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LABY - IC INBOX
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[ His mouth twists unhappily at that last assertion. ]
Sentient on its own is a stretch. Azathoth can't exist without me.
[ ... Probably? ]
It doesn't act without my will.
[ ....... Well. Sometimes it knows his will better than he does, but. ]
It just– communicates. In a way. You truly never feel a response from either of them when something happens to you?
Sentient on its own is a stretch. Azathoth can't exist without me.
[ ... Probably? ]
It doesn't act without my will.
[ ....... Well. Sometimes it knows his will better than he does, but. ]
It just– communicates. In a way. You truly never feel a response from either of them when something happens to you?
[Akechi does respect Maruki enough to entertain the notion again - it's not as if he's ever made an attempt to communicate with his own spirit like that.
So he does - tries to feel what Loki does.
It's the same as always - standing on a cliff's edge. I am thou, thou art I - intertwined emotions and sensations. Loki craves destruction because Akechi craves it. No separate will to be found.
With a wave of his hand, a name called, Loki vanishes and Robin Hood takes its place.
Akechi hates it. Makes a three second attempt. Switches back to Loki with a single call.]
Attack me.
So he does - tries to feel what Loki does.
It's the same as always - standing on a cliff's edge. I am thou, thou art I - intertwined emotions and sensations. Loki craves destruction because Akechi craves it. No separate will to be found.
With a wave of his hand, a name called, Loki vanishes and Robin Hood takes its place.
Akechi hates it. Makes a three second attempt. Switches back to Loki with a single call.]
Attack me.
[ With all the exasperation his beleaguered middle aged body can hold: ]
The tentacles don't attack. You know this.
[ Ugh. Memory Blow is the weakest attack in its arsenal, good for a quick stunlock, but it runs the risk of turning Akechi too forgetful for this to be of any use. Most everything else would simply wreak massive destruction in such a small space. There is one that's a more concentrated attack without any explosive effects, but it's...
Eh.
Fine.
Piercing Strike it is.
Maruki hates this. ]
The tentacles don't attack. You know this.
[ Ugh. Memory Blow is the weakest attack in its arsenal, good for a quick stunlock, but it runs the risk of turning Akechi too forgetful for this to be of any use. Most everything else would simply wreak massive destruction in such a small space. There is one that's a more concentrated attack without any explosive effects, but it's...
Eh.
Fine.
Piercing Strike it is.
Maruki hates this. ]
Edited 2024-08-01 20:41 (UTC)
You stupid–
[ And just like that, Azathoth shifts seamlessly into aggro mode. Akechi isn't an ally, and they aren't training or performing an experiment.
Maruki backs away from the blast – not an easy feat in an office this small – and watches as the Tentacle of Healing crumples to the ground. Predictable. Irritating.
He grits his teeth, all of his will focused on Azathoth not retaliating, and rounds on Akechi. ]
If that's going to be your last attack, end this. If it's not, we're going outside.
[ And just like that, Azathoth shifts seamlessly into aggro mode. Akechi isn't an ally, and they aren't training or performing an experiment.
Maruki backs away from the blast – not an easy feat in an office this small – and watches as the Tentacle of Healing crumples to the ground. Predictable. Irritating.
He grits his teeth, all of his will focused on Azathoth not retaliating, and rounds on Akechi. ]
If that's going to be your last attack, end this. If it's not, we're going outside.
[ Oh, Akechi is such a little shit. ]
The outcome would either be dragging you outside to beat you down in front of every dreamer idiotic enough to be out here, or destroying my office. You can guess my preference.
[ ... eh.
He folds his arms over his chest, eyes still on Loki, mind still holding Azathoth back. ]
What was the result of your test, then?
The outcome would either be dragging you outside to beat you down in front of every dreamer idiotic enough to be out here, or destroying my office. You can guess my preference.
[ ... eh.
He folds his arms over his chest, eyes still on Loki, mind still holding Azathoth back. ]
What was the result of your test, then?
And showcase your little secret to the world at large? Reveal to stranger and friend alike that you aren't a simple, normal man from Tokyo?
[Please - drag him outside. Akechi-
Loki -
Want to see.
He refrains anyway. A riot gun held back with the thinnest, fraying wire.]
But to your question - it was inconclusive.
[Conclusive, actually, in that he couldn't pick up on anything weird happening between them before or after Akechi attacked. Not that his instincts are anywhere near Futaba or Morgana's level.]
What a shame. Perhaps the element of surprise is what's needed for a more reliable result. I'll test it again another time.
[Please - drag him outside. Akechi-
Loki -
Want to see.
