>>@ENTERTHEDRAGON | @ALL

[ryuji]

Looks like Sergeant Gramps is gettin' a little finicky that some stuff hasn't gone down. I got an idea on how to introduce the king to the guillotine. Anyone wanna start a riot with me to kick it off?

Basically, I got this list of VIPs who frequent the bar I work at, right? Turns out, a few of these boneheads are some serious players. All we gotta do is get into a fight of king supporters vs revolutionaries and inspire 'em to start writing some charges up. Who's in?

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[chariotry]

[ He gets up to his feet, stretching tall and holding his arms out like he's trying to gauge the intensity of the spell. His magic fluctuates, showing signs that this buff won't last long.

Maybe he needs actual formal training. He's got potential, that's for sure. ]

The Metaverse? Is this where Seiten Taisei is summoned from?

[ Trying to understand it in the context of his own understanding may be easier than... having to listen to Ryuji go off about cognition. ]

And you use his power to steal hearts and change people's twisted desires, is that right?

[ryuji]

[There's something nice about watching him get up and test out the flow of magical energies in his body. It's, of course, erratically ephemeral, but that doesn't stop a small sense of accomplishment emanating from it. His role has always been the tank of the group- and when compared in sheer strength or speed to Rider... well, that's so one-sided it's not even funny. He remembers that race. He also remembers how much pain he was in the next day all throughout work. Things he wouldn't tell anyone else.]

Yeah. The Metaverse is just a giant warehouse for humanity's inner desires and shit. I dunno. Geez, where the hell is that cat when you need 'em.

[For once in his life he wishes Morgana were here to be a little know-it-all about all things metaphysical.]

Kinda. It's more like the weaponry that we got going into that place to steal hearts. When people are seriously effed up, then they go and build these huge things called palaces and it keeps their hearts locked up safely. We just go in and snatch it up.

[To emphasize his point, he waves his hand in the air like a swiping motion. Not necessary, but Ryuji likes talking with his hands sometimes.]

[chariotry]

[ He'll cross his arms and actually consider what he says seriously. ]

So you steal hearts in the metaverse. You weren't being literal before. [ He's quietly mulling over the logic of it all, curious as to what the metaverse might look like. An alternate world where people's inner-selves and their twisted desires reside sounds odd. What would be the purpose of that? ]

And does stealing their "heart" actually change anything in them in the material world?

[ryuji]

[Is it right to do what he's about to do? That's entirely questionable and he knows he shouldn't, but it kind of just... happens anyway.]

Nah, I've been known to steal hearts outside of the Metaverse too.

[He realizes this was a mistake. He rubs the back of his head and laughs. Okay, Ryuji. Okay.]

B-but. Anyway. Right! So, you steal their heart in there, and their palace comes crumbling down. The dirtbag then has a change of heart and becomes crushed by the guilt of what they've done and comes clean.

[He's anxiously moving against the balls of his feet, hoping that he's at least explaining this right and that his previous pick up line goes unnoticed.]

Like in the case of a murderer who's hidden from the police. Steal his heart and he'll tell the world what he's done and then he's locked up. It's like kicking justice a little ol' kickstart to the face.

[chariotry]

[ ... Wow. He should be taken aback by that line, but he isn't. It's practically expected.

His expression alters minutely, a wide smile spreading his lips. ]

How many hearts could a virgin boy have actually stolen? [ Wow, just calling him out at point blank range. ]

Well, regardless your magic is pretty potent. If you weren't already bound to another, I might have taken you for myself at some point.

[ryuji]

[If anything he's learned from Akira over the last year, it's the value of a good deadpan. He just stares at Achilles. For a good, long, few moments. What the actual fuck.]

I was waiting for marriage.

[Any...way...

All sorts of new questions pop up in his head. He has to tend to those or else they'll literally be gone while he dwells on the fact that he was just called out for still having his v-card at 17. Life expectancy and populations are larger these days. That's just rude.]

Taken me? [What does he mean?]

Well... Joker had the ability to control a bunch of personas at once. He had some special conditions, though. Not sayin' that it's impossible, but---







Wait a second. Is a Heroic Spirit a persona? Are you a persona, Rider?

