![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
LABY - IC INBOX
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
No. And I won't even make a joke using chatspeak about that.
[ Which is how you know it's real shit.
Calmly, so very calmly, Maruki pulls the cognitive psience and investigative journals out of his satchel before hanging it up near the door. Shoes off. No jacket, it's too goddamn hot. He hates summer. If they're here in the winter, he's wishing for an onsen to appear and then killing off whatever yuzu-scented krakens invade Somnius as a consequence himself.
Breathe.
He can't even make himself sit on either couch. He stands a few feet away from them, arms crossed, and smiles plainly at Akechi. ]
You remember the photo that Aubrey received, right? Supposedly of Vaeros, although I think we've already agreed that's highly unlikely at best.
[ Which is how you know it's real shit.
Calmly, so very calmly, Maruki pulls the cognitive psience and investigative journals out of his satchel before hanging it up near the door. Shoes off. No jacket, it's too goddamn hot. He hates summer. If they're here in the winter, he's wishing for an onsen to appear and then killing off whatever yuzu-scented krakens invade Somnius as a consequence himself.
Breathe.
He can't even make himself sit on either couch. He stands a few feet away from them, arms crossed, and smiles plainly at Akechi. ]
You remember the photo that Aubrey received, right? Supposedly of Vaeros, although I think we've already agreed that's highly unlikely at best.
[Oh he is watching - this is odd.
Or maybe it only feels odd because he doesn't know what incited it, instead of being the aggressor. It's-
Funny, almost, to witness it from this perspective.
The comment narrows down the 'friends' in question - Aubrey for certain. Potentially love interest one) Eren or two) whatever the fuck Sunny is and Maruki has mistaken that as being Akechi's 'friend' by proxy. ]
Yes, I recall - get to the point.
Or maybe it only feels odd because he doesn't know what incited it, instead of being the aggressor. It's-
Funny, almost, to witness it from this perspective.
The comment narrows down the 'friends' in question - Aubrey for certain. Potentially love interest one) Eren or two) whatever the fuck Sunny is and Maruki has mistaken that as being Akechi's 'friend' by proxy. ]
Yes, I recall - get to the point.
Gladly.
[ His tone is so, so even. As even as 2, 4, 6, 8. ]
They visited me to discuss their journey into the Labyrinth, and I asked them to please bring along that photo so I could take a look for myself. Whether or not it's of Vaeros, it's a piece of evidence, as far as I'm concerned. However–
[ Ope! 3, 5, 7, 9! Not even! Lilting a little too acidic! ]
Aubrey destroyed the photo, apparently, almost immediately. Can you imagine?
[ His tone is so, so even. As even as 2, 4, 6, 8. ]
They visited me to discuss their journey into the Labyrinth, and I asked them to please bring along that photo so I could take a look for myself. Whether or not it's of Vaeros, it's a piece of evidence, as far as I'm concerned. However–
[ Ope! 3, 5, 7, 9! Not even! Lilting a little too acidic! ]
Aubrey destroyed the photo, apparently, almost immediately. Can you imagine?
[Oh. Okay.
No, okay. Fair enough - Akechi threw a codpiece into the ocean, but kept the pants. Aubrey destroyed the singular piece of evidence they have on the identity of someone holding them captive in a shitty rural countryside that came straight out of B-Movie setup.
Excellent.
His eyes? Shut. Brows? Twisted. OKAY.]
No, okay. Fair enough - Akechi threw a codpiece into the ocean, but kept the pants. Aubrey destroyed the singular piece of evidence they have on the identity of someone holding them captive in a shitty rural countryside that came straight out of B-Movie setup.
Excellent.
His eyes? Shut. Brows? Twisted. OKAY.]
[He's EXHAUSTED.
Exhausted!!!!
If it were Eren, Akechi would have asked for the photo immediately. Aubrey? He didn't expect it. Figured she would hold onto it like the other stupid, sentimental shit she keeps.
There's a gigantic goddamn stuffed animal in her home, but no - a valuable photo is what gets put in the Goodwill Bin.
Eyes shut again. Okay]
Okay.
Exhausted!!!!
If it were Eren, Akechi would have asked for the photo immediately. Aubrey? He didn't expect it. Figured she would hold onto it like the other stupid, sentimental shit she keeps.
