[ic] find the line, find the shape, find the outline

[lakebrat]

Finally alone in Leblanc, or at least in a facsimile of Leblanc devoid of people, Goro trails down the stairs and starts—what else?—making coffee. Crystal Mountain, he thinks; not that he's not in the mood for something more challenging, but after the day he's had... maybe a little comfort isn't too much to ask. He's already changed down, into a green overshirt of his own with a collared shirt beneath it, clothes of his own that were waiting upstairs for him like the pot of sunflowers.

Every minute or so, he finds himself looking around for Morgana. Every time, his heart sinks. Because this Leblanc isn't like the street outside, polished and plastic. No, for two pins, he could be unwinding in the dusty twilight back home. He'd give a lot, right now, to be able to snap at Mona to take his paws off the counter.

Wait, did he just see movement outside the door? His hands freeze, and he lifts the kettle to stop it pouring.

Comments

[phantomlotus]

Yeah, she kind of gets it. Like the guy probably did mean well... but it's still so... so irritating.

"...It does, yeah."

And unfortunately Akechi is right about the ambiguity with his world. There really is no telling, is there?

"I don't know for sure. I think what matters is how you deal with the info. It could help you, but you can't let it haunt you."

Which she understands is easier said than done.

[lakebrat]

Yeah, he gets it. He removes the filter and sets the alleged coffee in front of him, in its little white cup. "Like you're haunted."

[phantomlotus]

"...Maybe not my best choice of words, but... yeah."

She admits it point blank, looking Akechi straight in the eyes as she continues.

"If you can, just keep the info tucked away. It could be useful, but it's not the be all, end all. And if it does happen? Use it. Change fate."

She actually cracks a small, more soft smile.

"...Whatever happens, you'll rise to the challenge. I know it."

She just has a strong feeling that he will. Maybe it's her fondness for her own Akechi, or maybe she can just tell this Akechi is pretty well-grounded. Either way, she has faith in him.

[lakebrat]

"That's a lot of faith to have, in someone you've only just met. A bit of projection, maybe?" It's teasing, rather than unkind.

He folds his arms back on the counter, leaning forward. That smile of hers is so odd. He can see Ren in it; his Ren, the real one.

[phantomlotus]

Her smile becomes just a bit more teasing in turn.

"Well, you know. I'm sentimental."

She refuses to let that line go, not that this Akechi knows about it. Surprisingly, there's no hint of frustration or negativity behind her saying it.

"That, and you weigh things carefully, and you're quick on the uptake. Or at least that's what I'm getting out of this."

Those are good signs for someone stuck in the role she found herself in, if he is indeed in the same situation.

"Call it a hunch."

[lakebrat]

He lets himself smile, just barely. "Then we'll see if your hunch pans out."

There's a weight to the way she says sentimental, for sure. It seems more something Ren would say—and again, he thinks of the pot of sunflowers still glowing upstairs on his windowsill.

"Listen," he says, "we should probably ascertain just how the attic works. Either that, or I'll have to text for assistance, and I've already done that once or twice today. What do you think?"

[phantomlotus]

Oh yeah, the attic...

"Right, let's get to that. No point in making you get more help."

With one last sip of her coffee, she begins to stand, straightening up just a bit.

"So. How do we do this? Like with the doors?"

Imagine the place you want to go, and then it'll be there, right? So how does it work for the attic specifically when it has no door...

[lakebrat]

Like with the doors? So there's a trick to them? "Tell me about the doors."

Now he comes to think of it, this might be how he ended up in Aoyama this afternoon.

[phantomlotus]

"Not a hundred percent sure, but I think if you think of a place, you go there."

She kind of shrugs, not entirely certain of it.

"I end up in pretty convenient places around Shibuya or Yongen-Jaya when I want it, so that's the best guess I've got so far."

[lakebrat]

"So you picture the place you want, and end up on the other side?" What was he thinking about, when he took the door? He was more concerned with being ready for whatever might be there, wasn't he, than with what might be there?

"That's a convenient little trick. Quite timesaving, if I don't have to use those trains again." He winces.

[phantomlotus]

"So far it's worked for me, but it could be dumb luck."

She looks towards the staircase.

"Wanna test it?"

[lakebrat]

"You think if I focus on your attic, I'll get it?" He offers her a slightly wicked grin.

[phantomlotus]

"Maybe, if you know what mine looks like."

That's the trick, isn't it? Can you find someone else's version of a room if you don't actually know the specifics about it...

...Wait, she gave a hint with the Jack Frost comment earlier. She just has to hope that's not enough to lead to her version specifically.

"Give it a shot."

[lakebrat]

"Very well." It would be funny if he got it, wouldn't it?—then again, it would give her access to his space, which he isn't sure he wants.

No backing out now, though. He heads up to the stairs, speaking in a clear voice, like he would to the Nav. "The attic which belongs to the Ren Amamiya I just served coffee".

Then, quite determined (and a little concerned for opsec), he heads up the stairs.

[[ooc: and then they established that you can't get into someone else's attic, but can accompany the owner as a guest, and they saw each other's rooms including jack frost and!! the sunflowers. the end.]]