[Week 6, Tuesday: Tiger]

[doublecrows]

[. . . now, how does one find a Tiger when the Tiger isn't the one calling out to them]

Tiger-san?

[Akechi roams the castle foyer, calling out her name, hoping to god that he doesn't stumble across anyone else first]

Tiger-san, are you there?

Comments

[themodsgrimm]

[But nobody answered bc Akechi is a binch who makes bad choices.

...

No, okay. The castle seems to understand what he wants and a doorway appears before him.]

[doublecrows]

[HE IS A BINCH TO MAKES BAD LIFE CHOICES, THIS IS TRU]

[. . . anyway. there's relief when he sees the doorway, and he steps through it easily, without hesitation. this is familiar!]

[themodsgrimm]

[But what's less familiar is when he steps through, he's not in the throne room! Tiger's in a lovely sitting room off to the side of her bedroom, and she waves him over. She'd generally stopped letting people come into her private chamber after The Break-In Incident, but...she's feeling lazy, and Akechi...

Isn't trustworthy, but. He's an evil she's used to.]

Come in, sit down!

[There's a teacup with his name on it! Come sip.]

[doublecrows]

["an evil she's used to" sounds about right. he blinks in surprise at his new surroundings, before taking a step forward and taking a seat. as directed]

How cozy. I'm almost jealous of your privacy, Tiger-san.

[themodsgrimm]

Hm. It becomes less appealing after so long, but it has it's perks.

[And then someone manages to break in and seal all your stuff anyway. She pucks up the teapot and pours him a cup. The liquid steams out clear, as if it's just hot water, but as it pools into the porcelain, turns shades. He'll end up with whatever his favorite tea is. Magic!]

[doublecrows]

[green tea, thank you very much! he's basic]

Oh? I can't imagine how it'd become less appealing after a time.

[IT'S CALLED LONELINESS, AKECHI. anyway, he lifts his cup and takes a sip]

-- and this is quite delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.

[themodsgrimm]

You’re so welcome, darling. I’m nothing if not eager to please.

[Says the most contrary woman in the world.]

So, I suppose I don’t need to ask you why you’ve come.

[doublecrows]

Yes, that's right. You told me you didn't wish to answer my question in Dragon-san's presence.

[another sip]

Will you answer it now that she is nowhere to be found?

[themodsgrimm]

[She grins.]

I wonder how fast you’ll spread my secrets, Sir Gossip.

[doublecrows]

I assure you, I'll keep yours completely under wraps. I wouldn't want to be placed in time out, after all.

[lol]

[themodsgrimm]

Well, so long as I have your word, I’ll trust you completely.

[TRULY spoken as if she isn’t going to trust him for shit.]

Remind me exactly what it was you wanted to know?

[doublecrows]

[not trusting Akechi is legit no one should trust Akechi]

Your goals. Your desires. What is it you want, should you win this game. Something more concrete than "changing the narrative."

[themodsgrimm]

Maybe what I want isn't necessarily concrete...but that doesn't have to make it difficult to understand.

[She turns her teacup around in her hand, staring down at her reflection in the water's surface.]

What does anyone want more than freedom?

[doublecrows]

[. . . oh]

[that. actually stuns him into silence. what does anyone want more than freedom. . .? didn't he give his up a long, long time ago?]

Power.

[he answers]

Influence. Respect. To be revered by others.

[themodsgrimm]

Well...all of those things are quite nice, too.

[Tiger places the teacup carefully down on the table between them and leans in.]

But if you could have it all, why leave any of it out?

[doublecrows]

[. . .]

Yes, I suppose you're right. There's no need to hold back if all of it is within your grasp.

[themodsgrimm]

I'm sure you understand...

[She knows he understands.]

There comes a point where you cannot simply turn back around. The only way to justify how far you've gone is to make it to the end.

[doublecrows]

[hahahahahahahaha]

I understand that mindset.

[traces the edges of his teacup with an index finger]

Because otherwise, every action you took along the way-- for better, or worse-- feels like a waste.