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LABY - IC INBOX
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[ TEXT - AUDIO - VIDEO - ACTION ]
[He isn't a telenovela for you OMORI!!!]
I wouldn't mind investigating it in my free time, so long as it's all above board.
No traditional criminal activity should be involved. If I may be direct - no theft, assault or murder.
However -
Wouldn't you be more interested in solving one yourself?
I wouldn't mind investigating it in my free time, so long as it's all above board.
No traditional criminal activity should be involved. If I may be direct - no theft, assault or murder.
However -
Wouldn't you be more interested in solving one yourself?
[ Exactly what Maruki feared. The irritation that should rise up is tempered into a sort of resignation to their situation, settling back into the little wooden bench with a heavy sigh. ]
Of course it isn't an ordinary ride. Did you really expect any of them to be?
[ He tips his head back to look up at the starry sky, then leans over to search the water for any clues, before turning back to Akechi. ]
Does it force confessions out of people? That seems apt, considering...
[ A vague gesture. They both know what this sort of ride means back in their reality. ]
Of course it isn't an ordinary ride. Did you really expect any of them to be?
[ He tips his head back to look up at the starry sky, then leans over to search the water for any clues, before turning back to Akechi. ]
Does it force confessions out of people? That seems apt, considering...
[ A vague gesture. They both know what this sort of ride means back in their reality. ]
[ It is just a pumpkin. It's completely harmless. In a fit of boredom he had started experimenting with this and that to see if something would happen, but alas, it did not. It didn't grow teeth and try to bite, it didn't contain a ticking time bomb or fill up with a vicarious substance or cause bad luck, but nothing.
He contents himself with watching someone take their outrage out on it, not to mention no doubt covering their shoes with and getting splattered by pumpkin guts on their clothes. ]
I'm joking, of course. It's just a pumpkin, Akechi-kun.
[ This easy shift into something more reasonable might be expected by now too. ]
You should call people out on their behavior more often. You'll wind up enabling them otherwise, but this is bit of mischief played by the town at best. People do play pranks like that, you know, where they'll leave a certain item for a person to find here and there - everywhere - and stealthily remove it so the victim thinks its following them.
He contents himself with watching someone take their outrage out on it, not to mention no doubt covering their shoes with and getting splattered by pumpkin guts on their clothes. ]
I'm joking, of course. It's just a pumpkin, Akechi-kun.
[ This easy shift into something more reasonable might be expected by now too. ]
You should call people out on their behavior more often. You'll wind up enabling them otherwise, but this is bit of mischief played by the town at best. People do play pranks like that, you know, where they'll leave a certain item for a person to find here and there - everywhere - and stealthily remove it so the victim thinks its following them.
[Pain in the Metaverse is temporary. All wounds heal upon exiting the cognitive world, skills and simple meals able to cure the unthinkable.
Pain in reality isn't temporary. Isn't easily cured. He holds it close. Craves it, now that it's pressed into his gut and a girl was fully dragged into the rot with him.
He doesn't relent - she fights, he holds tight. The turn jostles his body - stomach churning, fire rising through his chest, the whole front of his shirt darkening with a red, spreading without mercy.
It's so goddamn funny that he laughs.
She's strong - his arm ripped back from her neck, unable to strangle any air out of her. It stays, featherlight against her skin, ready to strike when she makes a mistake. The kick will leave a bruise and-
He's alive.Completely alive. Joy as hard to grasp as the edges of red soaking through fabric. He tries anyway.]
I hate you.
[Slow, soft - he kicks her back. Right at the knee, harder and with intent.]
So fight like you want to live.
[It's the truth. It's a lie. If he wanted her dead, Loki could slice through her body with a single, instant strike.]
Or do you really think your shitty little stab will stop someone like me?
Pain in reality isn't temporary. Isn't easily cured. He holds it close. Craves it, now that it's pressed into his gut and a girl was fully dragged into the rot with him.
He doesn't relent - she fights, he holds tight. The turn jostles his body - stomach churning, fire rising through his chest, the whole front of his shirt darkening with a red, spreading without mercy.