[chariotry]

[ Sorry, Ryuji, but he had to take that jab. You're being all cocky and it makes him want to take you down a peg because he's a giant hypocrite. ]

A persona? I don't even know what that is. But if a persona is what you summon, then I guess I am in a way.

Do you have command seals?

[ryuji]

Command what?

[chariotry]

Command seals, or spells.

Mages use can use up to three to force their Servant to obey an order. [ He holds up three fingers for visuals. ] After they're used up, the contract between Master and Servant is broken.

The contract you have with your persona doesn't function the same way?

[ryuji]

[Thanks, he always has a little bit of trouble going higher than 2 when he has to count.]

Oh... Nah, it doesn't work like that with this stuff. Summoning a persona just drains your life force. It's like... uh.

[How to put this?]

Shit, if you've ever played a video game, this would make, like. So much more goddamn sense. Physical attacks hurt your body to use and magical attacks hurt your mental state. But if you practice enough with it, it gets easier.

[chariotry]

[ Well, Ryuji isn't the brightest crayon.

That sounds familiar... ]

That's similar to how things work between a Master and a Servant, then. [ As he's explained before. ]

It's too bad you can't bring him out. I would've liked to meet him and see how strong he actually is.

[ryuji]

[Sure, joust it out for dominance over Ryuji's affection, Achilles. No big deal.]

... You wanna have a match?

[This is a bad idea.

Someone stop him.

Achilles, be the adult here.]

[chariotry]

[ ... Oh hell yeah. He barks out a laugh, throwing an arm around Ryuji. ]

That all depends. What would happen if I actually killed him?

[ Teasing... But of course he's being serious beneath the jovial and light tone he's taken on. ]

Would you be back on the market?

[ryuji]

[He leers over at the arm so casually draped over his shoulder. But pushing him away would also be a testament to subtly admitting that he absolutely remembers the kiss they'd shared, in its completeness, the night that they did it. So he just allows it.

They're just two bros, right?

Doin' bro things.]

He doesn't have a form or a body. He's just a part of my heart, so, we'd be facing each other like this, y'know? And if you killed 'em, you'd have to kill me.

[Annnd.... Achilles is being greasy again. He's the type of guy who wants to have sex in the hall of mirrors just so he can get the best angles.]

Can't really be on any market if I'm dead.

[He'll just... raise an eyebrow at him suspiciously.]

[chariotry]

You're serious? [ It's not a question that's meant to be answered. He can wrap his head around such a concept, it's just not something he was expecting.

Also what the fuck... He isn't being greasy. He's just being friendly. ]

Then you should probably reconsider challenging me. I won't hold back just because I've decided I like you.

[ryuji]

[This is definitely culture shock.

Achilles walking up to him, putting his arm around him freely, and then saying that he likes him has a very different effect on him than it would to other Europeans that they're surrounded by.

He side-eyes Achilles for a few moments. What is he trying to do? What signals is he trying to send off? Ryuji honestly can't figure this guy out to save his life.]

Dude, telling me to do something is almost as bad as telling me not to do something.

[And besides...

Ryuji just doesn't... get it. When you've been rejected this many times, it's hard to think that there are a ton of qualities about yourself that are worth liking to begin with. Why did this have to be so goddamn confusing?]

You're uh. You're pretty cool too.

[chariotry]

You think so? [ All that air of laughter has left him, his countenance taking a shift as flirtation edges into something more deliberate and fervent. ]

Then, would you rather fight me or fight beside me? [ He leans on Ryuji slightly, matching his eye level by sinking to his lesser height. He's close, having definitely entered his personal bubble, but he's keeping a purposeful distance.

He wants Ryuji to look him in the eye and answer him. ]

[ryuji]

[If Achilles thinks he's being slightly flirtatious, it's partially working. The part that isn't... is the part that sticks out to Ryuji the worst. He looks at Rider as he directs that question at him, and suddenly he's thrown back a year in time, remembering the first time he came into his persona. He wanted to do something, anything, to be able to stand up for himself.

To fight alongside someone that wasn't even here with him anymore.

There's an empty hole in Ryuji's heart that's left hollowed out by his friends not being here. Truth be told, once he's learned how to work with others, it's so damning to go back and try it all over from the beginning without them. So Ryuji doesn't look at Achilles like he's entering his personal space, just that... he's there. He doesn't seem like a bad guy.

