( zerzura | soon after arrival )

[impede]

[The first to reach out this way? Perhaps. Akechi is uncomfortable about the notion of telepathy, but that's partly because he doesn't want anyone in his head.]

Hello, everyone. I haven't had the chance to speak to any of you less intimately, so I apologize for the intrusion.

[There's a hint of a laugh to his tone, like he can't help it. This is so utterly ridiculous ... and he's also not that sorry. He just doesn't want anyone in his head. It comes with the risk of the situation at hand.]

I have noticed two things already. First? That my powers seem to have ... changed quite a bit since I've come here. I was merely testing if they still worked, and let's just say that the end result is far more dramatic than I might have liked. I was also able to prevent that change from continuing. Sorry, I won't go into details about what that power is, but let's say I didn't have the handle with it to just shut it off.

Secondly, well—I believe this is less a matter of noticing, and more a suggestion: we don't belong here. They believe they can play to our sympathies, but as I've told several of you, it's better if we're cautious about that. Let's find out what we can, and act as if we accept our lives here. We cannot be played like fiddles like you've all let yourselves be used before. That would be incautious.

[That is Akechi's issue with the Displaced in a nutshell. So caught up in what they believe they can do, they're led around by their noses. They're so much like the Phantom Thieves that it sickens him. Perhaps they can think twice ...

Though he doubts that's even possible.]

Comments

@illya.kuryakin

[kgbs]

[ illya will always hates the network but he can't not respond to this, not after what's happened. but he hates it even more now that communication is coming in this particular way. it feels incredibly invasive. ]

I haven't tried to use my power yet because I haven't yet needed to do so. But, is your ability basically the same but the way it works has changed? Or has the ability changed completely?

[ neither was good news but one was better than the other. ]

You're also making quite a lot of generalizations about people. Who says anyone has been played like a fiddle as you say?

[impede]

It's both changed and remained the same. It seems as if there are new ... additions to it, but I haven't been able to identify all of them just yet. More trial and error will be required.

[Is it rude to say they've been played like fiddles? Yes. But it's what Akechi believes.]

As for the rest, I believe you'll have to take it up with Cassius. I formed my opinion based on that entire arrangement. For better or worse.

[kgbs]

What did you use your ability on here?

[ he hadn't seen any altercations as of yet but he also hadn't been looking closely. ]

Are you not part of that opinion then?

[impede]

Some of our worshippers, for lack of a better word. They were all too willing to see what I could do.

[It worked out quite nicely.]

Why would I be a part of that opinion? That would make me less of an objective observer. Of course, I am quite new to these numbers. Perhaps I'm privileged in that way.

[kgbs]

Ah. So, it wasn't an offensive weapon, just a demonstration? What did they think?

[ and how different that was from where they came from where they had to keep their abilities hidden for safety reasons. ]

Perhaps you are. But, I don't think I've let myself be played at all, as you say. You're generalizing.

[impede]

They were relieved I could negate the effects.

[Less awe. But Akechi may be clearly concealing something.]

Have you acted to save the people of this world? Or have you acted in a way that makes you believe you're saving the people of this world?

I should be more specific. I mean the world of New Amsterdam, not Zerzura. We're too new here to make such decisions!

[kgbs]

Hm.

[ he wonders what sort of ability he's talking about but doesn't ask. ]

I have done what is needed to be done to help those in New Amsterdam. I am not going around blithely killing people like some are.

The only people I want to eliminate are the UNA.

[impede]

[Fascinating information—truly. The fact that he equates heroism to blithely killing ...

Though perhaps Akechi could've been more precise in his wording! He doesn't bother to clarify.

Instead:]

How do you propose to eliminate the militaristic arm of the entire world's government?

[kgbs]

Very carefully.

[ that's his version of a joke even if he is actually serious. ]

[variate]

[ hey, sounds familiar. ]

Something does seem fishy.

[impede]

Doesn't it?

Given your experience, what would you do about it?

[Is that a sore spot that Akechi loves to dig his finger into?

Yes.]

[variate]

[ thanks, Akechi. ]

Make sure that you're aware of what you're doing, probably.

[impede]

[Did he walk into that one?]

General "you," I assume?

[variate]

[ 100% ]

Yeah.

[ hm. ]

It always seems like we're lacking information.

[impede]

And yet they believe I'm criticizing them for acting despite it.

[Is he whining?]

[variate]

[ this sounds like whining. ]

You do get straight-forward in tone.

[impede]

I prefer to think of it as pointing out what needs to be heard.

[forcevisions]

I wish you wouldn't talk to us all like this.

[ No one else is saying it, so Rey will. ]

[impede]

Someone has to break the ice. Unfortunately, we won't have much privacy otherwise.

[Akechi should be sorry, but he's not.]

Is that all you had to say today? Nothing about what else I've recommended?

[forcevisions]

You mean the part where you insulted all of us and told us we were to blame for being manipulated?
No. I don't have anything to say about that.

[impede]

It's up to you to pull the wool off your eyes, not me.

But I suppose I'm happy to help.

[forcevisions]

And just who does it help, you acting like you're better than the rest of us?

[impede]

[Akechi decides that Rey is a lot like Ryuji: loud and easily offended. It is not at all a fair comparison.]

Objectivity has a place. I don't have the same biases that many of you do regarding your actions.

[forcevisions]

You're not objective just because your perspective is different than ours.

[impede]

No, I'm objective because I've been trained to be that way. The objectivity is helped along by my newness to the situation.

Do you know about detectives?