Work Text:
Ding
The bell rang as a young wizard strolled into a rustic-looking tavern. It was clean and dimly lit, full of mostly empty chairs.
There were about three other patrons present, what looked to be a human mother and her daughter sitting in a booth, and an elderly genasai reading at the bar counter. The woman’s daughter, who the wizard guessed to be around 8 or 9, stared up at him curiously over a plate of curry. The wizard gave a placent smile and looked over to the bar. The girl nervously returned the action and leaned into her mother.
Behind it stood a boy around his age, who glanced up at him and offered a friendly grin.
“Welcome, to Leblanc, traveler! Have a seat anywhere you’d like, I’ll get you a menu. Feel free to hang your cloak at the door.” His eyes gently crinkled and he vaguely motioned towards a hat-rack with his wrist as he dug around for something behind the bar.
The wizard removed a grey cloak, taking off the hood and revealing light brown hair that was cut just slightly above his shoulders. He strolled over and sat down a couple of seats over from the genasai. By that point, the boy had taken out a menu and handed it to him.
He scanned over it, looking through the beverages.
Huh, that’s odd.
“A bit odd for a tavern not to serve alcohol, isn't it? I’m assuming I wasn’t handed a child’s menu considering the fact that there are plenty of caffeinated options on here.”
“Oh- yea. Probably why we don’t get much business around here. Sorry to disappoint, if you were expecting something else.” The bartender almost looked apologetic.
Almost.
The wizard smiled.
“No, no, not at all- just curious.”
They sat in silence for a moment longer while the wizard analyzed the menu.
“Just the house blend, please.”
“Right away, sir-?”
“Please, just Akechi is fine. Goro Akechi.”
The boy hummed.
“Well then Akechi, it’s nice to meet you.”
Akechi studied the boy. It was hard to get a read on him. He had lighter skin, short dark hair, glasses. Most likely at least part human. He seemed nearly entirely human at first glance, but the more he studied him..
“You’re part tiefling, aren't you?”
The darker haired nodded, his shoulders slightly relaxed and lowered. “Mhm. My grandfather was one. How could you tell?” The boy almost hummed his response.
“You have small fangs. I also couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t cast a shadow anywhere.”
The part-tiefling looked slightly surprised. “Wow, that’s impressive. Usually, the thing that gives it away is the horns, but I guess my hair’s grown out enough for them to be mostly covered. You some sort of detective?”
Akechi gave a polite laugh; “Oh, sort of. I mostly wander around doing whatever quests I can find. A ‘private investigator’ would be the best description, though that’s not entirely accurate.”
The other hummed, “What were you doing before that?”
“Ah, I was somewhat of a courtier, but I’d like to consider myself more of a sage. I am a wizard, after all.” He gave a polite chuckle.
The boy slid a cup of coffee over to him. He leaned over the counter, head resting on his hand as he tilted his head to look over at Akechi.
“Somewhat?”
“Well, my father is a fairly powerful Duke, but we were never in contact until I was around 15. I mostly ‘earned’ my position by being able to gather enough of his attention to take legal custody of me. Though I will say in terms of the royal hierarchy, I’m far closer to the status of ‘earl’ rather than marquess.”
“A royal traveling private investigator, huh?”
“Lengthy title, but yes.”
“Hm, how do you feel about ‘Detective Prince’?”
“Oh? Already giving me a nickname when I don’t even know yours?”
The darker-haired of the two smiled.
“Kurusu. Akira Kurusu.”
Kurusu holds out his hand.
Akechi shakes it, probably a bit more firmly than necessary.
“So, Kurusu, what’s a young man like you working here?”
“Ah, it’s a long story.”
“I have time.” Akechi most certainly did not have time. In fact, the only reason he originally came into the tavern was in hopes he would find someone willing to hire him for a job. He should be leaving as soon as possible and finding work someplace else. Yet, Kurusu seemed...different. Something about him made it feel as though he was someone that was actually worth the time of day. A true..rival. He appeared to contain the same competitiveness and intelligence as the wizard. Someone who would offer a true challenge to Akechi.
Kurusu sighed. “To simplify, I ran into some issues with the law back in my hometown. I got sent here on probation and am under the temporary custody of the barkeeper that owns this place.”
“So you’re a rogue, huh?”
Kurusu laughs. Akechi sips his coffee. It’s good. He doesn't comment on it.
“Haha, I suppose so. In that case, I suppose I’m a bit of a multi-classer, huh?”
“Oh?”
“I have a decent amount of musical talent.”
“A bard-rogue, don’t hear that every day.”
“An earl traveling detective is equally uncommon.”
“It seems we’ll get along rather well.”
“It seems we will.”
They both smile. It isn’t warm, or friendly. More of a standard pleasantry, similar to bowing before an opponent before charging into a fight full force. Similar to the smiles Akechi has seen his father give during business deals where he’s had to compromise more than he originally expected.
Akechi is going to become a regular at Leblanc.