He refrains anyway. A riot gun held back with the thinnest, fraying wire.]
But to your question - it was inconclusive.
[Conclusive, actually, in that he couldn't pick up on anything weird happening between them before or after Akechi attacked. Not that his instincts are anywhere near Futaba or Morgana's level.]
What a shame. Perhaps the element of surprise is what's needed for a more reliable result. I'll test it again another time.
[ He would. In a heartbeat.
... In several heartbeats. If push came to shove, he might choose to sacrifice the office over his own privacy. Guess he wouldn't know unless it happened.
Maruki doesn't recall Azathoth – won't, not until Akechi does the same with Loki – but relaxes his stance, bit by bit. ]
If it helps for next time, whatever form of communication happens between us... happens less during battle. I suppose. It's hard to explain. But you might not get anywhere by provoking attacks.
... In several heartbeats. If push came to shove, he might choose to sacrifice the office over his own privacy. Guess he wouldn't know unless it happened.
Maruki doesn't recall Azathoth – won't, not until Akechi does the same with Loki – but relaxes his stance, bit by bit. ]
If it helps for next time, whatever form of communication happens between us... happens less during battle. I suppose. It's hard to explain. But you might not get anywhere by provoking attacks.
Are you saying it happens in your mind without Azathoth being summoned?
[Loki doesn't relent or move - Akechi doesn't move to dematerialize it.
Continues to regard Azathoth. Maruki. The special 'bond' between them.]
Or that you summon Azathoth just to have some company? I would have thought you had your fill of companionship with those who line up to see you every single day.
[Loki doesn't relent or move - Akechi doesn't move to dematerialize it.
Continues to regard Azathoth. Maruki. The special 'bond' between them.]
Or that you summon Azathoth just to have some company? I would have thought you had your fill of companionship with those who line up to see you every single day.
Oh, hah. You're hilarious, Akechi.
[ Low, deadpan. Maruki is already so tired. But, as a genuine answer– ]
No, I completely meant the former. Whether or not it's summoned, I can feel its responses to things. I don't talk to it, to be clear.
[ He probably would, if Azathoth could still talk back.
A beat, and he sighs. ]
You have to remember that it first manifested as a disembodied voice. The whole thing is odd.
[ Low, deadpan. Maruki is already so tired. But, as a genuine answer– ]
No, I completely meant the former. Whether or not it's summoned, I can feel its responses to things. I don't talk to it, to be clear.
[ He probably would, if Azathoth could still talk back.
A beat, and he sighs. ]
You have to remember that it first manifested as a disembodied voice. The whole thing is odd.
It is. You're likely the first to ever experience this - perhaps the only one who ever will.
[There's a pause. Loki -
Doesn't vanish. Shifts its position. Sword spinning in open palm - bored and waiting.
Akechi leans against the arm of the couch, halfway sitting on it.]
This goes without saying, but I hope you're writing your experience down to reflect on back in our reality. Everything you discover about Azathoth should be noted, no matter how minor it seems.
[There's a pause. Loki -
Doesn't vanish. Shifts its position. Sword spinning in open palm - bored and waiting.
Akechi leans against the arm of the couch, halfway sitting on it.]
This goes without saying, but I hope you're writing your experience down to reflect on back in our reality. Everything you discover about Azathoth should be noted, no matter how minor it seems.
[ Akechi settles, Loki does. One in the same.
Maruki mirrors it, moving back to rest against his desk. Azathoth shifts a few feet away to make room. ]
I have been. If I collated everything I've written into more organized notes, would you be willing to look over them with me? You have the most outside experience with it by a large margin. I'd like your input too.
Maruki mirrors it, moving back to rest against his desk. Azathoth shifts a few feet away to make room. ]
I have been. If I collated everything I've written into more organized notes, would you be willing to look over them with me? You have the most outside experience with it by a large margin. I'd like your input too.
Of course. So long as you keep it to yourself until our agreed upon time. Afterwards, I don't care what you do with the information I provide.
[And in a weird way -
In a strange way -
Leaving a mark on a world that never knew him in the shadow of Maruki own words, his own detailed notes -
Feels like its own bizarre sort of eulogy.]
Don't be disappointed if I have little to add - I'm no Wakaba Isshiki.
[And in a weird way -
In a strange way -
Leaving a mark on a world that never knew him in the shadow of Maruki own words, his own detailed notes -
Feels like its own bizarre sort of eulogy.]
Don't be disappointed if I have little to add - I'm no Wakaba Isshiki.
[ That earns Akechi a curious smile. ]
No, you're not. You know much more about the actual functions of the cognitive world than she did.
