[akira catchall]

[slobjection]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

Hey, you're the one telling me to make sure nothing is traceable back to you.

[HE'S TRYING TO PROTECT YOU PHOENIX]

The people left behind. . . the ones who were asleep, and not dead.

Did they include those who have been killed here?

[the ones they already lost]

[slobjection]

Oh, yes, but independent of that.... telling him how charming and likeable and trustworthy I am. [ but no he's teasing. ]

There weren't any faces, so I couldn't tell who was who. [ which is why he said it might be symbolic!!! ] So I don't have an answer on that.

[survivaltricks]

Oh.

I guess this means I should bring up your pudding habits.

[hm]

. . . and all right. I want to follow up on what you saw, so I hope you don't mind if I ask the directors a little bit about it.

[slobjection]

Don't forget my hilarious jokes.

[ wink wonk. ]

As long as you let me know what they say. And I'll do the same, of course.

[survivaltricks]

He'd appreciate those.

[Dick is the JOKE LOVING TYPE]

Mm. I will. That part goes without saying.

[. . .]

[he breathes out deeply and pulls up a tiny, exhausted smile for Phoenix]

. . . If it's not a symbolic sleep, and they really are here, alive and well and being held somewhere within reach, then. . .

That's. . . good. Right?

[slobjection]

Hm... no wonder you two get along so well. [ jokeson... ]

Probably the best news we've gotten so far. [ phoenix smiles too, but his is a little grim. ] And it puts new perspective on our endings being in jeopardy.

[survivaltricks]

It is.

[he lifts a hand to touch the pendant around his neck]

Gives us something more concrete to hold onto. Even if. . .

[he trails off]

[. . .]

[he doesn't say what he's thinking]

There's one other person I think you should share with. Lili is trustworthy, too.

[slobjection]

[ puts his hand on akira's shoulder again. ]

She doesn't like jokes, so I'm afraid that's off the table.

[ he's joking. maybe. ]

[survivaltricks]

. . .

She's going to be heartbroken.

[HE IS JOKING, TOO]

[slobjection]

Oh...? A secret joke fan?

[survivaltricks]

No. She just likes knowing everything.

[he says that so fondly but god Lili is a busybody]

[slobjection]

I did get that feeling.

[ like he's one to talk ]

I'll think about it.

[survivaltricks]

Mmm.

[he nods at Nick, because that's good enough]

That said, I'm going to tell them both what happens when one team wins. I won't mention your name or power, though. . . so that'll stay safe.

And I'll only tell those two.

[because he really isn't sure that information should spread too far just yet]

[slobjection]

Sure thing. But let them know to take it with a grain of salt. I think there's still a lot we don't know.

[ so good instinct ]

[survivaltricks]

I will; don't worry. I don't think those two will spread it very far until our information is confirmed.

. . . I really don't want anyone to wipe out Heart's team.

[PROTECT HEART 2020]

[slobjection]

[ he will just nod ]

Oh? Have a special liking for the director.... or its members?

[survivaltricks]

[PHOENIX THAT'S THE THIRD TIME YOU'VE ASKED HIM IF HE'S ON HEART'S TIME. at this point Akira just laughs]

Both, actually. But not for the reason you're probably thinking.

[slobjection]

[ he asked if akira liked purple's members!!!!!!!! he was asking if akira knew who was on the team, wow, learn to read mysterious phoenixese ]

What reason would that be?

[survivaltricks]

[WELL HIS ANSWER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT CURIOSITY THEN!!]

. . . I've talked to Heart a lot. They're easy to get along with and actually incredibly kind.





And really fun to tease.

[slobjection]

I think all the directors are, in their own way. What makes Purple stand above the others?

[survivaltricks]

I never said they stood out above the others.

[lightly teasing]

Just that they're the most familiar to me. [a pause] . . . but if you were thinking that I'm on their team. . .

I'm not.

[slobjection]

You do seem to favor them a lot, slushies aside.

[ dad will always tease. ]

That's a shame. The wordplay would have been right up your alley.

Willing to tell me which team that is?

[survivaltricks]

Maybe some of them I favor in secret.

[a cheeky little smile, a spark appearing in his one good eye]

Depends. Will you share with me yours?

[slobjection]

I had no idea you were so sneaky, Akira.

[ he seems like he approves. ]

Of course. And it'll stay between us -- I would expect that both ways.

[survivaltricks]

Phantom thief, remember?

[he's a bad liar but SOME things he's good at lying about]

And of course. I trust you, and I wouldn't betray your trust in me.

. . . I'm on Winter's team.