agogelogs | [SEMI-OPEN] took a power trip

[The words crash into him strongly- this was the last thing that he could have ever expected to come out of Achilles' mouth, and Ryuji just looks at him, still crouched down on the floor. The touch he planted against the painting was more than just remembrance of something... it was deeper than just that. Longing? Painful, maybe. Ryuji can't really tell, but he's also not sure if he should push it. I loved him - that was simple enough to understand.

Moving forward a step, he places a hand on Achilles' shoulder and doesn't say anything more to already ruin the mood. It's brief, but with a squeeze, he lets him have a few moments to himself.

So the person in that painting, the one who was holding him... that was Rider, wasn't it?

God, of all missions to have to be on, of course fate would bring them here. Ryuji is like Achilles in this regard, wanting to rebel against anything that's telling him what he's supposed to do. Following the path of your drum, that aesthetic is more beautiful than anything hanging on the wall in this room. He's at a loss for words, so he wanders a bit, giving him some space.

His eyes are caught by another painting, and it's eerie how all the eyes in the room seem to move with him, but this one- this particular painting doesn't hold anyone's gaze. It's simple- a man with his back turned, and as he reads the inscription below it, he sees the same name as before.

This David guy... he had an obsession. But! Hey, this is better than that painting of Hector, so he picks it up strides over to Achilles, placing it in front of the one that he had broke. Out of sight, out of mind, right?]

He looks like a cool guy.

[He loved him.

Ryuji's heart feels heavier in his ribcage. What's it like to lose someone you loved?]

[ Ryuji brings him another painting, one of a man he doesn't recognize either. But the name on the golden plate nailed into the frame certainly is, again. He takes the painting into his own hands, holding it out to appraise it properly. His expression is steely, like he's judging rather than admiring. ]

... He doesn't look like that. [ His eyes flicker to Ryuji, fondness softening his otherwise heavy brow. ]

We can use this to our advantage, though. [ A little smile... ]

[He just scratches the back of his head. Well, yeah, this isn't the modern age. It's not like someone can just snap a photo and bam! history is kept safe forever.]

Yeah. I bet if you loved him he was way hotter than this.

[It just sort of tumbles out of his mouth without thinking, and he's probably being insensitive to the fact that holy shit he was just forced to think about his dead boyfriend, but the intentions are good in spirit.

He thinks of Sayuri for a moment, recalling on his own past experiences and how Yusuke had felt when he saw how the painting was originally meant to be. He tilts his head a little bit and opens his mouth again, verbal diarrhea. But he's earnest in what he says, and it's not incredibly deep or anything, but:]

You can't capture everything with a picture, anyway. It ain't made up of all the fights, all the makeups, kisses- whatever- all that shit in between just in one moment anyway.

[And this was limited to David's imagination. People can only envision what they see, anyway, and it's not like the artist could just travel back in time on a train like they could.]

So, uh. What's the plan? [He smiles back at him.]

[ Wow, Ryuji, just immediately jumping to conclusions about HIS RELATIONSHIPS. He laughs, though, tipping his head up with a deep sigh. ]

Wait for me on the roof.

[ And now he's turning the painting over so he can start opening up the brackets keeping the pieces of the frame together. Oh, he stealin'. ]

[He hears that sigh. Did he do something wrong?

Probably.

He'll course correct later. There are plans to be made. He looks at him, inquisitively, wondering what exactly he was envisioning, but he's compliant enough. With a short nod, he doesn't make a comment about Achilles stealing (that's what thieves do, right?- something like that) and snuffs out the candle again to leave the room in darkness.

He finds his way to the window, opening it. It creaks more than he'd like it to.]

Don't keep me waitin' too long. [And climbs up]

[ The painting of Patroclus is rolled up and and tied shut with a piece of decorative rope he finds on one of the tables, before being carefully tucked away in a tube he also finds laying around.

He has to leave the painting in the room for now, but he'll be back for it later.

Ryuji won't be kept waiting long, at least. Achilles is quick as he shifts through the walls of the house, taking on spiritual form, and finds David in his bedroom relatively quickly on the top floor. The man is started awake as the hero makes a show of materializing as he moves through the solid panel, adorned in traditional armour.

