[He doesn't have to wait very long for an answer; the door opens a few moments later to reveal a reasonably cheerful-looking Ann, exhausted from the week but glad for the chance to smooth things over with the present company. She hasn't strayed too far from the way she would have dressed back home, still wearing a long sweatshirt over a skirt and tights despite the lack of a uniform. Behind her, it's obvious that she's been making an effort to make the room she's chosen a bit more comfortable, though it still has a ways to go.]
Hey! Wow, right on time. Should've guessed you'd be super punctual.
[ Naturally, Akechi hasn't spent much time in his room, let alone thought to decorate it. He had been surprised with how much Akira had managed to do in the very short time living at Leblanc - declaring it with memorabilia from all his trips with all friends. The thought makes his right hand twitch into a fist for a split second before he relaxes easily enough. ]
Ah, yes. You tend to be after your first encounter with an angry reporter. [ Pleasantly, he smiles. ] Are you ready to go?
Makes sense. You've had a lot of interviews, so lots of chances to get it right.
[She laughs just a little, and she's surprised at how nervous it sounds, hoping he didn't catch that. Akechi was always bright and pleasant, so much so that it was almost unnerving. She'd always considered herself to be plenty confident, but Akechi took it to another level.
She clears her throat, brightening as she steps out into the hall and closes her door behind her.]
Absolutely! Not that it's a long walk or anything, but-- it's nice that you wanted to walk together.
That's a good point! I mean, that's why we're here, right? To get to know each other better?
[They're missing a month of time between the two of them, but Ann hopes that she'll finish out the day having a better read on Akechi than she did before.]
Pretty well, all things considered. It's a lot to get used to... definitely quieter than home, since there are fewer people, but it feels a lot like being in a Palace. Otherworldly, you know? How about you?
They really are pretty useful-- I hear they backfire sometimes, but I haven't seen it yet.
[She kind of wants to, just to sate her own curiosity, but she knows she could very well come to regret that.]
I know what you mean. [She exhales softly, her mouth pulling to one side as they walk, thoughtful.] I don't even have your kind of schedule, and I'm still not sure what to do with myself.
That's right - how often do you have photo shoots? I imagine those can get exhausting, especially in the summer, if they go for too long.
[ it's surprisingly easy chatting with ann. it's a lot less forced than he thought it would be... than it had been back in the casino. the casino had been fun, he can't deny that, but this just feels simple. maybe it's the lack of masks... ]
[It definitely helps that they aren't racing against time to force a change of heart. At the moment, the only thing on the horizon is coffee, and that makes things infinitely easier than they might be otherwise-- not that Ann would know.]
It changes from week to week. I'm only doing it part-time, but I've been getting more calls lately-- some of the regulars haven't been showing up to shoots.
[That's a story in and of itself, one she's still not exactly sure she's heard all the pieces of just yet.]
I've been taking on more work this past year overall. I'm nowhere near as famous as you are, but I've been recognized a few times. [It helps that she stands out, she's sure.] It still feels weird when it happens. Is that what it's like for you?
[ is that what it's like for him? that's hard to say. ]
You'd be surprised at what you get used to over time. [ it's a broad, sweeping generalization but it's true. there's a tiny puff of air - a laugh - but he nods and decides to also add, ] At first it was a bit nerve-wracking. I wasn't used to anyone knowing my name before that. It took me a few months to get used to the attention.
[ and the... fangirls. but those were a different story. ] I'm sure you'll reach that level in no time. I can't imagine your career not taking off.
[He's on TV so often that he's well on his way to becoming a household name.
It takes a moment for the compliment he offers to register, but when it finally does, she feels her face color a little bit, and she clears her throat faintly before facing forward as they near the stairs.]
Thank you-- that's nice of you to say. For awhile, I didn't think I would want to do it long-term, but I think I might. I've been wanting to take it more seriously lately.
My best friend-- she's been in the hospital for a long while now. It's been a slow recovery, and her physical therapy is really hard work. I've wanted to support her by showing her that I'm working hard, too-- but it's been tricky finding something I'm good at. I never really thought of modeling as more than a hobby, but now I'm thinking that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing it right-- I should be doing the very best that I can.
[But she's only at rank 8 right now, so she's not entirely sold yet.]
That's very admirable. [ His hands shuffle into his pockets and he keeps his gaze straight ahead for the next park. ] Forgive me for overreaching, though, but I think you should work hard for yourself, first. If she sees that you're working hard at something you genuinely are invested in, the rest will come naturally.
Yes-- Shiho. Until I met the other Phantom Thieves, she was more than just my best friend, she was my only friend.
[They're nearing the bottom of the stairwell now, the coffee shop just around the corner, but she glances over and offers him a faint smile-- that observation is one she'd started to put together herself, but only recently. She'd wasted a lot of time beforehand.]
