A very tentative voice test.

[emperorofmiracles]

Calling you my mun implies that you have won out over me.
You are wrong, I have never been defeated. So I won't be calling you that.

I don't care if it's your head space that I inhabit. You won't be sending me anywhere without my permission.

Comments

*Smirk* I am usually all over D_M so I am in wonder how I missed your post...

[invisible_one]

[Appears.]

Akashi-kun, you might not be defeated but Muns usually don't really care about that.

[Aaaaaaand they punish not listening with sticking you in weird memes...]

DW gave me the impression that I replied yesterday but apparently not!

[emperorofmiracles]

[Akashi turns slowly to stare Kuroko down with an intense look.]

I have noticed. But it would benefit them to not disobey me. It looks like maybe that can only be learned the hard way.

[It's hard finding memes that Akashi would co-operate with Only two so far because being intimidated by my muse happened apparently]

I'm so late, but I haven't checked the comm in forever and AKASHI HI

[returnafavor]

Ah, Akashicchi's the same as always, huh?

Despite my better judgement Kise is one of my true weaknesses so THAT'S OKAY. HI.

[emperorofmiracles]

I think I'd be pretty disappointed if an old teammate were to expect something different from me.

It's always against your better judgement when it comes to Kise.

[returnafavor]

That's pretty harsh, and after we haven't seen each other for so long!

[all the texting is another matter entirely, okay? okay.]

Are you getting along with everyone at Rakuzan? It sounds like you and your, ah, player, are friendly already!

[emperorofmiracles]

They have yet to disappoint me. But what about you Ryota? How is your team treating you?

[The answer better be good or else people might go missing. Subtley his eyebrow twitches.]

If you mention that person again I will ask you to do 50 laps around the Kaijō school grounds.

[returnafavor]

[It's not like he thought Akashi would call his new teammates something as pedestrian as friends, but hearing that reminds him all over again of the differences he's been noticing lately between their last year in Teikou and what he's found with Kaijou. It makes him smile, fond - Akashi is Akashi and he would expect nothing less, but he's glad for the support his new team has given him.]

Everyone at Kaijou's been really great. Kasamatsu-senpai hits me sometimes, but it's been a lot of fun playing with everyone. [Please don't go after any of them, they're good senpai, really, even if they do make him help them pick up girls...

And then Akashi's next words register, and the smile vanishes in favor of wide-eyed indignation.]

Ehhhh? Akashicchi, that's cruel! [You're not even his captain anymore! ...but he'd do it, anyway.] I've been working really hard already, fifty laps might seriously kill me!

[emperorofmiracles]

...It looks like you haven't changed much either.

[Perhaps Kise has managed to lighten Akashi's mood. But what's more likely is he has just redirected all of Akashi's attention onto himself. One of these things is decidedly a better outcome than the other.]

Shouldn't you be thinking about what an improvement such demanding activity would make? Maybe then you could finally overcome Daiki in a one on one.

[returnafavor]

[Ouch, Akashicchi, ouch. Way to go right for the throat. He's used to it, though, wouldn't dare expect anything less than such bluntness from Akashi, and it's hardly as though he's blind to his own weaknesses.

Akashi thinks he hasn't changed much? Well, that's okay. He has to keep something as a surprise for the Winter Cup.]

Next time for sure! [He says that, but maybe he can't, maybe he won't ever be able to, and it doesn't matter; he'll still give it his all. It really is more fun not knowing if he won't win, but that doesn't mean he's going to limit himself anymore. Fighting to his full potential and still not being sure of the outcome, that makes things even better.] Ah, but senpai already yelled at me about staying for extra practice, Akashicchi... I really don't want to get kicked again.

[emperorofmiracles]

[Oh, Ryota do you think you have a chance of winning against Akashi? How cute. There is no way Akashi would lose in a match -- but still, challenge him with everything or he'll be very disappointed.]

If you hate being kicked so much why not kick back?

[That's the logical reaction... right?]

[returnafavor]

[Everything he's got and maybe more than he should, but there's not a chance he's going to hold back. Akashi's not the only one to beat and he has no intention of forgetting to return the favor he owes Seirin.]

Eh, it's just senpai. I don't mind it that much and he makes sure to avoid my face. [He knows he deserves it most of the time, after all, and Kasamatsu does it for his own good. Probably.]

[emperorofmiracles]

[Akashi doesn't understand it. He doesn't know how someone can have such a relationship with someone else that they wouldn't mind being frequently and physical reprimanded. Especially when it's someone Akashi does not see as an equal to Kise. Then again, Akashi has never allowed anyone to get that close to him, so how is he to understand? No one will ever be able to be equal to him; that is how it is meant to be.]

Some times it is better to relax and recollect your thoughts. As long as it doesn't distract you then I will continue to remain unconcerned.

[Let's hope Kise doesn't mind that Akashi is shifting rapidly into some sort of motherly mode ...Just don't expect him to do a lot of coddling.]

[returnafavor]

It won't, it won't, I promise! [He feels almost like he's being scolded, but that's pretty normal from Akashi. Still, old habits, and he can't help but give Akashi something of a reassurance that he's not just fooling around out from under Akashi's watchful eyes.] Kaijou's strong, you know? We're not going to the tournament to play around.

[It's strange, wanting to win for his team as much as he wants to win for the sake of winning, but it's not a bad feeling at all.]

Ah, but if Akashicchi's going to be in Tokyo for the tournament anyway, we should all get together after! It's a rare chance, after all.

[emperorofmiracles]

I shouldn't have to remind you that we're rivals now.

[He gives Kise a pointed look. The amount of intensity in the gaze could make a lot of people freeze on the spot. Akashi is about to make his intentions well known here and now. So listen well.]

