[Vil takes the offered hand, standing with all the grace and elegance one would expect from someone so focused on beauty and the spotlight.]
Then perhaps I should lead the dance? Unless you insist of course.
[He wasn't keen on a possible second-rate dance, but if Akechi was certain he wouldn't be a disappointment... or more likely he had control issues he didn't want to think too hard about, either way Vil would accept his choice and critique his skill after if needed.
[Vil stands and rounds Akechi in a sweeping motion, he fluidly leads him to the dance floor with grace that made the motion look like part of a dance itself.
The dance he starts is faster in pace, and somewhat involved. Akechi claimed some skill in dancing, and so there was no reason to bore himself if he wasn’t dealing with a novice. That said it wasn’t so involved that they wouldn’t be able to talk. Presumably. Vil would adjust if it was.]
I’m a jack of all trades but master of none. Most skills I only need to learn on a superficial level- enough to convince an audience and look good doing it.
[And Akechi is getting a twirl before Vil continues.]
That said, I suppose you could count magic to a degree. I didn’t bother to pursue my natural talents in magic until I attended Night Raven College. While I apparently have a naturally large reserve of magic to draw from, I still can’t utilize it very well.
What about you? Surely there are subjects you find yourself lacking in, or simply found them not worth pursuing.
[Akechi has learned enough to not embarrass himself or any potential partner during one of the many high end gatherings he attends with Shido, on his behalf, as a celebrity. While lacking years of training, he keeps up with Vil well enough. Follows his lead. Plays the part of a perfect partner to the best of his ability.]
Perhaps this place will assist in that. It gives you an ample amount of time to train outside of the confines of your reality. I suppose that's one benefit to being trapped here.
[His eyes move to the ceiling at a question returned - what can't he do? Very little, when it comes down to it. He learned to be a detective on the fly. Became a near overnight celebrity. Ah, well-]
I suppose fishing would count. I lack the finesse required, though I have done well on yachts with proper [Cheating. High end.] equipment. Cooking as well - it's not worthwhile venture to me given the amount of instant food available. I've tried on occasion. It's never comes out well and it eats into time I need for other things.
At this point it's less a matter of learning, and more of an undeveloped muscle. It's lead to its own advantage in that it's very difficult for me to exhaust my magical stamina. My spells may not be the as potent as those trained to draw deep from my power, nor are they as controlled as those forced to work around smaller reserves, but I will remain standing when all others have fallen to exhaustion.
[And he WAS going to comment about the fishing, he had his own learning experiences from it, however then Akechi makes the fatal mistake of mentioning his less-than-stellar diet, and Vil honestly can't just let that go.]
Instant food is terrible for you. You'll find yourself short on energy and you skill and hair will reflect your poor diet. Don't think media won't start hounding you about it. The least you could do is learn a bit of simple meal prep.
No need to worry. I've been eating it daily since I was young. If I were to have any ill effects, they would have shown themselves many years ago. The convenience stores and vending machines in my reality offer healthy, suitable options. It's not all instant noodles.
[It's mostly instant noodles. 12 years of delicious konbini meals? All is well.]
In reference to your earlier comment - is there a way to develop that magical muscle so to speak? I assume it takes more than training against another individual.
That just makes it worse! If you've been eating it your whole life you wouldn't even recognize the ill effects! It's only going to get worse as you get older. [Ugh he can't believe he's offering this, but he can't allow this travesty to continue.] Really, if you're going to resort to instant garbage, just come over for dinner with us. I'll make you something better.
[Hopefully the allure of free no-effort food is enough of a motivator, it always seemed to work with the perpetually hungry state of NRC students. Akechi was a pretty average build, and was decently active, Vil wouldn't have a hard time putting together a meal that he would get the most out of.
And hopefully after a while he would notice a difference and maintain the habit of his own volition. Because clearly the world needs Akechi with more energy so he can make bad decisions with gusto.]
Yes and no. Imagine never using your legs until you're 16 years old. Can you learn to walk and run? Certainly, but unless you make it your prime focus it's unlikely that you'll become a expert ballet or tap dancer. It's not impossible, but unlikely.
[The tempo gets faster, then slower - Akechi follows Vil's rhythm over what's happening with the music. Tries to ensure he doesn't trip over their feet with the uptick and sudden downward beat.]
I appreciate your offer. I don't mind having a meal together sometime - your company isn't unwanted. However I should clarify - in this reality, Maruki-san has taken on kitchen duty. We have an arrangement, and it's something he enjoys doing. I eat well here.
[He can't deny that. Three meals always waiting, even if Akechi doesn't indulge in all of them. He moves on to the other topic.]
To your second example, I suppose that exemplifies your first point. If you're able to outlast those around you, there's little you can't accomplish. There's no sense in being the most powerful if you burn out immediately. I have to say - I'm impressed. Few people understand the value in tenacity.