Is this what Joker thought of him when they first met, and Ryuji had teamed up with him even if he had his hesitations toward it? His answer would've been the same, either way.

He smiles at Achilles.]

Together.

[chariotry]

[ That's answer he wanted. As much as he enjoys a good fight, he's more inclined to protect someone he considers a friend than to beat them down and prove his strength. Ryuji is someone he considers to be a good person, and a boy with a pure heart. He's a mage on top of that, making him the perfect candidate for a Master.

Of course he'd love to fight beside him.

Responding to his smile, he mirrors that soft expression and leans forward to kiss him.

You know. For mana.

Ryuji, love yourself. ]

[ryuji]

[The second time it happens, it doesn't feel as... unexpected as it does the first time. Ryuji leans a little into it, which surprises him, but he accepts Achilles' lips against his own. Flustered, just like he was the first time, but not so much as a mess as he was before. His mask still on, he's keenly aware of that mana that slowly draws itself out of him and into the other.

Ryuji's the first to pull away, as he brings his hands up to his lips, as if checking they're still there. His heart stirs, and even though this is all one hell of a confusing moment, he scratches the back of his head and looks away.]

Dude.

[And then it hits him- he smirks, looking ever menacing when he's still in his Phantom Thieves mode.]

I can't believe you just stole my first kiss like that.

[Achilles, love yourself.]

[chariotry]

[ The kiss is too fleeting to actually be effective. He certainly tries to prolong it, parting his own lips so he can fit their mouths together and indulgently lick a pathway into him. He doesn't get the chance, because Ryuji is pulling away too quickly, only to be caught by the hook of his arm coiled around his shoulders. He's not going anywhere.

He admits his lack of experience and it doesn't earn any surprise from Achilles. ]

I've stolen your second it seems, too. [ He smiles. And pretty much crowds him so that he's forced to step back, until the backs of his knees hit the edge of the bed. ]

How about your third?

[ryuji]

[He has to admit, it does look intensely amusing to see Achilles' face as he draws backward, his intent to follow through and make that kiss much less transient written all over the features of his face. But it's not... incredibly long lived as Achilles has gotten him by the neck, proverbially and well, in actuality as well. His step backwards is met with a swaying step forward, and he's caught in this web, at least for now.

This is Paris, the most romantic city in the world, and here he is, above a closed bar in the middle of the revolution, and Achilles is just... taking entire jumps forward when what Ryuji really needed was the baby steps. You can't learn to waltz without knowing the box step.]

Oh, second? Sorry. Gonna have to jog my memory a bit. How the hell did that one go?

[Onto the makeshift bed he goes- it's not anything fancy by any stretch of the word- really just a few crates with some torn up blankets on top of it, but if Achilles doesn't mind, he guesses he doesn't either. Pushed a little bit more, and he dodges under Achilles' grasp of his shoulder, if only to sit down on it, looking up from his seated position to smirk. That rabbit motif might be true after all.]

You ever read those trashy magazines? Pretty sure that by the third kiss you're practically datin'. I don't wanna thrust that responsibility onto anyone.

[chariotry]

[ Dating isn't a thing -- rather, it wasn't a thing in the era he was from. You're either married or not, and even then married men often had open affairs with other people.

He a fuck boi.

Which he proves as he plants a knee on the bed, half-straddling Ryuji so he can shove him down. ]

This is how you can give me mana.

[ryuji]

[This is definitely not what he's bargained for, and again, just like the first time, Achilles goes farther than he's expecting to. Ryuji feels that pang of nervousness rise up straight inside him, as he moves backward on the bed a little bit- half in accommodation of the other, and half out of fear that he's going to be power housed into allowing Achilles onto his lap. An arm steadies his body to bolster him upward.]

D-dude! You're so freakin' forward.

[chariotry]

[ Huh? He pauses, looking at him with a slight look of concern.

He's waiting for your next move, Ryuji. Are you accepting him or not? ]

What? Would you rather I court you like you were a woman? [ He pulls back like he's considering this option, because he hadn't thought of it before. He's so used to people falling over their feet for him with just a smile. ]