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Joker continues to stare impartially. Like father, like son, he snorts in his head, then immediately feels bad.

With a shake of his head, Joker clears his mind. "No. Let's get to the point. The only way into Drake's Palace is through a wall we need you to open."

Edited 2024-07-12 00:41 (UTC)

"And this is the wall that involved my text message, as I understand it? How did that come about?" Though his tone barely shifts, he never looks away from Crow—probably for the best, as he doesn't catch the look in Joker's eyes. He's never seen his other-self look so defeated. The pit of his stomach wobbles.

"His Shadow appeared," Crow explains. "A few of us tried to reason to no avail. He..." Crow looks to his Shadow, who wilts a little.

"I tried to appeal to him from my personal experiences, but it backfired. Overall, Drake's Shadow saw us as interlopers who sought to change him and used your words as a barricade to keep us from venturing inside."

"And that's why we can't do this without you. As Raven said before, there are loose ends that must be addressed."

"He thinks using your words will lock us out permanently." No way his mortal enemy will show up to do something good for him, after all, goes unsaid. There's a faint air of challenge in Ren's voice, but that's all he has to add for now.

"Well, why would he ever think that?" It is as bright and airy as he knows how to be. "But there's more to this, isn't there? You don't just need me to show up. What's the trick to the barrier? Come to that, do you even have that guy's permission to speak to me?"

"We were asked to speak to you by Frog, as I mentioned before. Everyone knows your assistance is needed, and..." He reaches across the table, but doesn't touch. "I really do think Raven was onto something. Facing the truth of Drake's feelings, regardless of the pain, would be the most courageous thing you could do."

Ren snorts at Magpie's quip. Ok, that was actually kinda funny, even if Ren was just trying to lay it all out on the table. "Our only way in needs you. That's all we know." His voice softens, a bit. "I know you're strong enough. And we'll be there, too."

Okay, now he looks at Ren, sounding brittle. "I don't need my hand held."

"Who said it was about holding your hand? We want to support you because you're important to us. It's less about coddling you and more about being there to catch you if you falter."

Of course, Crow knows such sentiments may not work on their own.

His Shadow gazes up at the donut box. "We'll give you this entire box of donuts to sweeten the deal." He winks. Clearly this is a hilarious joke.

Ren snatches up Magpie's hand. "Now what, idiot?" His grin is shit-eating. "We're gonna support you no matter what."

Oh, shit.

But while his hand doesn't jerk so much as his whole arm jerks, he doesn't quite pull away.

"Supported?" he says, eventually. "Crow, you accused me of trying to drive him to suicide. Which I didn't do," he adds, crossly. "You don't have Drake's permission for this plan, and Frog does not count. You're talking as if I murdered him. And you can't bribe me with junk food," he tells Crow's Shadow, increasingly crossly.

He really wants a donut.

"...Apologies for the accusation. It was more... the wording. That you or he should put a bullet through his head. I know suicide wasn't literally your goal." He briefly looks the other way. "As you can probably surmise, it's been a... difficult day. My words have already hurt enough people."

Crow's Shadow grabs the donut box, holding it in both hands as if it's a treasure chest. "But they're delicious. And I know you can be just as sweet if you—"

"No gay chicken," Crow says.

"But I wasn't—"

The corners of Crow's mouth turn up just a little. "Drake doesn't really have much of a choice. He also trusts Frog the most out of anyone. If Frog sees your presence as a necessity, then Drake will come around despite the bad blood between you."

It is possible that he sits a little straighter, eyes flicking to Crow's Shadow at the mention of gay chicken. Fortunately Crow keeps talking, and so Magpie gets to favour him with the most sceptical of sceptical looks. "Right."

Ren keeps a hold of Magpie's hand, despite the rocky ride. That's gotta be symbolic of their relationship. "Yes gay chicken, just not in the kitchen," he fires back with a wink. "And yeah. Drake trusts Frog. Frog will see reason."

"I'm not trying to cheat!" Crow's Shadow's voice even cracks a little at that, cheeks red. "I was just trying to lighten the mood!"

It at least gets Crow to laugh, albeit hoarsely. "At least a few of the others took a more neutral stance and agree that you're necessary. And if it comes down to it, we can stick together and avoid the others. I certainly don't expect you to spend more time around Glitch and Drake than necessary."

"Hiro, or whatever we're calling you right now. Calm down." But he doesn't reach for a doughnut, and he doesn't let go of Ren's hand; just pinches the bridge of his nose hard, before glaring back at Crow.

"You want me to be part of the mission itself? I can't imagine you'll get permission for that." Though he can see that if he's required for this, he might be required again. For a second he's back in Sae-san's Palace, feeling every other set of eyes there bore into him, mocking his knowledge, his ability, his look... everything.

Edited 2024-07-12 12:41 (UTC)

"We have better imaginations, then," Ren says with a grin.

"Better to bring you along for the mission than to assume it'll be a one and done arrangement. There's enough of us that we'll likely have to break into groups regardless, and of everyone involved, Ren and I know you the best." So, yes, Crow has every reason to grin as well. Confidence may help make it easier for Magpie.

His Shadow say, "...We're still workshopping names, for the record, but that's less important than the task at hand."

Edited 2024-07-12 18:40 (UTC)

But his lip turns out. A bit disgusted with himself, he says, "Going back a few steps here, it sounds as if Drake doesn't have much say in this at all?"

Shut up, he's not concerned.

"Drake has plenty of say," Ren sighs.

Crow shrugs. "We'll know by tonight, I suspect, but the more we can prepare, the easier it'll be once we know with absolute certainty."

That's the important part. They need to account for the inevitable.

"So... Assuming the stars align and it's decided that you are in fact permitted in the Palace. Will you join us?"

"Do I have a choice?" He tries to let go of Ren's hand, to withdraw back into his sulk. He has a choice, of course. He can leave, and return to his apartment. With Yoshizawa-san and her bentos, and the awful, awful neighbours.

Ren flicks his hand lightly. "You always have a choice."

"If you really don't want to go, we can't force you, but I truly do think it would be good for you, and I will support you every step of the way. It may be hard, but—"

Suddenly, and without warning, before Crow can even finish his monologue, a speedy figure dashes into the kitchen, snatches the donut box from Crow's Shadow, and slides it across the table to Magpie with an all too playful smirk.

"Here, Magpie. I believe they've tormented you enough."

Yes, Raven is here. Beware.

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2/2 cw suicide mention

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