That's still no excuse for not being able to cook for yourself. You're clearly intelligent so this isn't a matter of ability, it's a matter of laziness.
[Just gotta call him out there. He's not just going to let that sort of behavior go, especially not from one that he expects more from. Akechi can do better, so there's no reason for him not to.
And on that note, it all nicely ties in with the value of hard work and an unwavering desire for progress- at least he thinks so. There was a reason he was chosen to represent the Fairest Queen's dorm, modeled after her spirit of tenacity.]
I would say my tenacity is my ultimate skill, both in magic and without. One doesn't make it to where I am by stagnating. Everyday I strive to be a little more beautiful than I was the day before- which is more difficult than it sounds after a point.
[There's a bitter, almost defeated, sort of look that crosses his face at the first comment. Vil is right. He doesn't have an excuse in this reality. It's a lack of desire - pure and simple. If it's not a marketable meal he can post on his blog, he doesn't particularly care what he eats every night or the sodium based hell his body is going through from all those instant meals.
Ugh.]
Then I hope for your continued success on the matter. I'm sure you'll persevere for as long as your career allows with that kind of attitude.
Oh? That's quite a far cry from what you said before. What was it, now? How you were always willing to listen to someone "at the end of their career?" Really, it was an adorable little quip, and I'm glad you've you've grown past such a shallow understanding of my field.
[A child actor he may be, but he didn't put so much effort into every aspect of his career just to end it there. His father was still a very prominent actor himself, and that was the standard Vil was chasing.
It was funny how Akechi put so little effort in when it came to his fame and thought for a second that such an ignorant comment would bother him, and for that Vil needed to tease him.]
[And oh is he getting quite the chuckle out of that. He knows Akechi is absolutely full of shit, but he also knows patronizing him by transparently pretending to believe him will bother him FAR more than calling him out on it... so really there's only one course of action here.]
Oh of course, we do all have such days. No offense taken.
[You can even hear the smirk in his voice.]
Though on that subject [You know, the one you hate?] how are you actually doing? Not that I expect an honest answer out of you, but my offer from before still stands.
As fine as one can be in the situation we're all in.
[His mental health HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER VIL. THANKS.]
Though let me turn that question around to you - are you doing okay? A lot has happened in the last few weeks and tonight even. The photos, the strange rooms - it could be enough to drive a person mad.
[Ugh, as much as he didn't want to speak much on it, he wasn't about to give Akechi the opportunity to call him a hypocrite. Lead by example or somesuch, he supposed.]
Things have been difficult since my boyfriend returned home, and this all serves to rub salt in the wounds. So no, I am not "okay" right now, but I will be. It will just take time.
[Trying a pragmatic approach to it. He disliked being open, but the last time he hid and buried pain he overblotted and went on a rampage so... lesser of two evils.]
I suppose that's the risk you take with such relationships here. Though I imagine you're more capable of handling it than most - I'm sure you'll recover soon. It's a good thing he returned, after all.
[The music starts to die down - the moment coming to its natural conclusion.
Vil's answer is pragmatic and logical. They both knew what they were getting into.
Akechi squeezes the man's hand in an act of feigned compassion. Perhaps an accident. It's what a prince should do, so he does. The loss of someone is worth that minimal effort, no matter how pathetic Vil seems in the fringe of his remaining grief.]
It's often said time heals all wounds - to be frank, I don't think that's true. It takes a person's own willpower. It's far easier for a person to fall victim and become stuck in that grief. Sometimes forever.
With a will like yours - I'm sure there's little you can't recover from.
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Then perhaps I should lead the dance? Unless you insist of course.
[He wasn't keen on a possible second-rate dance, but if Akechi was certain he wouldn't be a disappointment... or more likely he had control issues he didn't want to think too hard about, either way Vil would accept his choice and critique his skill after if needed.
Regardless, Akechi damn well better be honored.]
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[To the dancefloor the go - horrific. Akechi can't stand this.]
You really are a jack of all trades. Is there anything you haven't been trained for?
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The dance he starts is faster in pace, and somewhat involved. Akechi claimed some skill in dancing, and so there was no reason to bore himself if he wasn’t dealing with a novice. That said it wasn’t so involved that they wouldn’t be able to talk. Presumably. Vil would adjust if it was.]
I’m a jack of all trades but master of none. Most skills I only need to learn on a superficial level- enough to convince an audience and look good doing it.
[And Akechi is getting a twirl before Vil continues.]
That said, I suppose you could count magic to a degree. I didn’t bother to pursue my natural talents in magic until I attended Night Raven College. While I apparently have a naturally large reserve of magic to draw from, I still can’t utilize it very well.
What about you? Surely there are subjects you find yourself lacking in, or simply found them not worth pursuing.