It's so goddamn funny that he laughs.
She's strong - his arm ripped back from her neck, unable to strangle any air out of her. It stays, featherlight against her skin, ready to strike when she makes a mistake. The kick will leave a bruise and-
He's alive.
I hate you.
[Slow, soft - he kicks her back. Right at the knee, harder and with intent.]
So fight like you want to live.
[It's the truth. It's a lie. If he wanted her dead, Loki could slice through her body with a single, instant strike.]
Or do you really think your shitty little stab will stop someone like me?
[“I hate you,” and it’s not (just) the kick in the knee that makes her flinch. On the heel of a laugh—it’s familiar, isn’t it? Or—no, that’s not what he said—
[—and he could kill her if he wanted to, and he could have said “yes” and she would have left then and there—
[He didn’t. Doesn’t.
[It’s hard to think, hard to breathe. Sometimes Aubrey doesn’t want to think. Words—words make it hard, and when she moves it doesn’t matter, and what keeps her moving is
…“someone like me”
[And she doesn’t want to kill him.]
[He’s been slashed. Stabbed. Kicked while he’s down. Akechi is her friend and Akechi doesn’t falter and the first time she heard Akechi laugh, really laugh, he was a knight, and she won’t ever forget that; and he may say Aubrey is nobody but he’ll take her hand in the moonlight, guide her to a hallowed ground, and she’ll follow his dance so Akechi is safe
and alive
and what use is breaking reality if he can’t be part of it
[And Aubrey doesn’t want to fight him anymore. Not like this.]
[In an observable reality, it takes seconds. Breaths. Aubrey’s expression has been wound tight in pain; it falters as his words seep in, twisting through muscle and bone and heart. It affects her. She gives up, and—
—grabs the knife, yanks it with abrupt force; whether it’s dislodged or not, her hand is there after and presses hard against the wound
[and the other arches over his back and pulls tight, trying to keep him still
[and she will stay in that embrace if it kills her, if he chokes her, because she wants to heal him. He’ll feel it, if it works.
[“Someone like me.” Whatever Akechi may be.
[Aubrey loves him.]
Not quite. As a tip, please keep your hands to yourself. Don't touch me, even on accident. I'll do the same.
[It's worse, but-
Nothing to be concerned over. Months spent together in close quarters, entangled in blood, clashing with weapons have made this an annoying affair more than a troubling one.
It gets dark. His image slips in full with the audience behind them disappearing against the tunnel's edge. Annoyance creeps onto his features, then resignation. It's whatever.]
I suggest you start talking. Any topic will do.
[It's worse, but-
Nothing to be concerned over. Months spent together in close quarters, entangled in blood, clashing with weapons have made this an annoying affair more than a troubling one.
It gets dark. His image slips in full with the audience behind them disappearing against the tunnel's edge. Annoyance creeps onto his features, then resignation. It's whatever.]
I suggest you start talking. Any topic will do.
[He wins
The battle isn't over. It starts anew in a manner he isn't expecting. She pulls him
A gesture mimicking care - a blade about to be dug into his back. It would be funny. So funny. She squeezes him tight and he pushes against her - arms, legs, body entirely. To push over, to shove, to tear at her skin because trapping him is a goddamn mistake if she didn't plan to end it.
It doesn't end. It doesn't end. He wants it to end.
It can't ever end.
He'll never let it end. And she won't either.
It spreads through his gut - warmth that mimics comfort. A mockery of mercy. He can't stand her - says as much with every vile word that falls from his mouth, hand gripping neck, scraping at her face, to do anything to escape.
It's worse than a blade and so -
He responds in kind because she doesn't move. Doesn't stop. A wound healing under her touch, no matter how much he tears at her. Strength rivaling his - years of suffering, unshakeable will, a resolve steadfast.
She attacks and he responds.]
until he doesn't.
And it's a warning - the fire in his gut from a blade torn out of his body through clenched teeth cut on rot. He isn't weak, but he's hurt and it's not the Metaverse. A stab is a stab. Organ and intestines punctured. Dizzying. Adrenaline keeps him going. Everything keeps him going. The thrill of battle keeps him going.The battle isn't over. It starts anew in a manner he isn't expecting. She pulls him
close.