[ One hand up, palm out. ]
Not to discredit her work. It was foundational. But I'm not looking for help with the theoretical cognitive psience behind... [ Vague gesture to Azathoth's whole Deal. ] I'm looking for your input based on what you know about personas and the like. There's no one else who can provide that, and even if there were, I wouldn't want to share it with them over you.
[ Simple statement of fact. Akechi has more than earned this trust, and everything he says will be taken into the most genuine consideration. Maruki respects him more highly in this regard than he may realize. ]
And yes. It stays between us, as previously promised.
No, you're not. You know much more about the actual functions of the cognitive world than she did.
[ One hand up, palm out. ]
Not to discredit her work. It was foundational. But I'm not looking for help with the theoretical cognitive psience behind... [ Vague gesture to Azathoth's whole Deal. ] I'm looking for your input based on what you know about personas and the like. There's no one else who can provide that, and even if there were, I wouldn't want to share it with them over you.
[ Simple statement of fact. Akechi has more than earned this trust, and everything he says will be taken into the most genuine consideration. Maruki respects him more highly in this regard than he may realize. ]
And yes. It stays between us, as previously promised.
[That's it, isn't it?
The whole of Maruki Takuto - There's no one else who can provide that, and even if there were, I wouldn't want to share it with them over you.
Blood soaked palms, sleepless nights, vicious verbal onslaughts that last until Akechi's throat is numb and raw, stone to flesh, glass to eye.
Blood soaked palm against his back, late night conversations, vicious verbal onslaughts that he stands and takes and takes, flesh contorted back to life, a note in a pillow, a grounding voice in a bathhouse, an ally in a grotesque distortion.
Persistent. Annoying. A limit will be reached. Akechi can't stop and -
Maruki brought him peace, for a split second, with an arm pressing him down and brilliant colors in what was left of his eyes. Powerful. Strong.
For the first time-
Akechi thinks Maruki will be fine on his own - that a cabal can't stop him and-
He hates him more than ever. More than anything. The swirling, spiraling sensation in his chest a foreign entity to be expelled. Loki vanishes back into his heart to deal with it. Disappears in a swirling blue flame.
The TV station needs him. Fans need him. Shido needs him. The sordid dark undertow of Tokyo needs him. Teachers, reporters, prosecutors and lawyers need him.
Joker didn't need him - stayed in his presence anyway, the short term mockery of a friendship enjoyable.
Maruki doesn't need him, but continues the pursuit of conversation and meetups, check-ins and in depth discussions, not needed. Wanted.
Akechi Goro - wanted and-
He blinks - eyes dry. The windowpane behind Maruki bright from the sun shining in.]
Right. Then I'll certainly do my best to connect the dots where needed. [A hand rests against his chin, eyes falling down to the couch fabric in thought.] I remember some of what those sniveling researchers who work with Shido discussed as well. Perhaps that will be of use too.
The whole of Maruki Takuto - There's no one else who can provide that, and even if there were, I wouldn't want to share it with them over you.
I wouldn't want to share it with them over you.
A man who chooses Akechi Goro despite-Blood soaked palms, sleepless nights, vicious verbal onslaughts that last until Akechi's throat is numb and raw, stone to flesh, glass to eye.
Blood soaked palm against his back, late night conversations, vicious verbal onslaughts that he stands and takes and takes, flesh contorted back to life, a note in a pillow, a grounding voice in a bathhouse, an ally in a grotesque distortion.
Persistent. Annoying. A limit will be reached. Akechi can't stop and -
Maruki brought him peace, for a split second, with an arm pressing him down and brilliant colors in what was left of his eyes. Powerful. Strong.
For the first time-
Akechi thinks Maruki will be fine on his own - that a cabal can't stop him and-
He hates him more than ever. More than anything. The swirling, spiraling sensation in his chest a foreign entity to be expelled. Loki vanishes back into his heart to deal with it. Disappears in a swirling blue flame.
The TV station needs him. Fans need him. Shido needs him. The sordid dark undertow of Tokyo needs him. Teachers, reporters, prosecutors and lawyers need him.
Joker didn't need him - stayed in his presence anyway, the short term mockery of a friendship enjoyable.
Maruki doesn't need him, but continues the pursuit of conversation and meetups, check-ins and in depth discussions, not needed. Wanted.
Akechi Goro - wanted and-
He blinks - eyes dry. The windowpane behind Maruki bright from the sun shining in.]
Right. Then I'll certainly do my best to connect the dots where needed. [A hand rests against his chin, eyes falling down to the couch fabric in thought.] I remember some of what those sniveling researchers who work with Shido discussed as well. Perhaps that will be of use too.
