Culinary Darts

Emmy | Akemi

"Of course. And I'm certain the person who had to die understood that as well. Mine did."

She says, allowing the truth or lack thereof in that statement to hang for a moment. Whether this man would be honest with her or not was hardly a concern, but if he was telling the truth then the statement wouldn't hurt as much. In her case, surely her 'victim' knew, in the end, why he had to die. He didn't accept it, but he knew.

"That we're here at all implies some level of knowledge of our crimes. But I suppose with whatever these projections aim to be, the truth of the matter will come out for the both of us, Mr…?"

Hikaru Suzuki

Something about that seems to amuse Hikaru, and he chuckles, if a little bitterly.

"Oh, that's something I know for certain. He knew exactly why it had to happen. I'm not sure if that made it any easier, for you or for me, but…"

He shrugs, maybe more to himself than Akemi, and eats a little more of his stir fry. It's started to go a little cold, but ah well.

Oh, that's right, they'd been having this whole conversation without so much as an introduction.

"Suzuki, Hikaru. I'm sure it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance after this lovely chat, Ms…?"

Emmy | Akemi

"If nothing else, it means I have no reason to ask for forgiveness."

She replies, trying a bite of her eggs. They were better than the salad, at least, but they were far from gourmet.

She's already got an idea in her head of the nature of his crime. However accurate it may be remains to be seen. The winks and smiles thrown her way are ineffective at best.

"Kuro. Akemi. And what is it that you did before all of this, Suzuki-san?"

Hikaru Suzuki

"From who? Your victim, the wardens… yourself? Or just the world in general, I suppose."

All of the above are equally valid answers in Hikaru's eyes. Akemi might be blunt, but he's kind of enjoying her coldness, in a way. It's refreshing.

"I played darts and worked at a bar. …If you're expecting me to say I was a hitman or something, we're not quite at that stage of our relationship yet, sorry."

Probably a joke. He certainly doesn't say it with a serious tone.

Emmy | Akemi

"From anyone."

It wasn't necessarily her goal to confront Hikaru or start anything, but she could hardly help her cold responses. They came as naturally as breathing, here. The benefit here was that this particular person really had nothing to hold over her.

"Well of course, I'd hardly expect a fully truthful answer from someone so concerned about keeping up appearances. The truth is often far too unflattering."

Hikaru Suzuki

Hikaru nods as if he understands perfectly, which probably doesn't help Akemi's impression of him one bit. He even seems amused by her assessment of him.

"Ah, then I should have just made it all up, right? Claimed to be something noble like a doctor who's terribly torn up about all the patients I couldn't save."

"It's not like anything from me is ever trustworthy anyway. You're right to doubt me. Though I don't know if I can trust anything you say, either, of course."

As if him being a doctor would have been remotely believable, given the lack of smarts he's shown... But that's probably the point.

Emmy | Akemi

"No, being something as basic as a bartender who throws darts is a suitable enough facade, since it requires minimal study. I'm doubtful anyone could believe a much more elaborate lie than that. Most conmen need only to convince the world at large of their virtue."

She shrugs, taking another bite of her cooling meal.

"You have no reason to trust me, but there is one significant difference between us: you seem to care far more about your public image than I do."

Hikaru Suzuki

Hikaru laughs lightly, bringing a hand to his chest in mock-offence.

"Minimal study? I think you'll find it takes a long time to learn how to make the perfect cocktail. Especially if you're doing it quickly."

He's used to his profession being looked down upon, though. It isn't exactly something that requires intellectual rigour, or puts any 'good' out into the world. And his hobby-turned-sort-of-work is even worse for that. So he doesn't seem to be genuinely upset.

"True enough. You must be pretty brave, or at least just lucky, to not have to worry how others think of you."

Emmy | Akemi

"I would say that making a cocktail incorrectly has fewer drawbacks than doing surgery incorrectly. And unless you gamble to a dangerous and illegal level, a poorly-thrown dart is hardly life or death. You were the one to suggest as bold a lie as medicine."

She keeps a fairly controlled expression at the insinuation of luck, only chuckling lightly.

"Ah yes, perhaps I have lived a lucky life. Or, perhaps everyone here lacks the ability to say or do anything that will impact me."

Hikaru Suzuki

"Very true. I really would hate to work some sort of job where I held people's lives in my hands."

He says it quite genuinely, though there's an obvious sense of irony behind it, as if something Akemi said particularly rankled him this time. Even if he'd joked about it, ultimately he hadn't claimed to be anything more than he was, after all.

A wry smile crosses his lips, though Hikaru can't keep it for long before his face falls.

"Isn't that the luckiest thing of all? To not have to worry about that."

Emmy | Akemi

"I am doubtful I could do it, myself."

She could admit that much earnestly. Even though Hikaru hadn't done anything in particular to earn her ire, it did amuse Akemi just a little to see that her words had an impact.

She looks at Hikaru, expression slightly more serious.

"I was driven to execute someone, and I had no delusions that I would get away with it for long. I would hardly call it luck when it simply meant there was very little left to lose. All either of us have left to worry about, as far as I'm concerned, is what will happen to us after judgment is passed."

Hikaru Suzuki

"…Yeah, fair enough. I've… honestly not put much thought into that. I just felt like, if we've been trapped here by something, that was enough to make me want to get out. I didn't really consider what might be waiting for us if we do leave. If."

…Ugh, that was getting too close to some kind of honest emotional vulnerability. He starts scraping up the dregs of his stir fry so he has an excuse to leave quickly.

"Besides, I'm surrounded by such lovely company, why would I ever want to leave?"

Now that definitely was sarcasm. He all but expects it to piss off Akemi more.

Emmy | Akemi

"I'm doubtful there will be very much good waiting for any of us if we get out. Formal prison, execution in some cases. And that's if we're 'forgiven' and sent back to our lives. Those who are not forgiven, perhaps, have something worse in store here."

Akemi just smirks back at Hikaru. If he's pissed her off, she certainly isn't showing it.

"Ah, finally, something went can agree on. We are utterly surrounded by the best society has to offer."

Hikaru Suzuki

Out of one prison, and into another… The question is, which is the frying pan and which the fire?

Instead of further speculating what might await them, or him specifically, Hikaru busies himself finishing his food and washing up the cutlery and crockery. Whether the silence is awkward or not is up to interpretation, but he doesn't seem too bothered. He turns back to Akemi with a smile.

"You can say that again. Good talk, Ms Kuro. Much as I've enjoyed your company, I should take a shower before my time slot is up."

Emmy | Akemi

Akemi saw little reason to fill the silence, and simply took it upon herself to finish her meal before it got cold.

"Naturally. I cannot say I've enjoyed your company, but I'm certain you knew that. Best of luck with the shower, I'm certain the 5-in-1 soap will do wonders for your flawless complexion."

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