There's a gigantic goddamn stuffed animal in her home, but no - a valuable photo is what gets put in the Goodwill Bin.
Eyes shut again. Okay]
Okay.
[No more couch slouching. Tragedia. Body pushed up, full attention on this New Shit happening. At least it gives his brain some activity in the interim time between shit hitting the fan.]
How did she do it? There may be something salvageable in the remains.
How did she do it? There may be something salvageable in the remains.
[ HE'S EXHAUSTED TOO, KING!
At the visible frustration over Akechi's features, as well as that minor conniption with his phone, Maruki's tensely held forced pleasantness relaxes as well. Shoulders down and back. Head tipped to one side to stretch out his neck, eyes closed, tone lowered as he sighs the answer. ]
There isn't. It was painted over, and she no longer has it.
At the visible frustration over Akechi's features, as well as that minor conniption with his phone, Maruki's tensely held forced pleasantness relaxes as well. Shoulders down and back. Head tipped to one side to stretch out his neck, eyes closed, tone lowered as he sighs the answer. ]
There isn't. It was painted over, and she no longer has it.
[OKAY.]
I see.
[He sees!]
Wonderful.
[Fantastic, even!]
While I can't blame her for expressing her contempt in such a way, she needs to keep a better handle on her anger. Perhaps you could get her to go to a counseling session to deal with her mindless rage.
I see.
[He sees!]
Wonderful.
[Fantastic, even!]
While I can't blame her for expressing her contempt in such a way, she needs to keep a better handle on her anger. Perhaps you could get her to go to a counseling session to deal with her mindless rage.
I think you and I both know that wouldn't work.
[ That rage, when directed appropriately, is a tool. But the kneejerk reactions– those are a problem.
Head tipped to the other side. Biiiiiig stretch. ]
Don't worry. She assured me that it wasn't supernatural in nature, so it was fine to destroy. I didn't bother pointing out that she had no way to verify the nature of the item at all. I had to pick my battles.
[ That rage, when directed appropriately, is a tool. But the kneejerk reactions– those are a problem.
Head tipped to the other side. Biiiiiig stretch. ]
Don't worry. She assured me that it wasn't supernatural in nature, so it was fine to destroy. I didn't bother pointing out that she had no way to verify the nature of the item at all. I had to pick my battles.
The item received after making a wish at a gigantic crystal ball at the center of a town ruled by someone holed up in an ivory tower, who brings us our requests through unknown means? That item isn't supernatural, she claimed?
[Right. Of course.
He moves his legs off the couch - sits up to give Maruki space if he wants to enjoy a nice Big Sit.]
There's no sense in dwelling on it - that won't bring it back. The next time anyone gets an item like that, we can make efforts to secure it appropriately.
[Right. Of course.
He moves his legs off the couch - sits up to give Maruki space if he wants to enjoy a nice Big Sit.]
There's no sense in dwelling on it - that won't bring it back. The next time anyone gets an item like that, we can make efforts to secure it appropriately.
[ At the questions, Maruki opens his eyes, wide behind his glasses with his brows raised – not in shock or surprise, but in an expression of I know, right? Can you believe this shit?
He unfolds his arms to hold both hands out in front of him, palms up. A silent gesture of See? You get it.
And then his hands slap down against his sides as he drops his arms and does indeed join Akechi for a Big Sit. ]
I did suggest that she try making the same wish again to see what results it produces. I don't have much hope, but she agreed to give me the photo if she receives another one. But yes, going forward, we ought to do that. Or at the very least, teach people how to properly handle evidence.
[ Lil side eye. Detective. ]
He unfolds his arms to hold both hands out in front of him, palms up. A silent gesture of See? You get it.
And then his hands slap down against his sides as he drops his arms and does indeed join Akechi for a Big Sit. ]
I did suggest that she try making the same wish again to see what results it produces. I don't have much hope, but she agreed to give me the photo if she receives another one. But yes, going forward, we ought to do that. Or at the very least, teach people how to properly handle evidence.
[ Lil side eye. Detective. ]
[Solidarity, my dude. For once, they're 100% on the same page - brought together by a deviant teenager with a chip on her shoulder.
Oh Aubrey.
