Day 6 - Final discussion before the second execution

[pandatrash]

[This morning, a video of Tycoon auto-plays on everyone's tablets. He is in a dimly lit room, and seems to be eating pudding out of a bicycle horn...? Whatever, the raccoons are weird.]

Today’s the day! Are you pumped up? Psyched out? Pissed off? Done in? Hehehehe!

Everybody better vote today for who you want to be PUNISHED! If you don't vote by the time the timer reaches zero, your vote will be randomized! Just like it now says in the rules!

I, Tycoon (only Tycoon), will still answer one question per person if you haven’t cashed yours in yet! Rule clarifications are free, by the way! Also, quit freaking out about the people who are off crying in their rooms or whatever! You already have all the alibis you need to solve the mystery!

((Navigation
Recyclr
Day 5 Q&A with Tycoon
Today's Q&A with Tycoon
Vote! It says midnight Friday, but it's technically midnight Saturday. 11:59 Friday, WHATEVER.))

Comments

[suppressthedark]

[Hello, I believe we had an agreement about coffee??

Ichigo actually....kind of looks like shit this morning. He's definitely got lines under his eyes from poor sleep, and he's got his notebook in his hand, the notes and comments on alibis practically filling in the margins of the page.]

...What're you talking about?

[He's just going to lean against the counter as well nearby, tucking his notebook into his pants pocket.]

[purrtagonist]

[WE SURE DID, and it was interrupted by MURDER]

[Ichigo's not the only one who looks like shit. Akira's fucking exhausted, and it shows in his disheveled appearance. he looks up when Ichigo approaches and, without a word, turns his tablet around so Ichigo can see the phrase tapioca honk posted from Sigma's (??) account]

[then he pulls back, fetches a clean mug, and gets to work]

[suppressthedark]

[Right, he;s just...going to stare at that, expression going from tired to confused to downright bafflement. He doesn't say anything as Akira starts making the coffee, just trying to work over the weird phrase in his mind.

When he finally pipes up, it's obvious he doesn't know what the fuck is happening.]

...Why would the goddamn raccoons post that?

[DOES IT EVEN HAVE A PURPOSE? ARE THE RACCOONS JUST SHITPOSTING WITH A DEAD MAN'S ACCOUNT]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira snorts softly, waving one hand before he begins to pour some pre-made coffee into Ichigo's mug. he's also putting some hot cocoa powder into said coffee? just as he did for Rin]

Want to hear the funny part?

I don't think it was the raccoons.

[suppressthedark]

[He blearily rubs his eyes, trying to process...well, everything.

Though when Akira says that, Ichigo's head snaps up.]

...You mean, you think Sigma managed to get a message out?

[GUESS WHAT, he's taking this super seriously. Which he should know, considering.]

[purrtagonist]

[aha. he knew Ichigo would catch on quickly. slides the chocolate cup of coffee in front of him and nods]

I do. Tycoon said they didn't revive him, but you know the best out of anyone that the dead don't just disappear. Right?

[suppressthedark]

...It's not impossible.

[He takes the cup, still staring at the tablet and the message it contains, blowing on his coffee before taking a sip. Hm. Not bad.]

I've never seen a spirit mess with electronic devices personally, but if they had enough reiatsu, then maybe...I mean, poltergeists have to have come from somewhere.

[purrtagonist]

[damn right it isn't bad. ULTIMATE BARISTA]

And keep in mind the laws of your world might not apply here. I don't know how it'd be possible, but--

I believe that it is nonetheless.

[suppressthedark]

I know, I know. I'm just...going off what I do know until I find out otherwise.

[Still, he's silent for a moment, cradling the cup in his hands as if the warmth of it will somehow allow him to figure all of this out.]

...I hope it is Sigma. The Raccoons wouldn't care if someone innocent died, after all.

[purrtagonist]

[he barks out a laugh, dry and humorless]

Yeah, they wouldn't. They'd just call us all dumbasses for getting it wrong.

But they want this to be fair, that much I can tell. It's why they'd allow for an opaque hint like this.

[suppressthedark]

Fair? None of this is fair!

[He loses his temper for the first time since the body was found, minor flareups at Erika notwithstanding.]

They're fucking laughing while we kill each other and then have to figure out who did it! Just watching us suspect each other knowing that one of us is going to be executed tomorrow, regardless if they actually murdered Sigma or not! Fair isn't in their goddamn vocabulary!

[He very nearly slams the coffee cup on the countertop, barely managing to not spill it on himself or the counter itself, putting his arms on the marble and covering his face in his hands, breathing harshly.

It's taken a whole day and night, but Ichigo's manufactured composure has finally, finally broken.]

1/2

[purrtagonist]

-- you don't think I know that!

[it isn't Ichigo's fault. Akira isn't raising his voice, matching his volume because he's angry at him, too. he grips the edges of the counter, shoulders hunched, eyes slipping shut]

Every part of this investigation, this sham of a "trial," is just us doing exactly what they want us to do! And the most we can do is comfort ourselves by saying, "it's for Sigma, it's justice for Sigma, we have to find Sigma's killer." But that's bullshit, and everyone here knows it. This isn't justice, this is cheap, trashy entertainment.

[purrtagonist]

[DEEP BREATHS, DEEP BREATHS. . .]