He speaks Greek to him, announcing his presence in a dialect that has long since been buried along with its respective ancient civilization. The painter is understandably shocked by the whole ordeal, delirious from sleep and maybe even questioning of his sanity and state of consciousness.

That's fine. Achilles doesn't need to waste his time trying to convince him that this it's all real.

The man is scooped up, a strong hand wrapping around his mouth to keep him from crying out, though he's too frozen to do so or struggle. They're exiting out of the window, before he can register the danger, and taking a leap towards the adjacent building, which Achilles uses as a platform to kick off from (with unbelievable power) and launch back towards the estate. Think parkour, only this sort stupidly defies physics.

And when they finally land on the roof, Achilles is flipping the poor man and dangling him by his heel over the cobbled road below. If he's truly a fan of his lore, he'll understand the reference. Eventually. ]

My name is Achilles, son of King Peleus and Goddess Thetis, and the Best of the Achaions. I've come to you tonight so that you may heed this warning. So listen carefully.

[ David's nightgown billows with the wind, fabric falling over the poor man's face. He's panicking, thrashing around and fighting with the cloth that obscures his line of sight. He's screaming, too, though it's weak and broken as all the blood in his body starts to rush to his head. He probably looks silly, swinging around by his ankle, his entire body, along with his underwear exposed. ]

Edited 2017-11-28 21:43 (UTC)

[Ryuji kicks a pebble off the roof, not even caring where it lands, or if it lands on anyone. This mission was going horribly, and now that he's alone to ponder in that train of thought, he feels like a newbie Phantom Thief all over again. Achilles had told him to wait on the rooftop for his arrival, but what was he expecting? Part of him thought that Achilles would just go straight to him, to threaten him into doing as he wished, and that would be that. Case closed.

Just who was he, anyway? He didn't understand what the implications of being a Heroic Spirit meant, but if he had to guess, then he would assume that he's some ghost of a hero who had died. That... would make sense, right? They needed a power source to survive, and Achilles himself said that he was pursuing something that couldn't last.

But it was... really sad to see him so thrown off kilter by the events in the gala. Whoever Patroclus was, well- he can't imagine the other taking in a lover to begin with- must've been special enough to him to make him mournful of reliving those memories. And that man in the other painting, the one that looked like Achilles would punch a hole right through it if he had less restraint- who was he? Was he involved in Patroclus' death? So many questions, nowhere near enough answers to sate his curiosity.

A curiosity, which, he had no right to have, actually.

And it's about this time that he hears the slamming of feet against the nearby building, and then sees the encroachment of Achilles onto the roof, David dangling along like a toy to a great dane. Ryuji's eyes go wide at the sight. His armor. His armor is magnificent- where the hell did that come from?

He doesn't have a lot of time to register or make decisions, as Achilles starts to hang him over the edge of the roof, and instincts take over- Ryuji moving quickly to meet him right near the point of David's potential last moments. His heart is beating frantically, and as he starts to speak in a language that he doesn't understand, Ryuji starts to panic. If this was Achilles' plan, it was way too goddamn far.]

Rider!

[ Achilles lets out a bark of a laugh, overpowering Ryuji's voice and David's frantic screams. He's doing this purposefully, since he has no intentions of actually killing someone who's supposed to be so important in history. He's not that stupid.

He's just having fun with an otherwise boring mission. As long as they complete the objective, what does it matter how he goes about it?

Glancing at Ryuji, he switches to french. ]

I'm getting my point across. He's more likely to do as we say if he's fearing for his life. [ He has no scientific basis for this. Meanwhile David is weeping and probably wetting himself. ]

[Still, he doesn't like the feeling of this. It's too much... ends justify the means. Ryuji, at the core, is deeply against that sort of behavior, and he steps forward, defiantly.]

Put him down. We can talk about this like goddamn adults.

[David, on the other hand, still dangling, still covered by the night gown occluding his vision and his middle aged dangly johnson practically wavering in the wind, doesn't look like he's having a great time here. He's creating way too much of a commotion, sending out a bat signal to all of France.]

