messianic | IC

[ 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.

[ WELL........... ]

It was... reckless, but your heart was in the right place. Do try not to be too hard on yourself, now that the worst is over.

[ See, not a full scolding! And he'll follow after Minato, but first! He'll drop by the table and pick up that bucket of fresh water he brought along, like the good boy he is!! ]

You should drink plenty of water to wash whatever is left of the poison out of your system, though. Do you have any mugs I can use?

[... Aw, Akechi. Minato is admittedly pleasantly surprised to not be getting a full scolding here. It's nice, since he's heard plenty of scolding until now.]

... Right.

[He appreciates it!]

Yeah, there are some mugs in the kitchen. It's just over there--they should be clean.

[Minato is a Domestic Protag, so he keeps the place tidy.]

[ Oh, good, a Domestic Protag comes really in handy at the moment. So Akechi will make a quick trip to the kitchen and return with a clean mug, then dip it in the bucket to fill it up. ]

Here. Drink up.

[ And now that he has kindly returned Minato's mother hen tendencies, he'll take a seat, like a proper guest. ]

Speaking of potions, though... I have been giving this some thought, and upon retrospect, I believe I, too, might have inadvertently consumed one before.

[... Oh.

Oh?

Oh... Minato assumes that Akechi didn't ingest poison, so-- he blinks over his mug of fresh water.]

... You did? How... did you drink some inadvertently? Are you okay?

[ Well, no, it wasn't poison, but... it might have been just as deadly, in different ways. ]

Ah, yes, I'm fine! [ He waves a hand dismissively. ] And, as I said, this is only speculation so far, but not too long ago, I found myself acting rather... strangely.

[ This is putting it mildly, to be honest. But anyway!! ]

Granted, it's true we often fall victim to the whimsies of whoever rules this place, but at the time, Kyrie-san was acting in a similarly strange way. I happened to drink from a bottle I had found in his house, and shortly after noticed the change in my behavior.

[Strangely...

Kyrie-san...

Now he's getting more and more concerned.]

... What do you mean by "strangely"...?

A-ah, that was...

[ Embarrassing. Very embarrassing. And he'd rather forget about it if he can help it, but now that he brought it up: ]

He was acting strangely... affectionate. [ A subtle cringe. ] To the point of... hugging me.

[ The cringe isn't so much over the fact Kyrie gave him a hug. though. Rather, it's because, as previously stated, Akechi was acting in the same way. ]

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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

nobody in awash can ask questions until it's defeated!!

don't give them ideas

HEY MODS LOOK OVER HERE

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