That's good advice. I think that's why I was having trouble finding something that stuck before. It wasn't until I started re-evaluating what I was putting into modeling and having my professionalism challenged that I realized that I want it to be more than just a hobby. Not only that, I want to be the best version of myself that I possibly can be.
[ When they get to the coffeeshop, naturally he'll hold open the door for her. He's a practiced gentleman, after all. He couldn't be seen not being one, even in a place like this. ]
I'm sure you'll reach your goal in no time, though as an outside observer, I don't think you have that far to go.
[ So smooth, Goro, so smooth. He heads over to the counter now to decide what to order!! ]
[Almost too smooth. Especially after everything that happened with Kamoshida, it's a little tough to accept compliments, although he seems genuine enough-- actually, he's been nothing but polite so far, right down to his holding the door open.]
That's really nice of you. I, ah-- didn't realize you kept up with the fashion scene?
[How else would he be able to make a call like that? She joins him at the counter, standing on her tiptoes long enough to get good look at the items in the very back of the pastry case.]
Oooh, these are even prettier than the cupcakes they had out the last time I was here...
It comes up sometimes on the segments before mine, but I was mostly referring to you as a person. You seem confident and comfortable with who you are already.
[ He eyes the cupcakes as well. He's never really been into sweets before - actually, he couldn't really nail down a favorite food, perhaps sushi? - but it wasn't that he didn't dislike them. His gaze sweeps over the vibrant colors. ]
[Really, he's not wrong, although that confidence didn't come entirely from modeling. Weathering rumors as long as she has, you had to learn not to care about what other people thought and invest in what you thought about yourself instead.
She smiles in return, and while it's just a little bit shy and caught off-guard, it's genuine.]
Thank you.
[Her gaze moves back to the cupcakes-- really, that's the best idea she's heard all day.]
That's a great idea! We have to sample the wares, right? Make sure this place is up to our standards.
Of course. How else will we know whether or not to fully recommend it to the others?
[ His gaze sweeps over the pancakes again as he catches the owner's eye. True to his suggestion, he orders a variety of flavors: the red velvet, sweet cream vanilla, double chocolate fudge, and apple pie. The colors are awfully appealing, some with little fruit pieces on top, and they look even better on a plate. Almost too good to eat, to ruin by plucking away at the wrappers.
As an afterthought, he orders a simple americano with milk and then turns back to Ann, voice calm: ]
[He has excellent taste, and Ann's brightening expression and widening eyes as their plate is put together are utterly unironic. Never let it be said that she doesn't enjoy the simplest of pleasures; some girls are high maintenance, but Ann is easily won over by sweets and good company.
When he asks for her coffee order, her smile hitches a bit wider and she places it with the girl behind the counter.]
French vanilla with cream, please!
[As much as she loves sweet things, coffee without sugar is a much better choice to pair with cupcakes so that they're not at war with one another. Once their coffee comes, she inclines her head towards a table near one of the windows, out of the way enough that if someone from home were to walk in, they wouldn't be terribly disturbed by it.]
[ He nods. It's a good spot, one he likely would have picked out himself. While he enjoys being in the limelight, moments like these hardly call for that sort of thing. Coffee has always been something quieter, something more intimate.
He takes a seat and sets the plate of cupcakes down on the table. One leg crosses over the other and he takes a sip of his own coffee. Definitely not Leblanc but that's fine. It'll do for now. ]
Thank you for showing me this place. I won't be surprised if I start frequenting it. It reminds me quite a bit of Leblanc.
[Ann nods in agreement, settling into her own seat opposite him with both hands curled around her cup of coffee, ankles crossed. The cupcakes between them are tempting, but she manages to hold onto some semblance of manners for now, retraining herself from reaching for one immediately. They are, after all, here to talk.]
Me, too. It's not the same without Boss here, but it does make Wonderland feel a little more homey.
[She exhales slowly, pulling her coffee cup towards herself.]
But speaking of Boss and Leblanc... you've spent a lot of time there, haven't you? Even before becoming one of us. I'm curious to know how you joined the Phantom Thieves, since you remember so much that I don't. I can tell you my story too if you want-- if you haven't heard it already-- just so it's an even trade!
[ Ah. So she was a smart girl after all. He knew that the Thieves had to be a brilliant bunch of delinquents, given their accomplishments, and it's good to know that Kurusu wasn't pulling the weight for the team. ]
Of course. [ a beat. does he just launch into this story? Maybe. ] It's a bit of an embarrassing story, actually. [ Is it? ] I received an invite to speak at Shujin's festival. I suppose it was a popular vote of sorts. [ Sure. ] At any rate, it came to my attention that your group was most likely the same Thieves I had been chasing after. We reached a sort of compromise before the end of the festival. I'd join the team to help change Sae's heart. In exchange, the Thieves would leave justice in the hands of the law and disband after.