He slouches forward and refuses to meet Maruki's eyes at last comment.]
I'm not suited for teaching. I've told you this, however-
[This cannot happen again. The odds of them getting a second picture is minimal. The ratios skew worse the more he thinks about it - a complete duplicate out of the question. Copies bring their own set of problems.]
This is a special situation and once I get my thoughts sorted on the matter, I'll provide instruction to some.
[Aubrey. Eren. Izutsumi, maybe.
A long pause. He still doesn't meet Maruki's gaze and-]
For the record, I also have a piece of potential evidence in my room. I got it the first week or so I arrived here.
[The second piece? Lost to the fuckin ocean. Maruki doesn't need to know that.]
I told Aubrey I lost it.
Oh Aubrey.
He slouches forward and refuses to meet Maruki's eyes at last comment.]
I'm not suited for teaching. I've told you this, however-
[This cannot happen again. The odds of them getting a second picture is minimal. The ratios skew worse the more he thinks about it - a complete duplicate out of the question. Copies bring their own set of problems.]
This is a special situation and once I get my thoughts sorted on the matter, I'll provide instruction to some.
[Aubrey. Eren. Izutsumi, maybe.
A long pause. He still doesn't meet Maruki's gaze and-]
For the record, I also have a piece of potential evidence in my room. I got it the first week or so I arrived here.
[The second piece? Lost to the fuckin ocean. Maruki doesn't need to know that.]
I told Aubrey I lost it.
And I've told you that I think you're a fairly good teacher. I stand by that.
[ He really does. Even when Akechi isn't faking nice, he's clear in his instructions and skilled at observing what a person needs to work on. Maruki has trained enough with him to know this very well. He's even strangely encouraging, if someone truly puts in the work.
Of course, a lecture on proper evidence handling is different than that, but the point stands. It needed to be said. But more importantly– ]
Also– Is that so?
[ It's fine. He mirrors Akechi in the opposite direction, slouching back into the plush cushions, no less irritated by the day's events but relaxed and curious. ]
Did you get it from making a wish too?
[ He really does. Even when Akechi isn't faking nice, he's clear in his instructions and skilled at observing what a person needs to work on. Maruki has trained enough with him to know this very well. He's even strangely encouraging, if someone truly puts in the work.
Of course, a lecture on proper evidence handling is different than that, but the point stands. It needed to be said. But more importantly– ]
Also– Is that so?
[ It's fine. He mirrors Akechi in the opposite direction, slouching back into the plush cushions, no less irritated by the day's events but relaxed and curious. ]
Did you get it from making a wish too?
[Akechi brushes off the encouragement with a small exhale. Incredible this is what his life has come to.
But now -
He has to explain the pants.]
I did my own experiment when I arrived. I asked the crystal for information on Vaeros, given no one else had attempted to do so to my knowledge. Naturally, I was expecting nothing. It was to check off a box, so to speak.
[BUT HE GOT SOMETHING. THREE SOMETHINGS.]
However - I received a pair of pants and hand drawn picture directing me to the library.
[Picture? Long gone. Codpiece? Dead to him. Pants? Nearly given to Li Lianhua's dog, before Akechi decided to add him to his metaphorical Loathe List.]
The implication being that the pants belonged to him.
But now -
He has to explain the pants.]
I did my own experiment when I arrived. I asked the crystal for information on Vaeros, given no one else had attempted to do so to my knowledge. Naturally, I was expecting nothing. It was to check off a box, so to speak.
[BUT HE GOT SOMETHING. THREE SOMETHINGS.]
However - I received a pair of pants and hand drawn picture directing me to the library.
[Picture? Long gone. Codpiece? Dead to him. Pants? Nearly given to Li Lianhua's dog, before Akechi decided to add him to his metaphorical Loathe List.]
The implication being that the pants belonged to him.
[Yaldy daddy truly put a curse on him.
Akechi throws up an irritated hand in a dramatic display of displeasure, before leaning back against the couch.]
Nothing about either situation has bothered me. Lucky or not, the fact is we are receiving items from those in control. Given how ridiculous they are, it's obvious we're being toyed with. That is the maddening part.
Akechi throws up an irritated hand in a dramatic display of displeasure, before leaning back against the couch.]
