[Week 5, Tuesday: Hikage]

[doublecrows]

[Akechi's been quiet over the past week. of course he has; there hasn't been much excitement in the castle ever since the last trial. but things are ramping up again, and on this fine Tuesday, he tracks Hikage down wherever he may be in the manor]

Hikage-san. I certainly hope your vacation was satisfactory.

Comments

[psychedelica]

[ he nods. he'd suspected there was an independent party responsible for at least the first two murders rather than a Blotter; this would be a tidy answer to that suspicion. ]

I don't know who they are.

[doublecrows]

[Akechi is quiet for a moment, just watching Hikage with a curious, even expression]

. . . the magnifying glass was fairly clever. As was the shoe print and the letter that claimed my innocence.

They weren't helpful at all in solving the murders, but they caused quite a bit of chaos. Were you satisfied with this?

[psychedelica]

[ oh, he doesn't like this question at all... because he realizes the instinctive answer that comes from his heart is "no." No, they didn't. When he looks back on those things, he doesn't feel anything but frustration. ]

... What does it matter to you? [ a beat. ] I fulfilled my objective. I'm not obligated to do anything to help you all.

[doublecrows]

You fulfilled it, and received another one, I presume. That does seem to be how this works.

[as someone who completed his first objective, Akechi's been sitting on a new one for a while now. but that is neither here nor there]

Regardless. . . I don't particularly mind if you help out at trials or not. I have no interest in catching murderers. All I care about is the completion of objectives.

[aha]

. . . but your title gives you the ability to throw off the flow of a trial in order to protect yourself, should you be a culprit. Doesn't it?

[oh]

[psychedelica]

That's right.

[ Akechi already knows that; he doesn't care about confirming it. He does give him a neutral gaze for his troubles, however. Hikage is sure he's being suspected of being one of the Editors right now. ]

I'd be an idiot not to use all my resources, Akechi.

[doublecrows]

[:)!]

[Akechi watches Hikage's reaction carefully, with a surprisingly keen eye. there's tension in the air-- something thick like butter, something easily cut through with a hot knife-- before it just. . . melts away]

You're right. You would be. And I can admire your resourcefulness.

[a small shrug]

At any rate, I don't care. Even if I may not necessarily need your protection any longer, you are still one of my allies.

[psychedelica]

... I know what you're thinking. Sorry, but you're wrong.

[ his word is probably worth next to nothing - Akechi also already knows that Hikage is a liar. Still, he might as well say it. ]

As usual, you're a lousy detective.

[doublecrows]

[HEY!1 rude!]

[Akechi frowns, a scowl on his features]

It's easy to deny that which is true. I've done that myself before, as you've seen first hand.

[psychedelica]

I don't expect you to believe me. But like you said, we're allies, so I may as well tell you the truth.

[ a beat. ]

But I'll throw you a bone for your efforts. You're not wrong to think I have a second role.

[doublecrows]

[-- ah]

[there's a pause, and an arched brow. Akechi gives no verbal reply, like he's waiting for Hikage to continue]

[psychedelica]

[ he clicks his tongue. greedy akechi... ]

That's all you're getting. You're a detective, so you figure the rest out.

[doublecrows]

[greedy Akechi wants to know!1]

. . . you aren't a Historian.

[he says that matter of factly]

And you claim to not be an Editor.

Vizier, then.

[psychedelica]

You're still wrong.

[ he smiles, faintly. ]

No one's mentioned my role yet.

[doublecrows]

[I KNOW WHAT IT IS NOW!!]

[but Akechi would not, unfortunately. so he just scowls again, gaze narrowing]

Then, if I correctly guess it, will you tell me?

[psychedelica]

Fine. When that time comes, you'll tell me what the Vizier is in return.

[ his role is useless, anyway... he may as well get information in exchange for sharing it. ]

[doublecrows]

Very well. So long as you tell me what your role entails in return.

[QUID PRO QUO!!]

We'll speak again later this week.