( OPEN ) EVERYTHING BLACK

[maskreant]

WHO: Akira Kurusu, local nasty crime boy, and YOU!
WHERE: Everywhere in Recolle
WHEN: All of June
WHAT: breaking blocks by moonlight, egging Minato's house by daylight. A catchall for all of Akira's doings and some open prompts for anyone else who wants to join in! Here's a link of the tasks I'm interested in (don't mind doubling up either), but Akira is game to do whatever. Contact me on discord (hei#2323) or aftertaste if you want to discuss some more.
WARNINGS: Akira's mere existence

chata: upsetti spaghetti

[ For the sake of this prompt working, we're going to pretend either Junes or Freshens has a small food court area since a handful of big grocery stores do. Akira is merely enjoying his meal at one of the tables, checking through his phone at the tasks at hand. Overall, nondescript. Unassuming. Harmless. Look at him? He looks like a nerd?

Shifting his glasses up the bridge of his nose, a bright glint shines across the lenses... As if he has an idea. If you even a blink, you'll find a plate of spaghetti flying straight at your face. This is the first move—it's a call for war. ]

tribunal terrace:

[ !! Willing to play off any mystery created by others or create random ones. Just mention it in your comment if you want an RNG mystery.

Guess what mystery it is today? Akira is investigating this abandoned place of worship. While all the establishments in this section of Tribunal Terrace is pristine and taken care of well, they've left this relic somewhere in the corner. It's hard to discern what background this building has and records say it was used for a number of religions, hence the odd array of decor inside. There are warning signs in the front (KEEP OUT), some mention that it'll be restored or torn down, but it waits there...

With some of the sky painted, it's actually dark, blanketing the are in pitch black. Even when Akira raises his flashlight, what they find are outlines of the worn down building. ]

I heard that people died here, some possibly related cult activity. [ He scrolls through his phone, picking up the rumor and mystery here. ] This forum says that sometimes you can hear cries here at night, something between man and beast.

[ Yes. They're going to unveil this mystery and figure what the hell this is or die. Whichever comes first. ]

wildcard

[ Hit me with anything!! Even gen things. It's important to note that Akira is shaken by the disappearances of NPCs, but he's doing his best to keep it together and be reliable. On some days he'll naturally withdraw and keep to himself. ]

Comments

[adoringpast]

I won't let him. He's not ready.

[ he has to keep their friendship sacred...! but at least akira's patient enough? sena really has chosen the right person to be his moral support, thank god. but it's not enough to settle the weird feeling in his stomach that's totally not hunger as he stares down at his biggest challenge yet.

okay. deep breaths. he can do this. he takes one slice in his hands and closes his eyes so that he won't gag upon seeing it, bringing it close to his mouth, then chomp.

...

oh god. it's...

it's so oily. oily and cheesy, the lettuce too soggy, the patty a bit overcooked, but he's just so hungry right now that he has no choice but to polish it all off in one go?! the power of starvation, everybody. ]

[maskreant]

[ Blinking slowly, he won't argue whether Goro is ready or not. That's fine. He'll even respect Sena's wishes and not record him trying to conquer the beast to send it straight to his boyfriend. Just today, he will spare his friend.

Despite all of that, he won't lie that this is entertaining rather than difficult to watch. The expressions tell it all. ]

Remember to take breaks.

[ Don't choke? He'll nudge the cup of water closer. ]

[adoringpast]

[ see, this is why sena trusted akira for this vital task - akira isn't opportunistic enough to expose sena's moment of utter weakness and tell on his boyfriend/best friend about it. this truly is the pinnacle of their relationship. they've really come this far. rank 10, babey.

he finishes the slice and downs it with the cup of water, slamming it down on the tabletop with a hard shake of his head. ]

No... I can't do it...

[maskreant]

[ Sena has too much faith in Akira, to be honest, but it isn't misplaced this time. When he finishes one slice, he applauds like it's such a feat (it is). Akira's eyes shift back to the burger, seeing that there's still a hefty amount left. ]

You're making progress. [ The truth. ] Rushing only makes it worse. Also, drinking as little water as possible will help.

[ They are encouraging, but also sensible words. Tips here and there... Because Akira has done this. ]

[adoringpast]

Aren't these challenges timed or something? It's going to take me forever.

[ SIGHS. the applause is appreciated if not overdone at a simple challenge like this, and sena slumps back in his seat. ]

It's fine, I know that I can never eat something like this again ever since I started modeling years ago. Have you even tried something like this before?

[maskreant]

There's no way you would make the time limit anyway, so take your time.

[ The truth has been dropped. There's no point in giving any of his friends any false hope. How odd? Usually his friends get embarrassed or snippy if he applauds. This is fine. ]

... Yeah. Actually, this place is from my world.

[ That's it. No need to mention that he destroyed this challenge. ]

[adoringpast]

[ he's too full to be snippy at you, akira. your life has been spared. ]

They have a franchise here too? Jesus...

[ eugh, he's already feeling bloated from a single slice of burger. this really isn't meant to be. ]

I-It's fine, I don't know if I can take another bite. I can already feel the cholesterol building up in my bloodstream... [ of course he's overreacting, let him live ] I'll just. Send this to my brother then.

[maskreant]

I guess so... They're international from what I remember, so I'm not surprised.

[ But he does have questions about how they can hash out this challenge? It just sees strange for a fast food burger joint. Akira would help, but he isn't hungry right now... It isn't bad to just take the thing home and try to repurpose it to not be so gross. ]

I didn't know you had a brother?

