[ dolph has seen billiards before, though it's not a big thing in the bars and clubs he used to frequent. alex probably had more experience there. he twirls the stick idly, getting a sense of the weight. he doesn't want to accidentally break it.
he uses his metal arm to prop it up, which is probably cheating but. what can you do. then he slides his stick across the green to break the balls which . . . shoot off in alarming speed. ]
[ These moments are a reminder that Dolph is, in fact, powerful. Akechi steps back from the table to avoid anything flying, but it all it stays in place, just scatters and slams into the sides. ]
You do - it requires planning and foresight. An action taken now may set you up to fail for the rest of the game. Precision and control are key.
[ Akechi takes his own turn - lines up the cue ball to a striped one for an easy sink. The stripped ball slides into the pocket. ]
It doesn't seem like much, at a glance. When you consider the nature of the game, and how it's played, sometimes one ball hits another outside of your intent and there's nothing you can do about it. The outcome will happen whether you plan for it not.
[ With a dramatic sweeping gesture to the table, he continues - ]
But there's still plenty a person can do. Study your opponent and try to predict where they'll aim. Use their own moves against them. You can also set up future shots that may make no sense to the unexperienced, and thus be ignored by your opponent, until it's time to strike and end it.
[ Akechi won't hold back anymore, though he can see the futility of the battle. It doesn't make him less interested in the outcome. ]
Do you find that ability a burden or blessing? I have to wonder if it's not a bit of both. There's a certain joy one can get from a challenge, just as there's joy from destroying your opponent thoroughly.
[ Akechi takes an opportunity to line up a ball - watches it roll right into another pocket. ]]
I suppose you never had an opportunity to truly live otherwise. [ A beat. ] If you didn't have that skill, I wonder what you would be bad at. Surely there's some area where you would struggle.
[ he grabs his cue once more. assesses the table absently as he responds to akechi's question. dolph generally doesn't deal with what ifs. his future, his life, his potential has been cut off. he may explore, he may get to do more in this place but it is finite in the dream. the evanescence of it all.
that being said, he finds this a touch ironic. they were in a bar not long ago, having a conversation similar to this. the roles, reversed. ]
Assuming I didn't live the child soldier life? Who knows. Creative shit is hard for me. Computers can't substitute that, just skill. Imitation.
[ And it is, in fact, incredibly funny. The illustrious Madarame comes to mind in that moment. ]
Even without a computer in their skull, those acts of creativity remain out of reach for even those deeply embedded in the arts.
[ It's too goddamn funny. ]
In my world, there was a recent scandal surrounding it. A man known for his extensive career painting, who was famous throughout the country for his incredible works, was found out to have been a fraud. He stole everything from his pupils - nothing belonged to him. The money he earned was funding other criminal schemes. It was quite a shock.
[ Akechi will lose in the next round. There's no way Dolph doesn't manage to get the final balls into their respective spots.
He tries a different tactic and attempts to split them up with a well hit cue ball, a foul on his part by ramming into Dolph's balls instead of his own. Akechi doesn't feign being apologetic. Continues on as ever. ]
The act itself didn't surprise me, but the degree of which that cruelty was enacted and the abuse of pupils involved did. The corruption of those in power is evident. It's the people that wander near their heels I'm often stunned by.
Fame and fortune are an enticing matter. Perhaps I've been too naive to think that most aren't sacrificing their own humanity to get it.
[ dolph's cynical enough. he doesn't trust the system. he doesn't trust anyone in power. and his trust, even in the people he loves, is fully cognisant of the idea that they can gun him down at any moment. he almost welcomes that. better to die at the hands at someone who loves you.
he's too tired to care about future betrayals. if. should. maybe. ]
You're still sticking to it. For most people, humanity is not something they realize is worth keeping. Nobody tends to think much of it.
[ It's a fair enough assessment. The point is made with a single finger. Akechi doesn't do anything more than watch. Listen. ]
Your perspective is more valuable than most - you know that, don't you? Despite what they've done to you, I feel as if your humanity shines brightest of all. It's fascinating.
[ It's irritating. ]
I wonder whatever happened to most of his pupils. I certainly hope they're fairing well and the experience hasn't clouded their perspective too much.
[ a brief pause. compliments are weird. even more so from akechi because dolph has to wonder how true it is. though he supposes they've already reached that conclusion recently. it is always a kind of truth involved here. ]
Even if it does, what matters is how you rise above it. You don't have to be blind to it. But you decide if you're beholden to it or not.
It's up to the person to decide, no matter what forces were against them from the start. Whether they choose to lament and suffer or strive for something more - it's on them in the end.
[ A beat. ]
Of course, I'm still sympathetic to such plights. All the good intent in the world may not save them from a life in the shadows.
[ And if Akechi were entirely honest, he would state with the utmost resolve that he could give two goddamn shits about who's saved by it.
And if Akechi were entirely a liar, he would state with the utmost bravado that it would save the world.
And because Akechi sits comfortably between the two with Dolph -
He watches the final balls drop into their respective pockets and states - ]
Who can truly say. [ It might save someone. May save no one. Akechi may not live long enough to see its aftermath. ] Some matters must be taken on with a certain degree of risk. No, perhaps it will help no one. Maybe it will help everyone. The future is an unpredictable thing, after all.
I suppose that's true. One cannot exist without the other. You don't gain knowledge of both by only acknowledging one though.
[ Even though the game's over -
Akechi starts to pluck the balls from the pockets and toss them back onto the table. ]
You're welcome to watch or join me. It's your house after all, but I need the practice if I'm going to beat you. I hope you don't mind if I stay for some time to do so.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
he uses his metal arm to prop it up, which is probably cheating but. what can you do. then he slides his stick across the green to break the balls which . . . shoot off in alarming speed. ]
Hm. You really have to be precise.
no subject
You do - it requires planning and foresight. An action taken now may set you up to fail for the rest of the game. Precision and control are key.