[ that's definitely sugar coating it, but.... ]
... I must say, though, I enjoyed being part of the team. It's very exhilarating.
[It lines up with what little he'd told her beforehand, when they'd been struggling to get themselves on the same page on their first day here. She supposes that much is to be expected-- it wasn't like she was looking for holes in his story, after all, she just wanted to know.
She nods, pausing to take a sip of her coffee.]
I shouldn't be surprised that people wanted you to show up at the festival. You've only been getting more and more popular lately.
[She presses her lips together for a moment, thoughtful.]
How did you figure out it was us? We'd been really careful. And wanting us to disband...
[Her expression falls, just a bit.]
If you were part of the team, then you should know that all we ever wanted to do was help people. Help people when nobody else could-- or when they just wouldn't.
[Her tone of voice shifts ever so slightly. That last bit... it's personal, for her. Without the Phantom Thieves, where would she be now?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Hey! Wow, right on time. Should've guessed you'd be super punctual.
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Ah, yes. You tend to be after your first encounter with an angry reporter. [ Pleasantly, he smiles. ] Are you ready to go?
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[She laughs just a little, and she's surprised at how nervous it sounds, hoping he didn't catch that. Akechi was always bright and pleasant, so much so that it was almost unnerving. She'd always considered herself to be plenty confident, but Akechi took it to another level.
She clears her throat, brightening as she steps out into the hall and closes her door behind her.]
Absolutely! Not that it's a long walk or anything, but-- it's nice that you wanted to walk together.
[They are gonna ace this friendship thing.]
no subject
[ ah. while that's true, perhaps he should amend that statement. ]
Besides, it gives us more time to chat.
[ there!! that sounded friendly! ]
Speaking of that, how are you adjusting?
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[They're missing a month of time between the two of them, but Ann hopes that she'll finish out the day having a better read on Akechi than she did before.]
Pretty well, all things considered. It's a lot to get used to... definitely quieter than home, since there are fewer people, but it feels a lot like being in a Palace. Otherworldly, you know? How about you?
no subject
[ he wrinkles his nose, thinking about all of the joys this world has been so far. it's definitely been weird. ]
The quiet is nice, I agree. I'm not used to having this much free time on my hands. I'm a bit... unsure what to do with it, to be honest.
no subject
[She kind of wants to, just to sate her own curiosity, but she knows she could very well come to regret that.]
I know what you mean. [She exhales softly, her mouth pulling to one side as they walk, thoughtful.] I don't even have your kind of schedule, and I'm still not sure what to do with myself.
no subject
[ it's surprisingly easy chatting with ann. it's a lot less forced than he thought it would be... than it had been back in the casino. the casino had been fun, he can't deny that, but this just feels simple. maybe it's the lack of masks... ]
no subject
It changes from week to week. I'm only doing it part-time, but I've been getting more calls lately-- some of the regulars haven't been showing up to shoots.
[That's a story in and of itself, one she's still not exactly sure she's heard all the pieces of just yet.]
I've been taking on more work this past year overall. I'm nowhere near as famous as you are, but I've been recognized a few times. [It helps that she stands out, she's sure.] It still feels weird when it happens. Is that what it's like for you?
no subject
You'd be surprised at what you get used to over time. [ it's a broad, sweeping generalization but it's true. there's a tiny puff of air - a laugh - but he nods and decides to also add, ] At first it was a bit nerve-wracking. I wasn't used to anyone knowing my name before that. It took me a few months to get used to the attention.
[ and the... fangirls. but those were a different story. ] I'm sure you'll reach that level in no time. I can't imagine your career not taking off.
[ goro wow ]
no subject
[He's on TV so often that he's well on his way to becoming a household name.
It takes a moment for the compliment he offers to register, but when it finally does, she feels her face color a little bit, and she clears her throat faintly before facing forward as they near the stairs.]
Thank you-- that's nice of you to say. For awhile, I didn't think I would want to do it long-term, but I think I might. I've been wanting to take it more seriously lately.
no subject
Lately? Did something happen recently that gave you a change of heart?
[ HA. HA HA HA. He's so funny without even trying! The polite smile is still there, despite the slight twinkle in his eye over the choice of words. ]
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I suppose you could say that.
[No theft necessary for this change, though.]
My best friend-- she's been in the hospital for a long while now. It's been a slow recovery, and her physical therapy is really hard work. I've wanted to support her by showing her that I'm working hard, too-- but it's been tricky finding something I'm good at. I never really thought of modeling as more than a hobby, but now I'm thinking that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing it right-- I should be doing the very best that I can.