Nothing about either situation has bothered me. Lucky or not, the fact is we are receiving items from those in control. Given how ridiculous they are, it's obvious we're being toyed with. That is the maddening part.
No, but we can assume others have. Aubrey received a token at random. I got one simply by asking. Whether those who received items are still in this reality or not is another story.
[Or they are and don't have a clue what to do with it. Don't trust others to handle it. There are plenty of reasons Akechi hasn't shown his items, even to his confidants. Others might follow the same line of thought.]
Providing a photo is bold, and something I doubt anyone else has gotten. These people don't shut up - word would have spread, intentional or not, had someone gotten something of that nature prior to now.
[Or they are and don't have a clue what to do with it. Don't trust others to handle it. There are plenty of reasons Akechi hasn't shown his items, even to his confidants. Others might follow the same line of thought.]
Providing a photo is bold, and something I doubt anyone else has gotten. These people don't shut up - word would have spread, intentional or not, had someone gotten something of that nature prior to now.
That's true. About people not shutting up.
[ A lengthy silence. It weighs on him, how loose-lipped almost everyone here is. Not even for reasons of his own self-preservation anymore. Just general frustration over how careless many seem to be in both words and actions. He's grateful for Akechi in this matter above all others. ]
Who would you say that you trust here? If anyone. And that's any degree of trust you feel worth mentioning, not necessarily total trust.
[ It isn't a leading question. It's a genuine curiosity, and a tired one. ]
[ A lengthy silence. It weighs on him, how loose-lipped almost everyone here is. Not even for reasons of his own self-preservation anymore. Just general frustration over how careless many seem to be in both words and actions. He's grateful for Akechi in this matter above all others. ]
Who would you say that you trust here? If anyone. And that's any degree of trust you feel worth mentioning, not necessarily total trust.
[ It isn't a leading question. It's a genuine curiosity, and a tired one. ]
Trust is an interesting concept.
[That's a question. Pure, unadulterated reliance at any level is impossible. To be self-sufficient, survive and achieve goals - everyone needs to put their interests first.
His head tilts up to eye the stone ceiling.]
Did you know there's still a philosophical debate over the true meaning of what trust is and the extent society needs it? Socrates considered trust power in the soul, compliance given to a deity freely. Aristotle discussed it in matters of political gain, and in that sense, you could consider it the ability to deceive. Others think it's about reliance, optimism, entitlement to give and receive, as well as obligation to return and provide. Not to mention the acceptance of betrayal. Of consequences. Freedom sought in the lives of those around you.
[He can't help to think about the destroyed photo resting somewhere in Somnius. The network image isn't enough.
Irritating.]
Because it's complicated, I cannot say I trust anyone, even if it's fascinating to consider. I would highly suggest you take an opportunity to go over such a thought exercise. However-
[There are a few people he can consider reliable with aligning goals or have the potential to be exploited in his favor.]
If you were to ask me the people I have some degree of confidence in, that list is small and has its own set of caveats.
[Arms cross over his chest, one leg rests on the other and his eyes move down to be level with the table in front of them.
Aubrey. Eren. Izutsumi. Venat, for her pragmatic tendencies. Maki, strangely, because he predict her volatile reactions and exploit it accordingly and-
He turns his gaze to Maruki and-
That man is beyond his caveat filled list.
Something else entirely.]
But that's private information. If you think you're on that short list, you're not.
[That's a question. Pure, unadulterated reliance at any level is impossible. To be self-sufficient, survive and achieve goals - everyone needs to put their interests first.
His head tilts up to eye the stone ceiling.]
Did you know there's still a philosophical debate over the true meaning of what trust is and the extent society needs it? Socrates considered trust power in the soul, compliance given to a deity freely. Aristotle discussed it in matters of political gain, and in that sense, you could consider it the ability to deceive. Others think it's about reliance, optimism, entitlement to give and receive, as well as obligation to return and provide. Not to mention the acceptance of betrayal. Of consequences. Freedom sought in the lives of those around you.
[He can't help to think about the destroyed photo resting somewhere in Somnius. The network image isn't enough.
Irritating.]