The only time I will meet with any of you should be when Rakuzan's claim as the strongest is being challenged on the court. I won't engage in such frivolity as "getting together" unless it is necessary or one of my old team mates is to defeat me.

[It's harsh - but so was Akashi's rejection to shake Midorima's hand after their match. Evidently Akashi is very serious about winning.]

But neither you or any living person will ever be about to accomplish that. You can try all you want but in the end it's only natural for me to win.

[returnafavor]

[He's hardly surprised by Akashi's views on the matter, even if he doesn't agree with all of it - sure, they're rivals, but he doesn't see any reason why they can't be friends, too, outside of games. Not that he's going to try to convince Akashi of all people of that, so he just lets his smile shift to something a bit sharper in response to Akashi's stare.]

You really haven't changed , huh? Then, I'll just have to give you a proper greeting on the court. We can all go for karaoke after Kaijou wins. [He says that, but it's still Akashi. No matter how determined he is, it's hard to picture Akashi ever losing.

But that doesn't mean he's not going to give winning his best shot.]

I seriously don't want to lose again.

[emperorofmiracles]

Good, that's how it should be. Don't make an exception and hold yourself back for anyone.

[Akashi smiles, it's actually quite fond. He's excited to face the next challenge to his throne.]

That's the reason you were made a regular at Teiko after all.

[That and Akashi didn't like Haisaki all that much. But it's pretty safe to say everyone else didn't either. When saying such a thing he can't help but speak with a hint of nostalgia; Akashi can be guilty of that once in a while.]

[returnafavor]

There's no way I would.

[Not for Aomine, not for his other old teammates, not for anyone. He's Kaijou's Kise Ryota now, and what he wants most is for his team to win.]

How rare for Akashicchi to be talking about that. Are you sure you don't miss us way out in Kyoto? [And just like that, the serious air falls away to teasing familiarity; Akashi's hardly the only one who can get nostalgic about their days in Teikou.]

[emperorofmiracles]

[That makes not only Kuroko but also Kise that was unable to believe Akashi would start a conversation about the past without having some ulterior motive behind it. Perhaps it's time he started acting offended when someone did that.]

I can call you all out anytime I want. So why would I waste time on such a thing? Besides that, I have a new team to look after.

[It sounds sincere enough. If anything Akashi is more likely to be brutally honest then to lie unless it suits him better to do so.]

As long as none of you get yourself into trouble I don’t have to get myself involved. So try to keep it that way. [A direct jab at you, Ryota. Don't get involved in the dumb things that tend to be attracted by your prescense.]

[returnafavor]

I guess it is a pretty silly thought. Maybe I'm the one feeling nostalgic.

[It's hard not to think that Akashi has some kind of ulterior motive when his team was made well aware that he always had reasons for what he did. Whether or not those reasons are as simple as a bit of reminiscing is something Kise isn't even going to try to guess at, though. Strategy games were something he was more than happy to leave to Akashi and Midorima, and it's enough for him that whatever it is, Akashi's reason is a good one.

That doesn't mean his fond tone doesn't turn abruptly indignant at Akashi's implication, though.]

It's not like I ever try to get in trouble! [Besides, isn't Aomine way more likely to pick a fight? He'll just conveniently ignore all the other kinds of trouble he tends to attract.]

[emperorofmiracles]

Isn't your reaction too childish?

[Don't try to deflect attention onto Daiki. You don't really want to be on his level of delinquency do you? As far as Akashi is concerned Aomine's practice habits are the the worst influence imaginable.]

[returnafavor]

It's because Akashicchi is being so cruel when I'm just happy to see him!

[He'll consider himself lucky that Akashi wasn't around those first few weeks when he wasn't all that invested in going to practice -- and hope Akashi never finds out, even if it may be a vain hope.]

[emperorofmiracles]

[How can anyone be sure whether or not Akashi is with-holding punishment until it's a better time. It would surely be more effective then. There is hopelessly little chance Akashi won't hear about what things his old teammates are doing at some point.]

I wonder if that's really the reason why? I haven't been all that mean to Ryota today.

[What that means is that Akashi can and will be so much worse than a little bit of teasing. Abort mission Akashi can be so much worse.]

[returnafavor]

[He's more than able to take a hint, and Akashi is the one person he won't push when it comes to putting on one of his acts. Warning heard and heeded, and he's quick to backpedal.]

Ah, it's alright, I was just playing! You really haven't been that mean!

[emperorofmiracles]

It's alright if you feel I have wronged you today. Scold me and I will listen attentively.

[This is quite possibly a trick intended to bait Kise into saying something stupid. Although in all seriousness Akashi would sincerely listen to any complaints before passing any judgement. It's the afterwards you need to look out for.]

[returnafavor]

[Urk, Akashi, why are you doing this to him?!]

No, that's-- Akashicchi, that's really not necessary! Can't I just be happy to see you instead?

[emperorofmiracles]

I never said that you couldn't be.

[Because it's fun. Although Akashi takes now as a good time to turn down the intensity and return the conversation to normal interaction instead.]

I'm also happy to see you. You seem to be doing well. Perhaps even better than what I had expected.
[He'll remain silent on the issue with the ankle for now.]

[returnafavor]

[How cruel, even Akashi likes bullying him! It's not like he's getting injured on purpose or anything. Why is he such a popular target...?]

Of course! [Have some sparkles, a wink, and a thumbs up.] You'll be amazed when you see me play!

[Oh, that's why.]

[emperorofmiracles]

[Akashi observes that wink and thumbs up with a mildly amused expression.]

Oh? Then maybe you'll somehow manage to surpass my expectations for your performance this time.