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[flyingsolos]

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[purrtagonist]

[oh my god. a soft snort]

Maybe. Who knows? Have you actually met anyone who is a member of the Syndicate? I haven't.

[these orphans he picks pockets for are very careful not to sell out their benefactors]

But we do know they at least care about helping people in need. Even if those rumors about them being violent are true, there's a part of them that wants to do something good.

And that's a starting point.

[to. . . do what? he isn't completely sure. he doesn't really have a plan, only instincts that guide him into doing what feels right. but if the Syndicate is the type of group to use violence as a means to an end, then maybe. . . maybe someone can appeal to their desire to help to stop them from executing whatever harmful plot they may be planning next]

[flyingsolos]

I don't think the Guard is going to be so open-minded, you know...

[ even if the rumors aren't true, if they catch wind of Akira joining up with them...

Rion sighs heavily after a minute, using her free hand to rub her forehead. ]

Just... be careful, okay? And let me know if you need help.

[purrtagonist]

If the new king cares about the people of his city as much as people say he does, then they should be.

[but that's a bridge he'll cross when the time comes. at any rate, Akira isn't a stranger to being a wanted criminal. nor is he a stranger to keeping his head down to avoid getting caught]

[. . . not that Rion knows any of that, does she? nevertheless, she gets the slightest twitch of a grin in response]

Thanks. [he appreciates her offer] If the time comes, I'll take you up on that.

[so long as things aren't too dangerous, and he doesn't risk dragging her into illicit criminal activity that she doesn't want to be a part of]

[flyingsolos]

Good. Because if you get hurt because of this, mister, we're going to have words.

[ there will be anxious yelling, yes. ]

[purrtagonist]

[oh my god]

Worrying about me already? I'm touched, Kugayama.

[flyingsolos]

Of course I'd be worried, dummy!!

[purrtagonist]

[and he just. smiles]

Well, thank you. [earnest] I'll make sure not to get into any trouble so we don't have to exchange words.

[flyingsolos]

Make sure you don't. I already have one dark-haired guy I have to keep an eye out for.

[purrtagonist]

Tokisaka?

[just a hunch]

[flyingsolos]

Huh-- yeah. Did he mention me?

[purrtagonist]

He might have. Once or twice.

[flyingsolos]

... How much of it was complaining?

[purrtagonist]

Zero percent.

[that's good!]

Does he complain a lot?

[flyingsolos]

He shoots me down a lot. He's like the ultimate killjoy.

[purrtagonist]

I've noticed that. He didn't want to participate in the lizard races with me.

[flyingsolos]

Yeah. No hard feelings, that's just honestly how he is.

[ Though she does say this fondly. ]

[purrtagonist]

[hmmmm]

Are you two close? He mentioned you were both a part of a mystery club.

[flyingsolos]

... He's helped me out a lot, so yeah. He's the president of our supernatural research club.

[ Yeah, she kind of owes him and the others her life. ]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira is not privy to that information, alas. and his gentle inquiry into their connection is out of completely innocent curiosity]

President? He seemed like the type to be unwillingly drawn into those kinds of activities, if I'm being honest.

[not the time to found them]

[flyingsolos]

Yeah, I'm not sure if he got pulled into it or got volunteered for it... but he's actually a pretty reliable leader.

[purrtagonist]

[pauses at that terminology]

[. . .]

I believe it. He really does strike me as the dependable type.

[flyingsolos]

Right? You... kind of give me the same feeling.

[ she sounds surprised by this. ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . and he looks equally as surprised]

Ah-- [but then again. . . his team tells him that too, don't they?]

Well, it isn't like I try to be unreliable.

[flyingsolos]

No, but you do get stuck in my door.

[purrtagonist]

You know, I fell through two other doors that night.

[he. he isn't bragging]