[But she's only at rank 8 right now, so she's not entirely sold yet.]
no subject
[ .....oh. That would make sense, wouldn't it? ]
That's very admirable. [ His hands shuffle into his pockets and he keeps his gaze straight ahead for the next park. ] Forgive me for overreaching, though, but I think you should work hard for yourself, first. If she sees that you're working hard at something you genuinely are invested in, the rest will come naturally.
no subject
[They're nearing the bottom of the stairwell now, the coffee shop just around the corner, but she glances over and offers him a faint smile-- that observation is one she'd started to put together herself, but only recently. She'd wasted a lot of time beforehand.]
That's good advice. I think that's why I was having trouble finding something that stuck before. It wasn't until I started re-evaluating what I was putting into modeling and having my professionalism challenged that I realized that I want it to be more than just a hobby. Not only that, I want to be the best version of myself that I possibly can be.
no subject
I'm sure you'll reach your goal in no time, though as an outside observer, I don't think you have that far to go.
[ So smooth, Goro, so smooth. He heads over to the counter now to decide what to order!! ]
no subject
That's really nice of you. I, ah-- didn't realize you kept up with the fashion scene?
[How else would he be able to make a call like that? She joins him at the counter, standing on her tiptoes long enough to get good look at the items in the very back of the pastry case.]
Oooh, these are even prettier than the cupcakes they had out the last time I was here...
no subject
[ He eyes the cupcakes as well. He's never really been into sweets before - actually, he couldn't really nail down a favorite food, perhaps sushi? - but it wasn't that he didn't dislike them. His gaze sweeps over the vibrant colors. ]
Perhaps we should get a few and split them?
[ Maybe a red velvet, perhaps. ]
no subject
She smiles in return, and while it's just a little bit shy and caught off-guard, it's genuine.]
Thank you.
[Her gaze moves back to the cupcakes-- really, that's the best idea she's heard all day.]
That's a great idea! We have to sample the wares, right? Make sure this place is up to our standards.
no subject
[ His gaze sweeps over the pancakes again as he catches the owner's eye. True to his suggestion, he orders a variety of flavors: the red velvet, sweet cream vanilla, double chocolate fudge, and apple pie. The colors are awfully appealing, some with little fruit pieces on top, and they look even better on a plate. Almost too good to eat, to ruin by plucking away at the wrappers.
As an afterthought, he orders a simple americano with milk and then turns back to Ann, voice calm: ]
What kind of coffee would you like?
no subject
When he asks for her coffee order, her smile hitches a bit wider and she places it with the girl behind the counter.]
French vanilla with cream, please!
[As much as she loves sweet things, coffee without sugar is a much better choice to pair with cupcakes so that they're not at war with one another. Once their coffee comes, she inclines her head towards a table near one of the windows, out of the way enough that if someone from home were to walk in, they wouldn't be terribly disturbed by it.]
Is over here okay?
no subject
He takes a seat and sets the plate of cupcakes down on the table. One leg crosses over the other and he takes a sip of his own coffee. Definitely not Leblanc but that's fine. It'll do for now. ]
Thank you for showing me this place. I won't be surprised if I start frequenting it. It reminds me quite a bit of Leblanc.
no subject
Me, too. It's not the same without Boss here, but it does make Wonderland feel a little more homey.
[She exhales slowly, pulling her coffee cup towards herself.]
But speaking of Boss and Leblanc... you've spent a lot of time there, haven't you? Even before becoming one of us. I'm curious to know how you joined the Phantom Thieves, since you remember so much that I don't. I can tell you my story too if you want-- if you haven't heard it already-- just so it's an even trade!
no subject
Of course. [ a beat. does he just launch into this story? Maybe. ] It's a bit of an embarrassing story, actually. [ Is it? ] I received an invite to speak at Shujin's festival. I suppose it was a popular vote of sorts. [ Sure. ] At any rate, it came to my attention that your group was most likely the same Thieves I had been chasing after. We reached a sort of compromise before the end of the festival. I'd join the team to help change Sae's heart. In exchange, the Thieves would leave justice in the hands of the law and disband after.
[ that's definitely sugar coating it, but.... ]
... I must say, though, I enjoyed being part of the team. It's very exhilarating.
no subject
She nods, pausing to take a sip of her coffee.]
I shouldn't be surprised that people wanted you to show up at the festival. You've only been getting more and more popular lately.
[She presses her lips together for a moment, thoughtful.]
How did you figure out it was us? We'd been really careful. And wanting us to disband...
[Her expression falls, just a bit.]
If you were part of the team, then you should know that all we ever wanted to do was help people. Help people when nobody else could-- or when they just wouldn't.
[Her tone of voice shifts ever so slightly. That last bit... it's personal, for her. Without the Phantom Thieves, where would she be now?]