And he hates it.A gesture mimicking care - a blade about to be dug into his back. It would be funny. So funny. She squeezes him tight and he pushes against her - arms, legs, body entirely. To push over, to shove, to tear at her skin because trapping him is a goddamn mistake if she didn't plan to end it.
It doesn't end.
It never ends.
It can't ever end.
He'll never let it end.
It spreads through his gut - warmth that mimics comfort. A mockery of mercy. He can't stand her - says as much with every vile word that falls from his mouth, hand gripping neck, scraping at her face, to do anything to escape.
It's worse than a blade and so -
He responds in kind because she doesn't move. Doesn't stop. A wound healing under her touch, no matter how much he tears at her. Strength rivaling his - years of suffering, unshakeable will, a resolve steadfast.
She attacks and he responds.]
[He'll kill her. He'll kill her.
Loki burns - bright, brilliant and with a force that shoves back against the sickening warmth of a heal. It doesn't keep it from sealing flesh against his torso. ]
You're dumber than I thought. What an achievement.
[There's a warning in the blue flames that wrap around his body - less so, in its shift to a red tower spiraling up to the sky as Loki is summoned with a bitter, resounding 'Manifest, Loki!' that falls from his lips. ]
What the hell are you thinking?
It would be so easy to kill her.
And Loki churns in his gut, Robin Hood forced to the side. Forced away. Forced back despite the care shown pulling, tugging, ushering it out and-Loki burns - bright, brilliant and with a force that shoves back against the sickening warmth of a heal. It doesn't keep it from sealing flesh against his torso. ]
You're dumber than I thought. What an achievement.
[There's a warning in the blue flames that wrap around his body - less so, in its shift to a red tower spiraling up to the sky as Loki is summoned with a bitter, resounding 'Manifest, Loki!' that falls from his lips. ]
What the hell are you thinking?
You make me sound like a pushover, Dazai-san. I'm not unaccustomed to calling people out, but this is only a playful gesture, isn't it?
[A hint of disdain covered up with a veneer of kindness. A small laugh. It's all cute. It's fun. It's funny. That's what a prince should think.]
I wouldn't be fooled by such a prank. Very rarely am I bothered by anything.
[A hint of disdain covered up with a veneer of kindness. A small laugh. It's all cute. It's fun. It's funny. That's what a prince should think.]
I wouldn't be fooled by such a prank. Very rarely am I bothered by anything.
[ Well... There is more that he has to say on that, but he'll put it on hold for just a moment now. Just a moment, because coffee does grow bitter upon setting. ]
... You really are too kind, Akechi-kun. Were you able to bring Maruki-san's coffee? I have been eager to try it.
... You really are too kind, Akechi-kun. Were you able to bring Maruki-san's coffee? I have been eager to try it.
[ Maruki scoots farther on the bench to put a little more distance between them and glances sidelong at him, brows furrowed. He wasn't planning on touching Akechi, but now that he's been told not to, his curiosity is piqued. He does have to wonder how Akechi came to learn that particular piece of information, and with whom, but–
Actually, sometimes it's better to not ask.
Talking is easy. He can do that. ]
I have to wonder how literally to take "your wish has been heard." Could this have been one individual's wish at the crystal, or is it more of a general statement about the populace's wish for bread and circuses. Or bread and carnivals as the case may be, hah!
[ Maruki's persistent chatter fills the air between them, but it doesn't stop the whispers from reaching his own ears.
I want you to live.
I want you to live.
He blinks into the darkness of the ride.
It isn't immediately apparent to him, exactly whose will he's hearing. ]
Actually, sometimes it's better to not ask.
Talking is easy. He can do that. ]
I have to wonder how literally to take "your wish has been heard." Could this have been one individual's wish at the crystal, or is it more of a general statement about the populace's wish for bread and circuses. Or bread and carnivals as the case may be, hah!
[ Maruki's persistent chatter fills the air between them, but it doesn't stop the whispers from reaching his own ears.
I want you to live.
