[Week 6, Saturday: Max]

[purrtagonist]

[now that Max isn't HIDING, Akira is totally going to seek him out as the trial finally comes to a close]

So. . .

[. . . so!]

[what comes next?]

Comments

[concertmaster]

Nice wings.

[ so what. ]

[purrtagonist]

Thanks.

[they're definitely baby Reaper wings, much larger than someone more experienced than he]

So. . . [OUT WITH IT, AKIRA] How're you feeling?

[that isn't the question he wants to ask but he's going to ease into it]

[concertmaster]

My eye itches. Medical eyepatches fucking suck.

[ this is, clearly, what he was asking. ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . soft snort]

How long do you have to wear that thing?

[concertmaster]

[ ... ]

Honestly, I don't know. Maya and Anthy aren't actually fucking medics.

[purrtagonist]

Do. . . they not have cure drink?

[concertmaster]

They do, but it's kind of ...

[ vague hand gestures ]

Anyway, scars are badass and I've got all my bits, so.

[purrtagonist]

[what does that mean!!]

Usually people explain away cool scars as injuries acquired while fighting a bear, but in this case you were the bear, so. . .

[concertmaster]

Injuries acquired fighting idiots works too.

[purrtagonist]

A suitable stand-in.

[leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets]

So. . .

. . . is your position as an Angel why you can't kill Campbell yourself?

[concertmaster]

[ sticks his tongue out but then he shrugs ]

Basically? I'm serious about not wanting the job ever too, but it's not like I can even fill it. It'd just leave a power vacuum.

[purrtagonist]

Yeah. I can see how it would.

[his offer to help is still on the table, Max]

How'd you become an Angel so fast, if this is only our fourth or fifth Game?

[concertmaster]

I'm something called a Producer.

[ yea, another music themed name. he knows. ]

They're a special class chosen directly from Players with "potential". They exist to bridge the gap between the Composers and the Higher Plane, as well as making sure the Composer does their actual fucking job. That can include hand picking the next Composer if they think it's necessary. I'm pretty sure they offered it to me because whoever had it with Campbell was not working out.

[purrtagonist]

[AKIRA'S USED TO IT BY NOW, IT'S FINE]

And they thought you'd be able to bridge that gap better than anyone else?

[. . .]

Even with how much you hate him?

[concertmaster]

They expected me to fucking get rid of the problem. Campbell's a manipulator at heart, but he's worth jackshit as a Composer. They figured I'd be the best bet to either keep him in line or get him the fuck out.

[purrtagonist]

[ah]

And here you are, planning to assassinate him.

[ha]

I guess on that, they were right.

[concertmaster]

Like I said, that kind of shit is a Producer's duty too. [ kicks at the ground ] Rumor goes the jackass that normally runs Shibuya was handpicked by his Producer while he was still alive. Though that's probably exaggerated bullshit, considering how the Games work. But yeah, once I find a replacement, all I've got to do is... gently nudge them in the direction of erasing Campbell.

[purrtagonist]

And what will you do when you accomplish that goal?

[asking. . . gently. he doesn't even suspect Max asked Mary, christ]

[concertmaster]

[ teehee ]

Keep guiding them and do my actual job as Producer for them.

[ he just ... shrugs ]

I can't just instate in someone and not make sure they're actually decent, that ruins the entire purpose.

[purrtagonist]

[I WANT HIM TO FIND OUT]

Mmm. Under your guidance? I'm sure they'll do just fine.

[heh]

Come visit me sometime.

[concertmaster]

[wait for endgame fool]

Hopefully.

[ and then he smirks ]

This is where you lucked out I'm Producer. Travel between different worlds is kind of hard for regular baby Reapers.

[ NEVER LETS GO JACK ]

[purrtagonist]

[aw he didn't say no??? NEVER LETS GO JACK INDEED]

If I practice, I'm sure I could become proficient in it myself. There are people I want to visit, too.

[like Setz?? Yang????]

[concertmaster]

In your case, I'm pretty sure you can ask for help with it as a favor from your Composer.

[and no one else, clearly]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . huh!]

In my case, and my case only?

[concertmaster]

Your Composer's a pushover and I guess you did okay in this Game overall.

[ "i guess" ]

[purrtagonist]

[MAX DON'T CALL MINATO A PUSHOVER]

I survived the entire Game even though you thought I'd get Erased on week two. I think that's way better than "okay."

[even if like, most of that was STUPIDLY DUMB LUCK]

[concertmaster]

[ nice people are pushovers thats just how it be ]

It's decent at best.

[purrtagonist]

[and yet he is a Composer explain that]

"Decent" rings better than "okay" and is still pretty good by your terms.

[concertmaster]

[ nice composers are the most pushover of all ]

Don't make me change it to mediocre because you're being pedantic.

[purrtagonist]

Fine, fine. I won't push it.

I'll see what he says when I make it back home. [a beat] If he doesn't heed Yusuke's request.

[concertmaster]

I get the feeling he'll want to keep you. Just a guess.

[ because i'm attached to the pt reaper au ]

[purrtagonist]

[ME FUCKING TOO]

Huh. You really think so?

[the thought doesn't bother him; truthfully, he wants to keep being a Reaper, he just also doesn't want to let his thieves down again. he just. . .]

[isn't really sure if his Composer would find him worthy of the job anymore]

[concertmaster]

[ he usually reserves this long suffering look for setz, fyi. ]

You fit his aesthetic perfectly, from what I know. And like I said. You're a decent asset.

[purrtagonist]

[Akira should feel special for earning it himself]

Hm.

[his mouth twitches into a grin]

If he wants me to stay on, then I won't complain. Though Makoto and Yusuke might.

[concertmaster]

If the Games keep on, they'll get the same choice you did at the end of it.

[purrtagonist]

I doubt they'd take the same route as me.

[he says that NOW, but. . .]

[concertmaster]

Eh, weirder things have happened. I wouldn't entirely count it out.