Edited 2024-08-02 00:51 (UTC)
[ With another wave of his hand, Azathoth dissipates as well, only its usual aurora left behind to linger for a few moments in the office. Maruki looks at it until it too disappears, then back to Akechi.
Cosmic lights for him, blue flames for Akechi. He has to wonder what that rival with a plethora of personas would produce. ]
Oh? I'll hear out anything you can remember, of course.
[ A scratch along his jawline. ]
I sometimes wonder if I knew any of them in my previous life.
[ It's plausible. It's also entirely possible Shido handpicked people who weren't involved in the rather niche community by design. It wouldn't matter either way, of course. Just an idle curiosity that pops into his head from time to time.
Maruki checks the clock on the wall, bites the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. ]
I did block out the rest of my afternoon for a serious emergency. You've inadvertently given me half the day off.
[so do you wanna like.... hang out, or........... ]
Cosmic lights for him, blue flames for Akechi. He has to wonder what that rival with a plethora of personas would produce. ]
Oh? I'll hear out anything you can remember, of course.
[ A scratch along his jawline. ]
I sometimes wonder if I knew any of them in my previous life.
[ It's plausible. It's also entirely possible Shido handpicked people who weren't involved in the rather niche community by design. It wouldn't matter either way, of course. Just an idle curiosity that pops into his head from time to time.
Maruki checks the clock on the wall, bites the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. ]
I did block out the rest of my afternoon for a serious emergency. You've inadvertently given me half the day off.
[
Is that so?
[Maruki taking a break will do this world some good - they can't rely on their little savior being propped up on a chair, waiting for them to whine at him forever.
Akechi ignores the fact he said he would be here for a few minutes. A packed schedule. It's a fucking rural town where the biggest event of the year is a tea shop opening - he's got nothing to do. Maruki knows that.]
It's been some time since you visited the bathhouse, hasn't it? I planned to go after this ordeal - you're welcome to join me.
[Maruki taking a break will do this world some good - they can't rely on their little savior being propped up on a chair, waiting for them to whine at him forever.
Akechi ignores the fact he said he would be here for a few minutes. A packed schedule. It's a fucking rural town where the biggest event of the year is a tea shop opening - he's got nothing to do. Maruki knows that.]
It's been some time since you visited the bathhouse, hasn't it? I planned to go after this ordeal - you're welcome to join me.
[ He's packing his satchel even before Akechi's finished the question. ]
Thanks for the invite. Yeah, let's go. I'm not inclined to stick around here any longer than I have to today.
[ Lately it feels a little like the walls are closing in ha ha well it's probably fine. Would be a shame if some real intense shit shook up the world for a couple months, huh? ]
Lead the way, Akechi-senpai.
Thanks for the invite. Yeah, let's go. I'm not inclined to stick around here any longer than I have to today.
[ Lately it feels a little like the walls are closing in ha ha well it's probably fine. Would be a shame if some real intense shit shook up the world for a couple months, huh? ]
Lead the way, Akechi-senpai.
Don't call me that, Maruki-sensei.
[He doesn't bother to contain the annoyance and irritation in his tone as he unlocks the door - an office unscathed, a bizarre box of files untouched, and a well worn path to the bathhouse before them.
Doesn't even BOTHER waiting for a response. He just. Starts walking away.]
[He doesn't bother to contain the annoyance and irritation in his tone as he unlocks the door - an office unscathed, a bizarre box of files untouched, and a well worn path to the bathhouse before them.
Doesn't even BOTHER waiting for a response. He just. Starts walking away.]
[ Hot on the heels of this shit, hello Akechi. Maruki is home from work. A little early, too, it's not quite time to start dinner yet. And he looks so, so pleased. ]
I learned some fascinating information from your friends today.
I learned some fascinating information from your friends today.
[The door opens and Akechi's up in record speed - posture straight, elbow on couch arm to hold open a book in his hand. Sitting proper. Correct. Ever the image of a detective prince and-
Then it's Maruki. Expression-
Odd. The same one Akechi is used to being on the receiving end of seconds before physical altercations in the backyard, being scruffed or some other disaster.
He slouches against the couch - sinks deep into it, book forgotten on his chest. Your friends - this is about to be an annoying goddamn conversation.]
New slang, I presume?
Then it's Maruki. Expression-
Odd. The same one Akechi is used to being on the receiving end of seconds before physical altercations in the backyard, being scruffed or some other disaster.
He slouches against the couch - sinks deep into it, book forgotten on his chest. Your friends - this is about to be an annoying goddamn conversation.]
New slang, I presume?
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