fragileprophet | Week 1, Wednesday

Week 1, Wednesday - Akechi

[Why is this the CR that happened???

But anyway, since they're both part of the Wind dorms, it's easy enough to run into Akechi without having to really go out of his way. Being as it's the least cold in here, Ion hasn't strayed too far into the rest of the castle for the day. He stands when he sees Akechi--by now, the whole castle has probably noticed his scars. It's taken him a bit of courage to build up the nerve to bring them up, himself.

He knows what he's been told about trusting. But he's already trusted Akechi with so much else, so what could this hurt? Things feel a bit different now this week than they did the week before.]

Could I ask you something?

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[I'M SO GLAD THIS IS THE CR THAT HAPPENED!!]

[and it's true, the entire castle has seen Akechi's face by now. some are probably suspicious. others probably accept his story at face value. so when Ion-- the older one, the replica-- asks him about an inquiry, Akechi just gives a resigned sigh and nods]

It was the wishing well, if you're wondering.

[HE JUST ASSUMES. . .]

No...I thought something like that was the case. You don't have to explain.

[He raises his hands quickly, afraid to make Akechi get into details he's not comfortable with sharing.]

But does it hurt?

[oh. that wasn't expected. Akechi blinks, but shakes his head]

No, it doesn't. It did at the time, but the pain has long since faded.

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that.

[He puts a hand over his heart and closes his eyes, clearly relieved. Still, when he opens his eyes again, he almost looks...guilty?]

I should have asked you sooner--I could have done something about it while it was still causing you pain.

[a flicker of genuine surprise]

What do you mean?

[the paint was only momentary, so Ion really didn't have to worry too much, but. instead of saying that, Akechi zooms in straight on the most interesting part of this conversation: what could Ion have done about it?]

[Ion really has to stop setting himself up in these situations where he ultimately has to provide answers that he probably shouldn't be giving. But. He's bad at being dishonest. He just wants to help. His face flushes pink as he looks briefly away, clearly recognizing that he should have chosen his words carefully.]

I mean, what I can do...my "gift" I suppose it's called.

[He pauses, knowing he could just leave it there. But Akechi already knows his objective, so...is it really so bad to trust him just a little bit more?]

I can heal others.

You can. . .

[and Akechi trails off, clearly surprised by this revelation. but while the connection between Ion confessing this and him asking about Akechi's scars may be obvious to most, Akechi has to ask for clarification]

Why are you telling me this?

I wouldn't be setting a very good precedent for friendship if I didn't trust you.

[He smiles, putting his hands together.]

I know we all have to be very careful with who we decide to speak with about what we've been given in secret, tasks and all...but if I'm being honest, I really don't like having to keep secrets.

[He pauses, laughing a little, though it somehow seems a bit self-deprecating.]

Besides, given what you've told me about yourself, I think you're the best person to be able to use anyone's information in order to help the group at large.

[why do you want to trust me? why do you want to be my friend? i don't understand--]

. . . that's very dangerous, Ion-san.

[he says that quietly, voice low]

But if-- you really do choose to trust me, then. . . of course I'll use that information to help the group at large. Considering the events of the past week and a half, healing abilities are extremely useful, too.

[. . .]

May I ask you a question, first?

Yes. That's exactly why I don't feel comfortable keeping it completely to myself. Something as useful as this needs to be used to its fullest potential. I couldn't stand the idea of holding back and watching anyone suffer just to keep myself safe.

[It all comes back to him not caring what happens to him. Huh!]

Of course. Ask me whatever you'd like.

[you're too trusting, Akechi thinks to himself. I know your objective. I could have had you killed this week. So why?]

Are you the Little Match Girl?

[Ion pauses, and shakes his head.]

I'm afraid that's not my title, no.

All right.

[his natural curiosity wants him to push forward and ask again, but he has no other guesses beyond that one right now. so he'll leave it be]

Forgive the bluntness of my question. Your objective, combined with your gift, felt apt for that title. I should have followed that question up with an assurance that you didn't have to answer.

Oh, no, it's alright!

[He holds up his hands reassuringly, his smile coming easily back onto his features.]

You already know my gift and my objective, after all, so it doesn't bother me what you ask.

[But, after a short pause, he circles back around to where they'd started.]

Even if they don't hurt, is it troublesome having those scars? If they're uncomfortable for you for any reason aside from physical pain, I'm still happy to remove them.

[oh]

[so that was what Ion was getting at. it takes a moment for Akechi to process this, but. he nods]

I'd like that, actually. They are a bit uncomfortable, and I don't know how long they're going to last.

