messianic | IC

[Minato takes some time to not look at the laptop for a bit after that, because the bright light only made his splitting headache even worse; by the time he glances at it, he's over the whole "throwing up his guts" aspect of things and has moved on to "dying slightly less".

But.

That message, amongst all of the inane chatter from Dave, is...

Dammit. He has to respond to this one.]

I'm so sorry, Akechi-san. I ended up a little sick... but I should've let you know.

[Spoilers: he was too sick to let Akechi know.]

I guess that's not a very good start for our secret society... Can we reschedule?

[ Hmm. That is very suspicious, indeed... Minato did strike him as the responsible kind, so even if it was something ridiculous like their Secret Society, Akechi assumed he wouldn't skip on it without at least a quick message. ]

Don't worry about it, we can save it for another time. Are you feeling any better now, though?

[...Yeah........ He feels bad; this is not how proper social links are made and maintained!]

I'm recovering. I should be good at new soon, so don't worry. It was just a little unexpected, that's all.

[ It's okay, it's not like... Akechi would know either way...! ]

Still recovering? That sounds a little more serious than a cold or a bug. Are you sure you're fine?

[... Oops.]

Now I am. It was a bit rough there for a bit, but I'm getting better every day.

A bit rough... Did you have anyone there to help you while you were sick, though?

I live with Vriska-chan...she was around, so I wasn't totally alone.

Thanks for worrying about me though. I appreciate it, Akechi-san.

[But he didn't tell her, because Minato sucks.]

[ Vriska... Akechi doesn't know her very well, but she doesn't exactly look like the type who would... have any bedside manners, to be honest. ]

There is no need to thank me. I am merely returning the favor, like you checked up on me when I was in trouble. It is what friends do, correct?

[ He knows the theory, at least!! ]

But, are you sure Vriska-san's care was enough? Is there anything I can do for you?

That is what friends do... but I'm still grateful. You really are a good friend, Akechi-san.

[A good!! Friend!!]

I think I'll be okay. Honestly, mostly I've been trying to drink as much water as I can to try to recover.

[Also, even if the company would be nice, he doesn't want Akechi to see just how badly off he was; Minato's still pretty clearly ill in person.]

[ A good friend, huh...? Well, that's... new... ]

Do you have someone who can reliably bring you fresh water and food, though? Considering you're sick, you should not be going out, even if you have the strength to do these tasks by yourself.

That's probably true. It's been okay, a little. I have some water left from before.

[And he doesn't feel like eating anything at all.

So really it's like, not okay at all.]

[ That... doesn't sound very reassuring, Minato...!! ]

In that case, I can come over and bring you some water and rations. I will only take a few moments to prepare.

[HE'S...trying sort of.]

Are you sure? I really will be okay, you don't have to go out of your way for me...

[ TRY HARDER... ]

Not at all. Bluo isn't very distant from my house, it will be no trouble.

Besides, I would be a very lacking secret society President if I didn't look out for my only other member, would I?

[Hrmmfmksd. Minato is weak to sincere concern.]

Okay then... thank you, Akechi-san. I really appreciate it. You can come over whenever. Please don't rush on my account.

Very well. I will be over soon.

[ And just as promised, it takes him only a short while to get everything sorted out before making his way to Bluo. Upon arrival, he knocks on the door twice, a bucket of fresh water in one hand and a basket containing an assortment of berries and a can of spam that he took from Lupin's pantry-- with permission, of course! ]

Arisato-kun?

[It gives him time to make sure he's downstairs, at least, so it doesn't take him long to open the door.

But.

He's definitely still leaning against the doorframe a bit, pale and disheveled, though he's trying to be...subtle about it...]

Akechi-san.... hello. Sorry for making you come all this way, but...come in.

[ Akechi's brows all but shoot upwards at that sight; he knew Minato had been sick, but he had assumed it had been something far less serious than current evidence seems to point to. ]

There's no need to apologize. I did offer to come.

[ And with a quick "excuse me," he makes his way in, placing the water and basket on the nearest table before turning to face Minato again. ]

And I must say, I am glad I did. [ His eyes narrow, and then: ] I was correct about my suspicions: you did severely downplay how sick you were.

[... Ha... the light scolding does get Minato to duck his head a little, breathing out a soft sigh as he rubs at his face.]

... I'm recovering now. I just didn't...really want to worry you, Akechi-san.

[That's sincere, at least; he thinks he's worried enough people for a lifetime already.]

[ Seriously, what is up with these people? Fussing all over Akechi when he lost his color, calling him a friend-- calling him family, yet hesitating to rely on him when it's their turn to need help? How is he supposed to believe their feelings are genuine when they apparently don't understand the basic tenets of human relationships?

Akechi hates this. Liars, all of them. ]

You showed concern for me even when you barely knew me. I would think it's only natural to worry for a friend, isn't it?

[ But Akechi is a liar, too, and a hypocrite, so he doesn't really let any real signs of disappointment show-- not his anger, either. He keeps a neutral expression, calm, though he does heave a sigh. ]

There's no way this is a common sickness, either, correct With your powers, you could have easily healed yourself.

I guess that's true...

[Minato offers a rueful smile in return, tired and soft. He hates worrying people. He's never sure what to do about it, and even now...]

I appreciate the worry, I really do.

[For what it's worth.]

And I guess... I didn't want to get scolded again, but.

[Ruefully:]

It was the reward for the Jorogumo quest. I thought it'd be safe, but it was just poison instead.

Poison...?

[ Immediate reaction: Minato, what the fuck?

Secondary reaction: Minato, seriously what the fuck? ]

I... assume there was no way for you to know what you were dealing with. [ Though maybe he's being... very generous here. Would Minato really not drink poison even if he knew what it was? Unsure. ] Regardless, I have to wonder what you were thinking, drinking from questionable content like that. Even I am not quite that curious...

[ And maybe he has drunk from questionable contents before, so maybe that's why he's not yelling or giving Minato more of an earful. He doesn't exactly have the moral high ground. ]

[Sorry, Akechi... Minato just sighs, nodding a little. He wouldn't drink poison if he knew it was poison!! He's not suicidal, god!]

... The other instances of the potion had seemed harmless, so... I wanted to know what it would do. If it was useful to someone, I could've given it to them.

[But obviously he couldn't ask anyone else to put themselves at risk testing it.

So.

Poison.]

... It was more dangerous than I was expecting, I guess. Thankfully, I have my Persona...

[ Oh, okay, not suicidal. Just outstandingly stupid, then, got it. ]

It truly must have been, if even your Persona couldn't fully heal you from the aftereffects. [ But it has kept him alive, at least, so that's... good. ]

Regardless, I must ask you to please be more careful with what you consume in this place, Arisato-kun. I find it admirable that you wish to help people, but what good will it be if you wind up harming yourself?

[Correct.]

... Yeah, you're right. I definitely won't do it again.

[He just kind of sighs, leading the way inside so they can sit down.]

It was dumb to assume it'd be harmless just because the others were, I know.

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actions!!

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what happened to my question mark in that tag...

eaten by the question mark monster

I hope that's a quest next month

me too, i'd fight that monster