[ A snort rushes out of him at that, but he concedes and turns to drop the poor man right onto his ass, but safely over the flat surface of the roof. The ledge stands tall, which will obscure them from view if anyone decides to come outside and investigate the commotion.

And up here, David has nowhere to go but down and he certainly won't want to risk it after that entire ordeal. ]

Alright, then talk like a goddamn adult. Tell him what we want. What the Great Achilles wants.

[ He crosses his arms smugly as David scrambles far away from Achilles and somewhat behind where Ryuji stands. He's clutching at his chest, seemingly unable to catch his breath. He's as pale as a ghost. Poor thing is terrified.

But he does manage to retort, saying something along the lines of, "Achilles?! You're m-mad!" ]

Oh, yeah? You're calling me a liar? [ And now he's manifesting his spear out of thin air, though the mana required to do so is probably not worth the effort. Achilles is extra and he has hardly any patience for being talked down to, so he'll have to worry about that later. He's going to point the spear right at him as the man shrilly exclaims that he's performing dark arts. ]

[Ryuji pushes forward, creating distance between David and Achilles, intercepting the space between the two. With his back turned to the artist, it clicks, and the blond punk smiles right back at his companion. There's a glint of understanding here, and he decides to play the part that Achilles has opened the door for him to play. Intrepidly, he makes it look like he's putting himself in the line of fire to hold the green haired menace at bay.]

Achilles? [H..uh... it feels kind of right when he says it. Ryuji can only assume that this is his real name. The Great Achilles? Okay. He'll roll with it.

Uh, shit. What's his line?]

Achilles, put down your spear, we're just talking, alright? You don't have to go 'n kill this poor guy. [He takes another step forward, the tip awfully close to his chest.] Gimme five minutes with 'em. Okay?

[He wants a fucking Oscar for this later.

But when he feels the tension rising, he backs away for a moment and turns to David, crouching down on the floor to give him a look over. A ghost from the past of Antiquity, and a light haired youth wearing a skeleton over his face. This image will definitely haunt him for years to come.]

Jacques-Louis David. I need your help. I'm not gonna threaten you like my buddy over here, m'kay? Listen up, because this is hella important. There's gonna be a vote to kill the king. I need you stay in your house for a few weeks, lay low for a bit. [Ryuji goes on to improvise-] As you can see, history's all kinda outta whack, so we're trying to fix it before this guy over here goes back home.

So Monsieur. Can I have your word on it?

[ Shutting his eyes, he seemingly relents and perches his spear against a thick shoulder. Standing tall over the two other men, his presence is foreboding and constant. But he does as he's told, staying put and entrusting the rest to his partner.

Making a noise at the back of his throat, he shifts his spear so that the butt of it nudges Ryuji in the backside.

You're going to have to do better than that.

But he's got David's undivided attention at least. ]

It'd be easier to do away with him, if you ask me... You can't trust that he'll do as he's told. We might have to come back here if he decides to seek help.

Not that anyone would believe him. [ He gives another breath of a laugh. ] Sỳn Athēnâi kaì kheîra kinei.

Do you hear me?

[ Pointing the spear at David again. ] The Gods have sent me here to ensure fate is as planned; to make sure that you, Jacques-Louis David, understand your role in this important event in history.

The king will die when in due time, when he's intended to.

[Poor David. He's the world's nerdiest Achilles fanboy, and here he was, on the roof of his house, talking to him in Greek and threatening to kill him. Ryuji would almost feel bad if it weren't for---

Owch. What the hell, man? He rubs his ass and turns his head around to glare at Achilles. Look, he was giving it his best. When COST gave him a new vocabulary and language to use, they were keenly lacking in the ability for Ryuji to actually sound refined, in any sort of lexicography. But even his scowl is met with indifference as Achilles dons the mask of best supporting character ("Bad Cop" in the credits role), and starts to dictate how this exchange is going to continue.

If anything, he knows that were the roles to be reversed, chances are Ryuji wouldn't take this laying down like this. He'd fight back, recklessly, and wind up with a spear through his gut.