I want you to live.
He blinks into the darkness of the ride.
It isn't immediately apparent to him, exactly whose will he's hearing. ]
[I want you to live. I want you to live.
His body goes rigid. Still. Breathing. He's alive. Maruki's talking. This isn't how this is supposed to go.
This isn't what happened before. Akechi wants to rip Maruki apart, until nothing remains. Wants to save him. Wants to keep him away from A̴̖̦̯̞͓̿͆̈́̋̐͒̊͋̽̌͘k̷̻͔͉͎͇̰̦͚̈́̔̔̈̏͐ë̵̢̱̩̬̟̙́̆̽̉̈́c̴͕̞͕̓͛͗͛h̸̨̛̥̘̤͙͖̼̟̳̣̑͐̆͊̈́͗̃̾́̈́i̵̢̱̯̥͈̍͗̄̈́̾̅͘̚. From Tokyo. From Shido. Wants to see him drown in rot created from his own hands. Wants him to rise above it with his own will.
I want you to live.I want you to live. I want to live and I don't care if I live and revenge against Maruki, against Shido, for his mom, for Akechi who can't stand the thought of living, wants to live, wants to save, wants to kill.
He doesn't move. Doesn't blink. Doesn't tear his eyes away from the distant pinprick of light that shows an end to this shit. Can't stand the thoughts in his skull, against the walls, echoing through mind and soul. It's his. It's Maruki's. They're not close. They were never close. They're too close.
He can't deny they're close.]
I hate you.
[Make it clear. Resounding confidence. Stated as always, as ever. He hates Maruki Takuto. Will say it again and again in a tunnel that echoes protection and salvation.]
This shit is getting old.
I want you to live.
His body goes rigid. Still. Breathing. He's alive. Maruki's talking. This isn't how this is supposed to go.
This isn't what happened before. Akechi wants to rip Maruki apart, until nothing remains. Wants to save him. Wants to keep him away from A̴̖̦̯̞͓̿͆̈́̋̐͒̊͋̽̌͘k̷̻͔͉͎͇̰̦͚̈́̔̔̈̏͐ë̵̢̱̩̬̟̙́̆̽̉̈́c̴͕̞͕̓͛͗͛h̸̨̛̥̘̤͙͖̼̟̳̣̑͐̆͊̈́͗̃̾́̈́i̵̢̱̯̥͈̍͗̄̈́̾̅͘̚. From Tokyo. From Shido. Wants to see him drown in rot created from his own hands. Wants him to rise above it with his own will.
I want you to live.
I want you to live.
He doesn't move. Doesn't blink. Doesn't tear his eyes away from the distant pinprick of light that shows an end to this shit. Can't stand the thoughts in his skull, against the walls, echoing through mind and soul. It's his. It's Maruki's. They're not close. They were never close. They're too close.
He can't deny they're close.]
I hate you.
[Make it clear. Resounding confidence. Stated as always, as ever. He hates Maruki Takuto. Will say it again and again in a tunnel that echoes protection and salvation.]
This shit is getting old.
I did. I think you'll enjoy it. He outdid himself today.
[Whatever. A little shitty compliment towards someone makes him look appreciative. The satchel slides down from his back to rest on the ground and Akechi kneels to unpack it. There's nowhere else to do this. It almost feels like camping.
He didn't tell Maruki he was taking it, but it doesn't matter. They drink it throughout the day anyway. His ass can make another pot.
No bugs. No wind. It's safe to disperse, so he pours the scalding hot coffee into two thin ceramic cups.]
It's quite warm. Please be cautious and make sure you don't burn yourself.
[Whatever. A little shitty compliment towards someone makes him look appreciative. The satchel slides down from his back to rest on the ground and Akechi kneels to unpack it. There's nowhere else to do this. It almost feels like camping.
He didn't tell Maruki he was taking it, but it doesn't matter. They drink it throughout the day anyway. His ass can make another pot.
No bugs. No wind. It's safe to disperse, so he pours the scalding hot coffee into two thin ceramic cups.]
It's quite warm. Please be cautious and make sure you don't burn yourself.
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