[adoringpast]

I didn't either, until recently. He's on the app too in case that's not enough to spice up my family life.

[ it's just one revelation after another, sheesh. that kind of slipped out to be honest, but he can at least trust akira with that info. ]

We seem to be complete opposites, so I think he might like this sort of thing. Right?

[maskreant]

[ He tilts his head in consideration... For some reason, Sena never seems like a sibling type of guy? And even if he does have a brother, he still seems like a single child. It's not like having a brother changes his upbringing at all, so it makes sense. ]

... No. A galactic burger is usually too much for any normal person. [ ... ] Unless you're saying he's abnormal.

[adoringpast]

Like I said, I don't know much about him yet. Pretty sure he's not on a diet like me, though.

[ shrug! luckily he's asked for a plastic bag in advance because he already knows that he's not going to make it, and he starts putting the burger slices away carefully. ]

He can just share it with his friends though. I'm not stopping him.

[maskreant]

[ Akira will be really confused when it ends up in his house if it does... But for now he just watches Sena. If there was another carton or bag, he would help out. Craning his neck, he tries to get a good look, scanning Sena's expression and all. ]

You don't seem too happy about him being around.

[ Just an observation. ]

[adoringpast]

It's not that, it's...

[ purses his lips together, sighing through his nose. he really can't get past through akira at this point, can he. ]

Look, how would you feel if you've been an only child this entire time, ever since you were born into this world, only for someone to appear and tell you that "hey, I'm actually your sibling this entire time, surprise"? [ he went off a little there though, so he reins it back. ] ...Sorry. I'm not mad at you or him, for the record. It's just... the circumstances.

[ that's way too personal to share right now. besides, they're only here for the burger task, right? not the family secrets one. ]

[maskreant]

Obviously surprised, but... I guess I would personally think it's nice. I was raised an only child, too. Then there's my parents who worked constantly to get where we are now. Having someone to play with might have helped me back then.

[ It's an idealized reaction, he knows. In the end, he doesn't know how he would react until it actually happens? No use crying over spilled milk, either... So it comes with a shrug. ]

Mostly surprised and confused. [ That's realistic enough. ] Are the circumstances unfavorable aside from Retrospec?

[adoringpast]

It's already a mess without Retrospec making things more complicated.

[ and that's all he can say about the subject for now. ]

I'm serious about wanting to get to know him more, though. He's a really nice guy. [ ... ] It'd be hilarious if he can't finish this too.

[ like the brothers they are... he's new to this, don't mind him. ]

[maskreant]

[ He wants to ask why, but he has a feeling that it's a family mess and maybe it's not the best thing to talk about when Sena looks like he's suddenly in a good mood? How weird. Akira raises his eyebrows as he analyzes Sena's expression again.

Uhm. ]

I have a question.

[adoringpast]

[ right, he's done packing his burger and he turns to akira with a quizzical tilt of his head. ]

Shoot.

[maskreant]

[ He has a guess that Sena is looking for admiration or praise from those he should be a role model towards, including his brother, but he doesn't think he should ask that in public... Even if there's barely anyone there, no one to eavesdrop aside from their fellow Retrospec users. ]

Do you have a brother complex?

[adoringpast]

I am going to kill you.

[ DON'T REMIND HIM, AKIRA??? consider his fight or flight response activated. ]

[maskreant]

[ Sena... It's time. Akira usually doesn't press a lot of things, but this month has been far too wonky and pushing at his own buttons and issues. It's difficult to not be somewhat harsh and blunt. ]

It's actually a serious question if you look into what it really asks. Are you seeking validation from those who are looking for someone to look up to?

[adoringpast]

Then just say that outright instead of accusing me of being a brocon? Jesus Christ.

[ is it really time though? sena now realizes that he hates being armchair-psychoanalyzed like this. it's what kei does unintentionally and while it's okay since that's his damn uncle, being interrogated like this from out of nowhere makes him tad uncomfortable. ]

I mean, who doesn't want to be validated by being looked up on? That's just natural, right?

[maskreant]

[ It's less of a psychoanalysis when Akira has kind of watched it over a couple of months. At this point, it's just an observation. It's not natural for him, to be honest? He knows it is for others. It all depends on how they're raised. ]

Yes, it's natural to care about what other things. Everyone wants to be needed and relied on to some degree. Just don't let it consume you.

[ And that's it from Akira, really. ]

Is your brother cute?

[ Easy segway. ]

[adoringpast]

It won't, don't worry. You really can't stop fussing over your senpai, can you?

[ he's finished packing the burger and now he crosses his arms in thought. ]

I guess? He kind of looks like me though, but with rougher features. I think his hair's dyed instead of being a natural or a regained hair color like mine? [ SHRUGS ] You'll understand when you see him.

[maskreant]

It’s normal to worry about your friends, even when it isn’t about Retrospec stuff.

[ At least he thinks so. Since Sena isn’t going to take the soda, he’s going to drink it himself through the same straw. ]

Dyed what color?

[ Yes. Akira is going to preemptively color discriminate your brother. Just a weeee bit. ]

[adoringpast]

Some kind of dirty blond. Kind of wished he'd done a better job with it, though.

[ he looks fine, sena. sheesh. he stands up, grabbing the plastic bag. ]

Anyways, thanks for the moral support, Akiyan. [ ... ] Don't tell anyone else I had a brother, okay? It's really personal.