"P-Please, don't hurt me, I'll do as you say! Yes, yes! I swear it! What necromancy has brought the most beloved of the Greeks to my estate!"

Oh? Sorry, did he mean Ryuji? This mage was still busy rubbing out the sore that was most definitely going to turn into a bruised tuchus.]

Yeah, so, if you don't want a visit from my friend here, you better stay inside. I hear it's dangerous at night.

[Well. It was. Ryuji almost got kidnapped once. At least he can speak from the heart on the matter.]

Think we got the message across?

[ Necromancer... pfft. Achilles smirks to himself, shutting his eyes. ]

I think we did, Master. [ A little inside joke, though he gives Ryuji a knowing grin, baring the faintest bit of teeth beneath the moonlight. ]

Shall we go? If you're not going to let me eat his soul, then there's no need to be here any longer.

[ It's a half-truth. He wouldn't do something as deplorable as taking a human's life essence, but he's certainly capable of it. ]

[That was cringe-worthy, Achilles. Either way, Ryuji nods, and crosses his arms, looking over to the Heroic Spirit.]

Eh, we've already crushed him enough today. Let's go.

[Oh... there's the matter of getting him back to his room, right? David can figure it out himself, he's a big boy.

He heads to the edge of the roof away from the both of them, expecting that Achilles would be on his trail.

Come on dude, don't let my dramatic exit down, gimme a hand here.]

[ It's only cringe-worthy because you have no idea that he could legitimately eat his soul, okay!!!

Anyway, he's going to ruin your dramatic exit. He approaches him from behind and literally... scoops him up in his arm, holding him like a football or sack of potatoes.

And prepares for lift off.

Is he going to protest/struggle? ]

[Damn straight, he's going to struggle!

This was his one goddamn chance to look cool and Achilles goes and ruins it. Ryuji is so beyond pissed it's not even funny, and he flails almost the entire way down, aiming a fist straight at his side.]

You asshole! You ruined it. This is ruined. This mission? It sucks. Put me down, dude! I ain't cargo!!

[ He laughs through the tantrum, holding onto him tightly as his feet hit the ground, creating yet another crater in the otherwise smooth cobbled road. He's such an ass. ]

How else did you think you were gonna get down, you idiot? [ He sets him down, unaffected by the punching. ]

[Thank god he's back on firm ground. He's done crazy jumps before, but never while hoisted at the waist, and always of his own volition. Ryuji breathes through his nose like a bull in winter, and gives him a bit of a shove, landing his foot straight into the crater that Achilles had formed with his own feet and wobbles a little bit to stand up straight.

UGH

This can't get any worse. He just wanted to be cool.]

You could've... I DUNNO, MAN. ANYTHING BUT THAT?

[He hopes David doesn't hear him.]

Even an effin' piggy back ride woulda been better than what you just did. Seriously, you're ruining my street cred, [What street cred? But he appends his statement with a bit of an upward flick in his intonation.] Achilles.

Okay, dude. Spill the beans.

[ Don't lecture him. He doesn't do well with that.

But he can't take him seriously, not when he did sorta humiliate him. So he patiently waits out the storm, looking on impassively as Ryuji turns the entire conversation around.

Yeah, he's not having it. ]

I forgot something. [ BYE. He's going to disappear in a cloud of blue particles. He's gotta go retrieve that painting he left behind! ]

[Was that lecturing? Sounded more like whining. Oops- he'll have to learn to tread a little more carefully with his tantrums. And he's feeling that his shouting is going on deaf ears, anyway when suddenly--- he's. He's gone.]

Did you seriously just tell me to eat your dust?

[All for some 18th century softcore porn?

Aggravated, he pulls off his mask and dips it back into the fold of his waistband. He kicks up some cobblestone from the ground, folds his arms and starts walking away from the mansion.]

This asshole.

[ Jeez, Ryuji. Have you no patience?

He seriously did have to go retrieve his painting. And when he comes back, he finds Ryuji gone...

Well, so much for that. ]

[SEMI-OPEN] took a power trip

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