[Ion nods in understanding.]

I'm sure. It might be a little awkward, I'm afraid, but do you mind?

[He holds up one of his hands toward Akechi's face, but doesn't want to touch him without permission.]

[hesitates, because. . . physical affection. . . but in the end, he nods and leans forward]

There are some on my right side as well, though they're less troublesome. Even so. . .

Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.

[Ion only smiles as he reaches up and places a hand carefully against the scars. Maybe it only takes one instance of physical contact, but Akechi will find that as Ion's hand rests against the scars, they begin to fade before disappearing altogether.]

[But while they do disappear from Akechi's skin, they aren't gone. As they fade, they reappear more and more prominently again, mirrored on Ion's own body.

He pulls his hand away, taking a respectful step back.]

There's no need to thank me.

-- Ion-san?

[it's shocking. not because he feels any guilt that Ion took his scars away from him, but. . . because this is not at all the healing he expected]

[and for Ion to do this so willingly? to not even hesitate to offer to heal Akechi, despite the cost. and so he's just left staring, completely bewildered, completely stunned, completely unable to understand. just as he was before]

Why?

[that's what he wants to know, and the question tumbles from his lips before he can really consider it. why would anyone do something like this for him?]

[Ion touches one of the newfound scars on his skin. His soft expression falls, and he looks slightly away, not sure how to meet that shocked look on Akechi's face. He doesn't have an answer. All the things he could think of to say...he knows they don't make any sense. But all he feels, that he can't express, is that no real human, no person with a life that matters, that was brought into the world unique and wholly original, deserves to suffer when he could suffer in their place.

So he tells the truth, at least as much as he can stomach.]

...I don't know. I just can't stand thinking that you could get stuck with something like this that you didn't ask for. You deserve better than that.

[you deserve better--]

[for some reason, those simple words cause something tight to clench in Akechi's stomach. to continue the trend of speaking without thinking, his next question is immediate]

Do I?

[and he. . . almost looks surprised that he even had to ask, before he repeats it, voice a bit softer]

Do I. . .?

Yes, without a doubt.

[Ion doesn't know anything about Akechi. He doesn't know his motivations, he doesn't know his past, he doesn't know what he's thinking. But still, when he looks at him, and when he talks to him, he just knows.]

[shifts awkwardly on his feet, lifting a hand to touch his formerly scarred, now completely healed face. ahaha. . .]

Thank you.

[. . . for once, it's genuine. it makes his stomach flip, and he doesn't really know what to do with that]

[Ion shakes his head, folding his arms behind him.]

It wouldn't be right of me to accept thanks for something that I only consider to be the truth.

[He pauses, smiling softly once again.]

Nonetheless...I hope this helps.

It will. But what will you do about your own face?

[he isn't worried. . . not at all. . .]

Hm...

[It's a good question, so he tilts his head as he thinks about it.]

Well, I didn't tell anyone what my wish at the wishing well was...so I could always say that I wished for means of appearing different from the other Ion. I hate to lie, but I suppose it's necessary in this case.

Those with sharp eyes will likely notice they look extremely similar to the ones I had, and mysterious don't have anymore.

[Just stay away from Sousei it's fine?]

I'm afraid I don't know how to explain that away aside from mere coincidence. Do you have any ideas?

[yes because that will work]

Try to hide them as much as you can, perhaps?

...is that why there were bruises on top of these?

[He noticed.]

[ah]

Y-- yes, that's right.

That...didn't hurt too badly either, I hope.

[Akechi, please...]

I won't ask you how they came to be there, but...

[He sighs. He just...wants you to be safe!]

It's all right.

[he WOULD say Sousei-san is a harsh teacher, but that would be telling?? a secret??]

With how cold it's been this week, you might be able to use some snow as an ice pack for the bruises.

[Ion has a distinct look of "why would I need to do that" for a split second before he smiles again, realizing the implication.]

Oh, yes, of course! I think I'll be alright...but I'll be sure to keep that in mind if I feel it becomes necessary. Thank you for the suggestion.

. . . of course.

[awkwardly shifting from one foot to the next]

Well, with that taken care of-- I should really tend to other business.

I understand.

[He bows his head, polite as far.]

Be safe in the days to come.

You as well, Ion-san.

[he says, the day before he mcfreakin' murders a man]

[BYE ION]

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Week 1, Wednesday - Akechi

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when u wrap but ur heckin sad about it

I KNOW. . . whispers you deserve better Ion