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Perhaps this place will assist in that. It gives you an ample amount of time to train outside of the confines of your reality. I suppose that's one benefit to being trapped here.
[His eyes move to the ceiling at a question returned - what can't he do? Very little, when it comes down to it. He learned to be a detective on the fly. Became a near overnight celebrity. Ah, well-]
I suppose fishing would count. I lack the finesse required, though I have done well on yachts with proper [Cheating. High end.] equipment. Cooking as well - it's not worthwhile venture to me given the amount of instant food available. I've tried on occasion. It's never comes out well and it eats into time I need for other things.
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[And he WAS going to comment about the fishing, he had his own learning experiences from it, however then Akechi makes the fatal mistake of mentioning his less-than-stellar diet, and Vil honestly can't just let that go.]
Instant food is terrible for you. You'll find yourself short on energy and you skill and hair will reflect your poor diet. Don't think media won't start hounding you about it. The least you could do is learn a bit of simple meal prep.
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[It's mostly instant noodles. 12 years of delicious konbini meals? All is well.]
In reference to your earlier comment - is there a way to develop that magical muscle so to speak? I assume it takes more than training against another individual.
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[Hopefully the allure of free no-effort food is enough of a motivator, it always seemed to work with the perpetually hungry state of NRC students. Akechi was a pretty average build, and was decently active, Vil wouldn't have a hard time putting together a meal that he would get the most out of.
And hopefully after a while he would notice a difference and maintain the habit of his own volition. Because clearly the world needs Akechi with more energy so he can make bad decisions with gusto.]
Yes and no. Imagine never using your legs until you're 16 years old. Can you learn to walk and run? Certainly, but unless you make it your prime focus it's unlikely that you'll become a expert ballet or tap dancer. It's not impossible, but unlikely.
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I appreciate your offer. I don't mind having a meal together sometime - your company isn't unwanted. However I should clarify - in this reality, Maruki-san has taken on kitchen duty. We have an arrangement, and it's something he enjoys doing. I eat well here.
[He can't deny that. Three meals always waiting, even if Akechi doesn't indulge in all of them. He moves on to the other topic.]
To your second example, I suppose that exemplifies your first point. If you're able to outlast those around you, there's little you can't accomplish. There's no sense in being the most powerful if you burn out immediately. I have to say - I'm impressed. Few people understand the value in tenacity.
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[Just gotta call him out there. He's not just going to let that sort of behavior go, especially not from one that he expects more from. Akechi can do better, so there's no reason for him not to.
And on that note, it all nicely ties in with the value of hard work and an unwavering desire for progress- at least he thinks so. There was a reason he was chosen to represent the Fairest Queen's dorm, modeled after her spirit of tenacity.]
I would say my tenacity is my ultimate skill, both in magic and without. One doesn't make it to where I am by stagnating. Everyday I strive to be a little more beautiful than I was the day before- which is more difficult than it sounds after a point.
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Ugh.]
Then I hope for your continued success on the matter. I'm sure you'll persevere for as long as your career allows with that kind of attitude.
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[A child actor he may be, but he didn't put so much effort into every aspect of his career just to end it there. His father was still a very prominent actor himself, and that was the standard Vil was chasing.
It was funny how Akechi put so little effort in when it came to his fame and thought for a second that such an ignorant comment would bother him, and for that Vil needed to tease him.]
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[Vil always manages to do this. One day, he'll find a way to get under his skin.
He can't wait.]
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Oh of course, we do all have such days. No offense taken.
[You can even hear the smirk in his voice.]
Though on that subject [You know, the one you hate?] how are you actually doing? Not that I expect an honest answer out of you, but my offer from before still stands.
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[His mental health HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER VIL. THANKS.]
Though let me turn that question around to you - are you doing okay? A lot has happened in the last few weeks and tonight even. The photos, the strange rooms - it could be enough to drive a person mad.
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Things have been difficult since my boyfriend returned home, and this all serves to rub salt in the wounds. So no, I am not "okay" right now, but I will be. It will just take time.
[Trying a pragmatic approach to it. He disliked being open, but the last time he hid and buried pain he overblotted and went on a rampage so... lesser of two evils.]
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[It was out of his hands, as were much of the things that happened here. He has to make due with that.]
But that’s for me to come to terms with. We both knew what we were getting into.
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Vil's answer is pragmatic and logical. They both knew what they were getting into.
Akechi squeezes the man's hand in an act of feigned compassion. Perhaps an accident. It's what a prince should do, so he does. The loss of someone is worth that minimal effort, no matter how pathetic Vil seems in the fringe of his remaining grief.]
It's often said time heals all wounds - to be frank, I don't think that's true. It takes a person's own willpower. It's far easier for a person to fall victim and become stuck in that grief. Sometimes forever.
With a will like yours - I'm sure there's little you can't recover from.