[ Akechi takes his own turn - lines up the cue ball to a striped one for an easy sink. The stripped ball slides into the pocket. ]
no subject
How much planning can go into something like this?
no subject
[ With a dramatic sweeping gesture to the table, he continues - ]
But there's still plenty a person can do. Study your opponent and try to predict where they'll aim. Use their own moves against them. You can also set up future shots that may make no sense to the unexperienced, and thus be ignored by your opponent, until it's time to strike and end it.
[ Like murder! ]
no subject
Are you sure you're not overthinking a game about balls?
no subject
Potentially.
[ The next ball doesn't make it into the pocket, so he gestures for Dolph to go. ]
It's a bad habit of mine to put meaning where it sometimes doesn't belong. Still, I do find this game to more strategic than most.
no subject
dolph grabs his cue to lay in the shot. and he does something uncharacteristic of himself.
he cheats. with his computer, he could easily project the trajectory of each shot. the angle. the momentum required. the next move.
clack and four balls are shot into pockets in one smooth move. ]
no subject
That's incredible. Calling that beginner's luck wouldn't be appropriate, I assume.
no subject
[ he taps the metal part of his face. ]
I have a computer wired to my brain. Technically, I can learn anything. Master anything. It's just a matter of downloading the info.
no subject
[ Akechi won't hold back anymore, though he can see the futility of the battle. It doesn't make him less interested in the outcome. ]
Do you find that ability a burden or blessing? I have to wonder if it's not a bit of both. There's a certain joy one can get from a challenge, just as there's joy from destroying your opponent thoroughly.
no subject
There's no point trying to break it down into blessing and curses. I'm stuck with it. It's a part of it. I don't like it but I can't escape it.
So I don't really waste time in thinking about it like that.
no subject
I suppose you never had an opportunity to truly live otherwise. [ A beat. ] If you didn't have that skill, I wonder what you would be bad at. Surely there's some area where you would struggle.
no subject
that being said, he finds this a touch ironic. they were in a bar not long ago, having a conversation similar to this. the roles, reversed. ]
Assuming I didn't live the child soldier life? Who knows. Creative shit is hard for me. Computers can't substitute that, just skill. Imitation.
no subject
[ And it is, in fact, incredibly funny. The illustrious Madarame comes to mind in that moment. ]
Even without a computer in their skull, those acts of creativity remain out of reach for even those deeply embedded in the arts.
[ It's too goddamn funny. ]
In my world, there was a recent scandal surrounding it. A man known for his extensive career painting, who was famous throughout the country for his incredible works, was found out to have been a fraud. He stole everything from his pupils - nothing belonged to him. The money he earned was funding other criminal schemes. It was quite a shock.
no subject
[ dolph aims. three more balls fall into the holes. ]
You wouldn't be shocked over something like that.
no subject
[ Akechi will lose in the next round. There's no way Dolph doesn't manage to get the final balls into their respective spots.
He tries a different tactic and attempts to split them up with a well hit cue ball, a foul on his part by ramming into Dolph's balls instead of his own. Akechi doesn't feign being apologetic. Continues on as ever. ]
The act itself didn't surprise me, but the degree of which that cruelty was enacted and the abuse of pupils involved did. The corruption of those in power is evident. It's the people that wander near their heels I'm often stunned by.
Fame and fortune are an enticing matter. Perhaps I've been too naive to think that most aren't sacrificing their own humanity to get it.
no subject
[ dolph's cynical enough. he doesn't trust the system. he doesn't trust anyone in power. and his trust, even in the people he loves, is fully cognisant of the idea that they can gun him down at any moment. he almost welcomes that. better to die at the hands at someone who loves you.
he's too tired to care about future betrayals. if. should. maybe. ]
You're still sticking to it. For most people, humanity is not something they realize is worth keeping. Nobody tends to think much of it.
[ he runs a finger down his visor. ]
Until it's gone.
no subject
Your perspective is more valuable than most - you know that, don't you? Despite what they've done to you, I feel as if your humanity shines brightest of all. It's fascinating.
[ It's irritating. ]
I wonder whatever happened to most of his pupils. I certainly hope they're fairing well and the experience hasn't clouded their perspective too much.
no subject
Even if it does, what matters is how you rise above it. You don't have to be blind to it. But you decide if you're beholden to it or not.
no subject
[ That's all there is to it. ]
It's up to the person to decide, no matter what forces were against them from the start. Whether they choose to lament and suffer or strive for something more - it's on them in the end.
[ A beat. ]
Of course, I'm still sympathetic to such plights. All the good intent in the world may not save them from a life in the shadows.
no subject
Does yours? Does it save anyone?
no subject
And if Akechi were entirely a liar, he would state with the utmost bravado that it would save the world.
And because Akechi sits comfortably between the two with Dolph -
He watches the final balls drop into their respective pockets and states - ]
Who can truly say. [ It might save someone. May save no one. Akechi may not live long enough to see its aftermath. ] Some matters must be taken on with a certain degree of risk. No, perhaps it will help no one. Maybe it will help everyone. The future is an unpredictable thing, after all.
no subject
Just remember. Understanding human nature and humanity is different.
Don't fall into the same trap.
no subject
[ Even though the game's over -
Akechi starts to pluck the balls from the pockets and toss them back onto the table. ]
You're welcome to watch or join me. It's your house after all, but I need the practice if I'm going to beat you. I hope you don't mind if I stay for some time to do so.
no subject
You think you can?
(no subject)
wrapppp