Because it's complicated, I cannot say I trust anyone, even if it's fascinating to consider. I would highly suggest you take an opportunity to go over such a thought exercise. However-
[There are a few people he can consider reliable with aligning goals or have the potential to be exploited in his favor.]
If you were to ask me the people I have some degree of confidence in, that list is small and has its own set of caveats.
[Arms cross over his chest, one leg rests on the other and his eyes move down to be level with the table in front of them.
Aubrey. Eren. Izutsumi. Venat, for her pragmatic tendencies. Maki, strangely, because he predict her volatile reactions and exploit it accordingly and-
He turns his gaze to Maruki and-
That man is beyond his caveat filled list.
Something else entirely.]
But that's private information. If you think you're on that short list, you're not.
[ To be fair, it wasn't a simple question to begin with, but the answer it begets is uniquely complex.
Uniquely Akechi.
Nothing is ever easy with him. No thoughts are ever shallow, and no depths are ever unexplored. It's at least half of why Maruki took a liking to him so immediately. There is nothing less appealing to him than a literal thinker, or a surface-level one.
And then there's what he's sure is meant to be a dig at the end: Maruki, not on his list of people who have proven themselves worthy of a certain level of his confidence.
Maruki only smiles at him, warm and wide. ]
Don't worry. I know I'm not on that list.
[ They are going to carry one another through the twisted, shattered halls of this reality until they can emerge in the place and time that they were never supposed to leave – had to leave, to find one another. And they will remember. They've sworn to remember.
Of course Akechi trusts him. Maruki wasn't asking the question to hear his own name, or any other sort of confirmation. He already knows. ]
Jung had a spiritual relationship with trust that I've always found interesting. He asserted that rather than just thought or prayer, experience was the only way to build trust in god, and that the original word for "trust" in the Bible was mistranslated as "belief." I'm not religious in any way, but I think that same principle can be applied outside of its original context. I can only trust what I can experience directly, and I can only build trust in others by experiencing them fully.
[ He tips his head to the side, thoughtful. ]
I had an interesting conversation with BB recently about the nature of love and hate. She can only love humanity because she hates it just as much. I agreed with her – you can't know someone fully without knowing their flaws, and you certainly can't love someone without knowing enough to hate them too.
[ A pause, and then he shrugs. ]
It all ties together, for me.
[ Of course the person he trusts most is the one who has said and done the worst things imaginable to him. ]
Then again, I also have to come at it from the perspective of a counselor who inherently has to help others build up their trust in me. It can be a tool, like anything else. But it is a good thought exercise, you're right.
Uniquely Akechi.
Nothing is ever easy with him. No thoughts are ever shallow, and no depths are ever unexplored. It's at least half of why Maruki took a liking to him so immediately. There is nothing less appealing to him than a literal thinker, or a surface-level one.
And then there's what he's sure is meant to be a dig at the end: Maruki, not on his list of people who have proven themselves worthy of a certain level of his confidence.
Maruki only smiles at him, warm and wide. ]
Don't worry. I know I'm not on that list.
[ They are going to carry one another through the twisted, shattered halls of this reality until they can emerge in the place and time that they were never supposed to leave – had to leave, to find one another. And they will remember. They've sworn to remember.
Of course Akechi trusts him. Maruki wasn't asking the question to hear his own name, or any other sort of confirmation. He already knows. ]
Jung had a spiritual relationship with trust that I've always found interesting. He asserted that rather than just thought or prayer, experience was the only way to build trust in god, and that the original word for "trust" in the Bible was mistranslated as "belief." I'm not religious in any way, but I think that same principle can be applied outside of its original context. I can only trust what I can experience directly, and I can only build trust in others by experiencing them fully.
[ He tips his head to the side, thoughtful. ]
I had an interesting conversation with BB recently about the nature of love and hate. She can only love humanity because she hates it just as much. I agreed with her – you can't know someone fully without knowing their flaws, and you certainly can't love someone without knowing enough to hate them too.
[ A pause, and then he shrugs. ]
It all ties together, for me.
[ Of course the person he trusts most is the one who has said and done the worst things imaginable to him. ]
Then again, I also have to come at it from the perspective of a counselor who inherently has to help others build up their trust in me. It can be a tool, like anything else. But it is a good thought exercise, you're right.
Page 38 of 119
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- »
Page 38 of 119