[Atsushi swallows at the sudden change in Akutagawa's behavior, but it was probably justified, given that Fukuchi literally killed him. They already tried to beat him together, so the chances of Akutagawa doing it alone is .. slim, to say the least. But he can relate to that wish at least.
He nods slowly, directing his gaze back to the cub, who is slowly falling asleep in his lap.]
I wished for everything regarding The Book to be undone. That all these bad things and deaths .. that they never happened.
[That man is the root of the issue and thus must be dealt with. He did take the factor his surviving will be slim, but it didn’t matter. The swelled anger slowly quelled down, but not completely. Looking at the cub helped anchored him to the present.]
It’s almost quite the same, but different.
[Their focus was around the book, yet the conclusion was different. Whether ones wish do come true or not, is a phantom. Suppose it was time to move on to another subject.]
[Which he does, at least giving some distance so Akechi’s neck doesn’t tire. Akutagawa finds a decent tree and leans back. His shoulder relaxes best they could, no doubt this man is still on guard.]
You mentioned a third party possibly. Have you gathered what transpired last year of the dragons?
[It didn't take long to track Akutagawa down. Oda is no Ango when it comes to intel, but he still knows how to gather it. This kid hasn't exactly been discrete...]
Akutagawa-kun. It's Oda. [Will that be a shock? He's supposed to be dead.] I'd like to talk to you. I'm sure I don't have to explain the predicament I've found myself in.
Edited (I'm adding suffixes cause it's fun) 2024-08-10 08:33 (UTC)
[Well, it shouldn’t be hard. This man been here for more than a year. It takes a moment for Akutagawa to reply. He’s staring questionably at his device as the message place. He still remembers this person, and Dazai’s words about him. Finally… Akutagawa hits reply as well, video on. The once young teen now older, but his features stayed somewhat the same.]
No need. [He’s surprisingly content. As if talking to a mafia member.] You fell deeper into a rabbit hole, Odasaku. How was your trip?
[No, this certainly isn't the 16-year-old brat Odasaku once knew. How long has he been dead? It doesn't seem to be news, at least - nor does whatever the Hell else is going on.]
You've been here a while, then, I'm guessing.
You'll fill me in, won't you? Seems there's a lot for me to catch up on.
Over a year, yes. [And his birthday passed, but whatever.] Of course, as you senpai, it’s my responsibility.
[Dead or not.]
This world is known as Somnius. Fantasy based, we’re all summoned here from various timelines all because of a so-called ‘wish’ we desire. People come and leave. Whether their wish was granted when they left is unknown.
["Senpai" is technically right, but Oda struggles with it at times, if only because the Akutagawa he remembers is so young. Maybe "-san" instead. Besides. He isn't in the mafia anymore.
[Right?]
I understand that much, thanks. [He's not being short about it - he really means it.] I've been reading up on this network as best I can, but it's better to hear it from the horse's mouth.
Let me ask you something more specific. Is there anyone else here from our world?
[Ah. Good, he’s doing his own homework. There is a small sigh of relief from Akutagawa. That saves his breath.]
Only two. The clown Nicolas Gogol was a terrorist. [Was for a reason.] He’s a gift user as well, be wary of him. Another one is—- Jinko. I’m taking care of him.
[He wonders who "Jinko" is (seems like a nickname, given "Nikolai Gogol" - first and last - was the alternative example), but if he doesn't recognize it, then it's probably someone after his time. He'll learn.]
Got it. [He'll be contacting her right away.] What kind of mess are we talking? [Akutagawa sounds like he has information.]
There’s a certain pattern. Every month something befalls in this place. One month is something simple. Following month is disorderly. The landscape suddenly undergo a change, new foes, and—-[Tsk! His eyes narrowed, but more away from Oda, he was quietly pissed, recapping the last event.]—mind games.
[Though, he’s not completely sure if Oda has an ability or not, he speculated it at the time. He imagines this man will on work getting it back as well.]
I also drank the red potion granting me fire ability.
Yeah, [Atsushi nods slowly, almost chewing on his lip.] After all, he is the reason that all of this happened, so .. with him out of the way, it would be a lot better. [he doesn't like the idea of killing, and he remembers that he made Akutagawa promise, but who knows what has happened since then? And maybe .. maybe this man is the exception to the rule.]
What potion? Oh, right, the flask that I got when I arrived? You mean this one?
[He pulls a flask out of his pocket, shimmering blue in the light that shines into Akutagawa's home.]
[Yes, that man was far better off dead, especially what was soon to follow. But if he doesn’t know yet, would it be fair to explain? He contemplated the idea for a while, but maybe no, not yet. The present should be the main focus now.
Then Atsushi pulled the flask to see. The brimming blue light fills the area around them, even the small had the urge to look and even attempted to reach for it with its paw. A nostalgic feeling washes over him. Akutagawa nods, his focus back on the tiger man. He points to the flask.]
Yes, there are two more, a red and gold one.
That in your hand is the potion of healing. If you drink it, not only you’ll be able to heal yourself, you can heal others as well. A gift from our captor. Whether you drink it or not is entirely up to you.
["Thanks for your permission," he thinks, but he knows better than to say so. The kid is genuinely trying to help, at least. It's more than a little baffling. The last Oda remembers Akutagawa, he was akin to a snarling, rabid dog. A lot changes in four years - five, really.]
I appreciate your help.
Suppose I'll see how much something like a healing ability might be necessary before making that decision.
listen, he read it but i haven't yet stop help me. pls.
[Mr. Know it all is all too happy to relay the bare basics of what happened and what he's learned. He keeps it summarized in a neat little statement - opts to keep the more intricate details to himself.]
[Well, he wasn’t exactly trying to act like some boss. The PM here has no meaning nor purpose without a leader. Still, as a higher up, Akutagawa will maintain his duty to watch the peers, even if they expired 4 years ago.]
Fulfilling my role.
[He really has no control whether Oda takes the potion or not.]
Plenty. [But he and Akutagawa don't know each other well, and most of it, he can find from reading through the network.]
I'll continue gathering information on my own. No need to bother you. If you'd answer when I call, though, I'd appreciate that. You have a lot more experience than me when it comes to this. [Apparently, anyway.]
Of course, I extend the same courtesy. ["Courtesy," because no, neither of them are in the Port Mafia while they're here.]
[Fiiiiiiine. But there was something he didn’t read from this man’s statement. It’s not bad, Akutagawa could confirm what he gathered is true what they discussed prior on the network.]
[And he begins to describe a dream he happened to have thanks to his dragon in details. Though only certain entities and a dragon made their appearance, he had yet seen this come before.]
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