[he forces himself to calm down, especially when he opens his eyes again and sees Ichigo slumped over the counter. ah. . . he might have. gotten a little carried away]

[that hard expression softens. he rocks over to the side, bumping his shoulder with his fellow captive's]

. . .

[sometimes, Akira isn't good with words. but he kind of hopes that small bit of contact expresses what he's feeling for him]

1/2

[suppressthedark]

I know!

[Even slumped over, he still yells back when Akira does, his anger and despair definitely misplaced, but spilling out now even if he tried to reel it back in.]

I know we're just doing what they want us to do, but what else can we do?! We weren't able to fucking trust each other for 6 goddamn nights, and now we all have to participate in choosing who's going to die next! I can't - I can't do anything here but see people die in front of me, and I don't even know what happens to people when they die here! So the most I can do is throw myself into finding the killer, because I can't be a shinigami or a protector when I have to suspect everyone around me!

[Greatest fear: Being unable to protect anyone.]

[suppressthedark]

[He stops talking all at once, his breaths and body practically shuddering with the force of the emotions running through him as he just buries his head deeper into his hands.

He had to be strong. He had to be the one that didn't flinch or cry when seeing a body, because everyone else would be in shock, and someone had to step up to the plate. He could react all he wanted in private, but people would depend on him, and how many expressions of thanks had he gotten for being the one to gather up the parts of Sigma's body?

He had to do this, because if he didn't, he was useless. What good was all his power when he couldn't reach it, couldn't even see the souls of the dead to soothe them? And what good was a protector who couldn't even save the people in front of him?

When he feels the shoulder bump, he stops breathing hard - and slowly lowers his hands from his face, looking over at Akira before focusing on the countertop in front of him, silent.

After a long moment, he speaks.]

....I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you.

[purrtagonist]

[Akira's silent throughout the second outburst, and this time? he manages to keep his own under wraps. because he has to, right? if someone else is cracking under the pressure next to him, then he's the one who has to stay composed. stay calm. hold them up until it passes. that was his job as a leader back home-- and he'll dutifully accept it as his job here, too]

[he offers Ichigo a wan smile, and bumps against his shoulder again, this time lingering, leaning against him]

It's fine.

[ha]

I yelled, too. That makes us even, yeah?

[an attempt!! at some lightheartedness!]

[suppressthedark]

[He smiles, even if it's a little weary this time.]

Yeah. Even.

[He almost freezes up a little at Akira leaning against him, because he's not that used to physical contact - the last person he allowed to be so freely affectionate with him died because of him, after all - but after a moment, he allows himself to relax and lean back a little.

It's only been a few days, but Akira feels like someone he'd trust with his life in a heartbeat - and in a situation like this, that's only a good thing. And hopefully, he can be someone Akira relies on, too.]

...Your coffee was pretty good.

[We just had a moment - so time to switch to subjects that don't get their emotions in a tizzy.]

[purrtagonist]

[it isn't like Akira's outwardly affectionate all the time, either. in fact? he's pretty reticent with it, unless he absolutely trusts the person on the receiving end. six days isn't a long time, but six days in murder school hell feels like an eternity]

[he's exhausted. he barely slept. give him a break for lowering his walls a little bit]

[he huffs a laugh at that, once again reaching for his own mug]

Mine didn't turn out so great, but I'm glad yours is exquisite as anyone can make instant coffee.

[suppressthedark]

[They can both agree on it feeling way longer than six days, that's for sure.

He smiles, grabbing his own cup and taking another swig since it's cooled down some.]

Hey, I'm pretty easy to please. You put hot chocolate in this, right?

[Remember what his likes are on his profile, Akira?]

[purrtagonist]

[wags his brows knowingly]

It's a little trick I learned back home. I use it on my best friend, too. He wouldn't touch the stuff otherwise.

[Ryuji and his hatred for coffee]

[plus also, chocolate is on Ichigo's profile as a like, so. you know. legit]

[suppressthedark]

It's a good trick - Mochas are popular for a reason.

[Honestly, he's comfortable enough with Akira to mention that he likes chocolate, since Akira most likely won't make fun of him for liking such a 'girly' food.]

[purrtagonist]

[plz there is nothing "girly" about liking chocolate]

They are. Though Boss would probably have my hide if he knew my hot cocoa powder secret.

[huffs out a laugh and wags his fingers at Ichigo when he says "secret," like it's some kind of voodoo spell or something]

[suppressthedark]

[According to Japanese society it is]

Boss? Someone from back home?

[He hasn't heard Akira talk about that yet, so he's in the dark.]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . you know what? he's been pouring over this stupid Recyclr message all morning. he's tired, he barely slept, and his coffee is a little too bitter for his tastes]

[HE DESERVES A GODDAMN BREAK]

Mmm.

[he responds in affirmation, once again taking a sip of his drink. he tries not to make a face when the bitter taste washes over his tongue. yuck. do better next time, Ultimate Barista]

My guardian. [a father-figure, although he doesn't say that aloud] I spent a year living in the attic above his coffee shop.

[suppressthedark]

[Break time is a good time, especially if you've got coffee. Besides, it's nice to talk to someone about things other than who killed Sigma right now.]

A year? Why just a year?

[He's tired, so he hasn't made the connection about Akira's record yet - or that his family shoved him to someone else, because that's just so alien to his own ways of thinking about family.]