preordain | akira

[ he'll nod... ]

We don't know what Satan might find entertaining, so we should keep in mind anything violent. If things are anything like how demons work back home, then we can't rule out falling into primal urges.

[He peers at Ryo for a long moment, looking like he's trying to decide if he wants to say something or not.]

Based on what the demons said, do you think Satan would try to... get rid of some of us?

I don't think we have enough information yet to say for sure. I think that what it mostly boils down to is what is the actual purpose of this hell. Is it actually meant as a punishment for our sins? Is it just a way for Satan to find entertainment?

And if it's the latter, what is most entertaining? Even more, if we cause trouble, how is that dealt with? Are we simply punished? How so?

[ he taps his chin in thought. ]

There's a lot we need to learn.

[Well, Ryo isn't wrong. Even Akira understands they don't know very much about Satan, or this place. Hell. It's some kind of hell.]

...If you were Satan, what would you do?

[hypothetically, if u were satan.................]

If I were Satan...

[ he has to think about it, and he's quiet for a long moment. ]

The last time I said something like this, you got angry at me and left me.

[At first, he doesn't say anything for a moment. They should probably talk about that, but he lets it go for now.]

I won't leave.

[There isn't anywhere really for him to go that isn't around here, to be honest. He doesn't say he won't get angry. He might.]

I probably already know what you're gonna say.

[ ... ]

I think they deserve to burn.

[He can't help to look mildly disappointed at the answer he even expected, but in... a sadder way. When you're trying to keep loving someone who continues to disappoint you.]

Why?

They're never going to learn, or get better, Akira. The core of human existence is to destroy themselves and each other.

[ he takes a step towards him. ]

And you don't agree.

[His brows slowly furrow a little.]

Don’t, Ryo. They’re already here. If they have a second chance, maybe they can do better. I don’t think everyone here is human. So what about those people?

[ it doesn't matter what they are, but what their hearts are made of.

but. ]

What I think doesn't matter right now. I'm not in charge of this place, so my opinion won't change our situation.

[A restless energy makes him stand suddenly up, pushing the chair some.

He looks like he is going to say something, but then he cuts his eyes away.]

Don’t give up on them, Ryo.

[ it's a little hateful how obvious it is that there is something akira is not telling him. ]

I always have humanity's best interests in mind.

[yea it is]

Do you? When you think they should burn? [They’re just gonna cyclic argue again and then he is gonna get so mad he leaves even when he said he wouldn’t.] Nevermind.

Forget it.

[ how is he supposed to forget it when this is a clear point of contention between them. the last thing ryo needs right now is uncertainty of where akira's loyalty stands. ]

... you are my friend, right?

[He frowns at the floor by his feet. Both hands curl into fists.

He raises his head, but asks first:]

Would you ever betray me, Ryo?

[ akira really couldn't just say yes, huh?

it's already enough of an answer. ]

No.

[ he doesn't see anything that he's done as a betrayal. ]

[For a long moment, he just looks at Ryo. Debating. Wondering what truly had made him change his mind from this answer to what happened.]

What if I told you that you had? [He tries keeping his voice as calm as he can, but the tone sinks in the way it does before his eyes would always get wet.] That you would.

[He moves slowly across until he gets right up in front of Ryo, as close as he can. He looks him in the eyes.]

…If I think humans can have a second chance to prove they’re better… then I can do the same for you. But I’m only giving you one more chance, Ryo. If you betray me again, I won’t ever forgive you.

[ many, many things rush through ryo's mind all at once.

what does akira know? he can't be referencing their fight, can he? but they were able to text with no issue after the koda reveal happened, so he doubts that was the final straw. so, what is it then? did something happened that ryo simply doesn't remember?

or has it not happened to him yet?

his hand reaches out and grips akira's wrist tightly. and, almost as quickly as it happens, he lets go like he didn't actually mean for that to happen. ]

What aren't you telling me? [ there's a pause, and he shakes his head, taking a step back from him. ] No. I don't want to know. Not yet.

[ he does want to know, but he won't get the full picture from akira. he's biased. that's not going to help. ]

[He doesn't move, not to chase Ryo, but also not to leave still. It doesn't bother him that Ryo doesn't want to know.]

I don't think what happened is going to matter here. [As if that is some kind of reassurance.] But if you go back, it would.

[Unless time can also be altered, there isn't any going back for him.]

I want to keep being your friend, Ryo. [It's offered earnestly, but Akira has never really not been earnest when it counted.] ...So I forgive you.

[ he's likely going to break and ask at some point, but it'll probably be more fruitful to wait for when some time has passed. the explanation might be less emotional with distance from what happened. ]

Forgiveness...

[ what a strange concept.

he doesn't say that, since ryo understands something now that he didn't ten minutes ago. he'll have to rethink how he approaches things. right now, all his plans from home have to be paused simply because they're stuck in hell, and he's fine with that. waiting is not an issue. but now there's a much bigger threat in front of him that he never really considered-- losing akira. ]

Then we'll continue to be friends.

[The forgiveness seems premature, but a stake has been placed in the ground now between them, a boundary. To see if Ryo will cross it.

It only makes him feel slightly better. There is still too much anxiety in him. Will Ryo betray him again anyway? Is that... in Ryo's nature to do? As Satan.]

Don't forget to eat, okay? [Jenny isn't here........] Don't stay in your room all day either.

I don't plan to stay in here all day.

[ this is the truth, and the only reason it's the truth is because he shares a room with itto.

he glances over at the door, then back to akira. ]

If you have other things to do, you can leave.

[For a moment or two, he hesitates. He doesn't really have anything else to do in particular, but would he be overstaying his welcome after their kind of tense conversation?

Ryo always likes to think, so maybe Ryo needs some time to think.]

You can call me if you need me.

I know. I will.

[ he won't.

there's a part of him that hopes that akira would stay anyway, but this conversation is already balanced precariously enough on an edge that it's better not to risk it. they can try again another time. ]

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tearduct - 2023-02-10 20:07 (UTC) - Expand