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[fourlevels]

"Hi! This is Viktor Nikiforov!
Please leave a message!"

Comments

[sleight_of_hand]

I think it's because of the whole, 'Take back Heropa,' thing people were whining about.

[fourlevels]

Take back ... ? From what, imPorts?

[sleight_of_hand]

I guess so. That and the demilitarization at Cape Canaveral is... unsettling to say the least.

[fourlevels]

[ The blank look on Viktor's face should tell Adachi just how close Viktor followed that. Which was not at all. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

...Viktor, do you even read the Majority Reports?

[fourlevels]

Sometimes? I just get tired of all the imPort gossip; too similar to home.

[sleight_of_hand]

Ugh... I can't blame you on that one. I'm just waiting for an actual imPort watch column to show up or something.

[ He'd loose his goddamn mind, because he knows there's enough people that fan over the two of them that they'd show up in it at least once or twice. ]

[fourlevels]

Ah, don't jinx it.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi turned to look up at him, mouth open with a reply, when he heard the telltale sound of a camera snapping. He whipped his head around, but too late; the camera weilding native was already barreling away as fast as they could on a skateboard of all things. Adachi let out an irritated grumble, folding his arms over his chest. ]

...our fans are a menace.

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor barely heard it, more looking in the direction Adachi looked because he was looking in the first place. Viktor just lets out a subtle sigh. ]

You get used to it. I barely notice them anymore unless they're polite and ask me for a photo.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi let out a breath, finally pulling himself up to his feet. ]

I dunno... doesn’t make it right. Or fair.

[ He paused a moment, before shaking his head. ]

And here I used to want big city detective fame. Ugh...

[fourlevels]

Mmm, I would imagine detective fame is still a far cry different than a celebrity. You'd only be well-known in your circles, and a little bit in newspapers, news shows after a big case and the like. But a celebrity is everywhere, in your magazines, on your TV, even in the products you buy right down to the snacks from the convenience store. Sometimes even little toys with their faces on it and little outfits they can change into.

[ All this said with a nonchalance akin to talking about the weather. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi’s skin seriously looked like it was going to crawl off without the rest of him. ]

Ugh, no thanks. Can you imagine how ugly toys with my likeness would be?

[ He finally looked back at Viktor, concern registering on his face. ]

...you really sure you’re okay with all that?

[fourlevels]

Like I said, I've already grown used to it.

[sleight_of_hand]

Yeah, but are you okay with that?

[ He turned toward him then, waving a hand. ]

Seriously, Viktor, you pretend your feelings don’t matter more than I do.

[fourlevels]

I'm okay with it? I've been used to it for years so why wouldn't I be?

[ He just gives Adachi an odd look at the gesture. ]

[sleight_of_hand]

Hmmm...

[ Adachi peeeeeered at him, before he let out a sigh. ]

...sorry; you're just so used to something that's kinda bizarre to me. It makes me a little worried.

[fourlevels]

Worried? Why?

[sleight_of_hand]

Because sometimes I think you put more focus on everything around you than you do yourself. Like, you say you're fine with something, but you're not really taking into account how it makes you feel.

[fourlevels]

Well ...

[ There's a beat or two while he considers how best to answer that. ]

... Yes.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi tilted his head in confusion. ]

Yes?

[fourlevels]

Yes, just like you said.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi's shoulders slumped at that. ]

Viktor, that's bad.

[fourlevels]

Is it? It just made everything easier though.

[sleight_of_hand]

Easier for who?

[ Adachi gave him a concerned look; genuinely concern, for Viktor himself, not just for what he could do. ]

If I've learned anything from therapy, it's that you need to be honest with how you feel to yourself. Otherwise you'll just make the lie your reality, and completely avoid the fact that you're hurting.