[ akira & lili are 2rebellious ]

[coastal]

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[coastal]

[the koi pond is admittedly one of her favorite places in the village. standing by it really drives home the whole elegant lady of the water tribe vibe - up until she hears akira call her name and greets with:]

Yo. Need something?

[she seems to have koi fish food pellets in her hand though - she holds it out to him in case he wants to take some to feed them]

[survivaltricks]

[he flashes her a smile and a nod as he slides up next to her, gaze drawn towards the fish in the pond. on instinct, he reaches out to take some of the feed for the fish]

A couple somethings, actually.

First-- and don't even try to argue, because I've made up my mind-- I'm going to use my power on you on Thursday night.

Don't worry, though. I'll make sure it ends before we wake up in the morning so your curfew effects won't be. . . ah. Affected.

[he has LEARNED HIS LESSON]

[coastal]

[SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE WANTS TO LAUGH]

Can you imagine? Ookurikara would go after me immediately.

[THAT'S? LOVE?

but she'll at least settle for continuing to feed the fish]

That's fine. [ . . . ] I'm still deciding how much I want to do the task.

[survivaltricks]

[THAT'S!! LOVE!!!]

I'm not going to paint a target on your back accidentally. I already did that to poor Dick.

[n-no more accidents]

[but at that, he tilts his head at her curiously while he drops a few fish feed into the pond]

You're that opposed to using it. . .? Even harmlessly?

[coastal]

[ . . . ]

If someone attacks me, I can probably cast an illusion of the scene like I'm not there at all, or disorient them enough that they can't tell up from down. If the illusion is as perfect as I've been told, then even I should be able to take them out before they get me first. It'd be quick and hopefully painless. It's my absolute last resort.

[sometimes you tell your ally exactly how you'd pull off a murder]

Using it any time before Thursday night might be too risky for me, if that strategy is the main way I intend to survive. Even I know I'm injured. So unless I know for certain that I'm safe... I don't think I can do it.

[survivaltricks]

[that's fine, she already told him that if she was ever suspicious at trial that he should push her for everything he's got, because the only time she'd kill would be in self defense. he ain't even surprised]

. . . that's a good point. [his expression grows pensive as he stares at the koi]

Well. . . if someone does come after you, then at least you know that they won't be able to use their power on you. That'll help, right. . .?

[coastal]

[well, there is that. and she looks a little thoughtful at that too before glancing over at him - ]

I know you said not to argue, but you know you don't have to protect me, right?

[she assumes he's just worried because she's injured....]

[survivaltricks]

I know. You can take care of yourself, even while injured. You're tough and scrappy and I have no doubt you'd take down anyone who tried to come for your life.

[don't worry, he isn't making this choice because he thinks she's incapable of protecting herself]

But I want to. That's different, isn't it?

[coastal]

[ . . . . she tilts her head, confused.]

... is it...? Why would you want to...?

[is it because they're allies??]

[survivaltricks]

[a tiny little huff, and he finally pulls his gaze away from the koi pond to flash her a tiny, lopsided smile]

There are a lot of reasons. Because I think you'll fight for the ending we want, regardless of what people tell you. Because I trust you. Because I don't think we could make it out of this camp without you.

[a tilt of his head]

And most importantly, I consider you my friend.

[1/2]

[coastal]

[those are definitely reasons besides 'we're allies' that she didn't see coming at all. the first ones she sort of saw coming, because it's true that she thinks she's pretty uncompromising on her stance about what the right thing to do is here.

but the idea of not being able to make it through without her is odd - she's always been expendable, a pawn, or even an obstacle to a lot of people. she's never been vital or necessary to anyone. hearing it manages to throw her off already, obviously startling her.

and then he just goes for the heart—]

[coastal]

[and it's really, really odd how someone with such a blasé and confident exterior immediately turns into a red-faced blob as she repeats]

We're -

... friends?

[stupid. so stupid.]

[survivaltricks]

[oh my god. oh my god???]

[HE JUST. . . LAUGHS, a light and amused sound that chimes in the wind like a bell]

Why are you so surprised? Of course we are.

[unlike Lili, Akira is not shy about his feelings]

[coastal]

[she is so foolish and hearing him laugh just manages to make her blush worse, red all the way up to her ears even as she tries very, very hard to glare at him

it’s not even half as menacing as usual.]

Hey! Stop laughing!

How was I supposed to know?!

[sometimes you are deeply socially maladjusted]

Fine! We’re - f.... friends....

[survivaltricks]

[he cuts himself off quickly, lifting a hand to press his knuckles against his mouth to hide his impish smile. she's rather cute, isn't she??]

We are.

[nodnods!]

For being the force of nature that you are, you're surprisingly easy to tease.

[coastal]

[HE'S RIGHT BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE TO SAY IT]

Th-That's not an invitation for you, you know! Don't say embarrassing things...!

[what about that was embarrassing]

[survivaltricks]

I can't help myself. I'm just a very embarrassing person.

[he just. nods as he says that like. it's the most normal thing]

[coastal]

Consider being less so!

[no she's just trying to retaliate, like a fool]

[survivaltricks]

Eh.

[that is not an encouraging response!!]

[coastal]

[she tosses a pellet of fish food at his face]

[survivaltricks]

[it hits him in the forehead]

[he doesn't react, beyond one very bland:]

Ow.

[coastal]

[ . . . she covers her mouth and turns away because she doesn't want to give him the pleasure of knowing he made her laugh

her shoulders are shaking]

[survivaltricks]

[yeah she's not doing a very good job of hiding it. his brows quirk, lips twitching in amusement of his own, before he reaches out]

[and pokes her shoulder]

[and gives her a bit of static shock. BZZT]

[coastal]

Eek!

[sHE DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING

SHE JUMPS AND FUMBLES WITH THE FISH FOOD some of it falls into the pond. congrats koi you are fed.

she whirls around]

You're dead, Kurusu!

[please stop lunging at him]

[survivaltricks]

[PLEASE STOP LUNGING AT HIM]

You don't even know the meaning of rest, do you. . .!

[but he does seem entertained as he tosses the rest of his food into the koi pond (CONGRATS AGAIN FISH YOU ARE FED EXTRA) so he can. catch her by her (good) shoulder and prevent her from tripping!! again!!]