarkable how he was still able to bounce back with a sad attempt of a joke like this. Maybe it was just his habit to revert back to the image he'd built up for so long? Regardless, he wordlessly followed suit and took a seat. He gave him a tense look at his comment, thinking carefully about how to respond back.]

So you're saying I could have waited a few more days and I could have avoided seeing you. It looks like I've miscalculated again.

[Still only a joke, but not without that bite that's originating from his conflicting emotions. He examined the cup idly for a moment before finally picking it up to take a sip before continuing hesitantly.]

.... I may as well have been. [Which only reminded him about how he shouldn't even be alive right now.]

[prison]

[ Many questions hang on the tip of his tongue as he watches him- and speaking of tip of the tongue, he's currently biting it in hopes that, if this all were some messed up dream, that he would soon wake from it. The lightning strikes outside, rumbling deeply in the skies above, bringing him right back to reality and he knows for sure that it isn't a dream. He thinks, Morgana is still sleeping pretty soundly despite all of this, and more credit to him- he probably wouldn't believe it if he told him, either.

Still, the unasked questions are sensitive ones and not ones that he's ready to ask, nor does he suspect they're something that Akechi would want to answer, much less have answers for. Ren opts to take the light-hearted route, leaning into the table and resting his chin onto his palm as he observes Goro Akechi, in the flesh. Some residual bitterness remains there- not at Akechi, but the situation they found themselves in the past, on opposite sides of the court, battling to near death. Things could have been different, he thinks often, and now there's an opportunity for things to change.

He knows this, because Akechi hasn't aimed a gun at him since his arrival. The best time to have ended him was when he's unguarded, and he's utterly unguarded at the moment.

If he wanted to leave, he would have already.

And if Akechi wasn't sentimental, he wouldn't have visited the very cafe they used to meet all the time.

This makes Ren feel a certain wary smugness, knowing full well that... a friendship would take time, but time heals everything. He just wonders if Akechi would be up for it. ]

Fate has a funny way at bringing two people together. [ On one hand, a boy that's supposed to be hundreds of miles away from the city. And on the other, a boy that's supposed to be dead more than half a year ago. Now here in the same building, both not where they're supposed to be, but found eachother nonetheless. There's a bittersweetness to it that he can't place his finger on. ] So why not just go with the flow for the time being? The important thing is, you're here right now.

[ It shocks him how much he wants to reach out and reassure him, but he doesn't it. Instead, he observes the way he drinks the coffee, smiling gently. ]

How's the coffee?

[justcawse]

[He'd be right thinking that. It may have been a few months since then, but it was still a touchy subject. Part of him expected some jabs from Ren, but there were none; If nothing, he should really expect them more so from himself than Ren.

What good would killing Ren do him? He may have had a motive before, but it's not like he had anything to really work for now. Being so goal-orientated for most of his life, it felt weird to have a loss of purpose. There was a lot on his mind and after this long? It wasn't going to be resolved any time soon.

Maybe that was really why he found his way here? The sense of familiarity in an otherwise confusing time. ...But why should he feel any sentimental value here? It's not as if they were friends. He could keep telling himself that, but Morgana's words back in the ship stuck a cord, along with everything else.

It was hard to feel lonely and wanting to feel loved for a change, but not knowing how to handle it so he instinctively turned it down. He may have had no direction when he made his way here unknowingly, but somewhere deep down in his heart he longed for the company.]

Time is all I've got now. [But man.... fate really was a bitch sometimes wasn't it?] It's... fine.

[He was a natural conversationalist when he wasn't pretending to be someone he wasn't, can't you tell? Awkwardly clearing his throat lightly, he wasn't used to making small talk like this. Not unless there was a reason for it. ]

So you said you returned home then...? What brings you back here?

[Why did he feel the need to ask. It's not like they were-- He was just reaching for some sort of topic that didn't make him feel more awkward. That had to be it.]

[prison]

[ The jabs remain at bay where they should be, as he feels things are far too sensitive for the time being to make jokes. Up until ten minutes ago, he believed the guy dead, after all. But maybe that's what they need, a some banter to get the gears rolling again so they can quickly establish normalcy to their conversations.

Somehow, he has a feeling it's too early for that, still. ]

Is that so? [ He considers his next words carefully, then blurts: ] Why not stay here a while, then? At least until the rain passes.

[ More than anything, he wants to catch up, and the rain provides a perfect front for his true intentions. He's gotta thank fate for that, while Akechi curses it. ]

I'm just visiting for the summer. Guess I kinda miss it around here. [ he stands up straight then, spreading his arms wide from the other side of the bar, like a showman presenting the next act. ] Can you blame me?

Plus, [ He adds, with a smirk this time. ] I got to run into you again.

[justcawse]

[The fact that Ren was the better person here (as always) made him question why Ren would be okay with seeing him like this after everything. As much as he wanted to be a salty bitch about everything, what good would it do him? He'd at least had time to really let his anger subside so all Ren will get is maybe hurt feelings from Akechi.

Part of him wanted to insist that he should be going, but looking at the rain... It wasn't letting up any time soon. Watching him as he spoke, he couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly. He won't admit to it, but it also got the slightest of chuckles out of him.]

I really question your priorities if that's the highlight here. [Who would want to see him?] I suppose it is more lively than the countryside.

[prison]

[ That's not something he could possibly miss. Ren hears the tell-tale signs of amusement from his tone, at least, so he knows he's saying something right. ]

It is, [ he insists, but he doesn't say which of the two statements he's referring to. Yes, his priorities is all out of sorts now that Akechi up and walked back into his life. Yes, Tokyo is much more lively than his home in the countryside. At this point, Ren doesn't know which he prefers. ]

You came back. And so did I. That has to mean something, yeah?

[ He places his damp cloth down. ]

So- [ In light mocking tone: ] Mr. Detective Prince, what will you be having?

[justcawse]

[If Akechi was somehow able to tell that, it would really just mess with his head even more. The idea that anyone would want him around and actually mean it seemed so unlikely and outrageous. Maybe someone who didn't know his dark secrets? At this point, Ren may as well be a masochist to still care in any way about him.

But in light of what was just said, he simply gave him an unamused look for a slight second. But just for a second before responding back.]

Does that make you one of my fans if you're referring to me like that? [After a moment..] Surprise me.

[Don't you dare give him something spicy if it's curry though.]