[ The tangible shift in his energy, tone, stance – it's all noted. And a relief, but not a total one. He isn't safe by a long shot, but he's at least bought some time, and some more lucid conversation.
More than Shido behind the scenes– well, Maruki isn't naïve. He could have guessed that. Has guessed that. What does he always tell people here? It's never just one person, especially not a figurehead. There are always others in the shadows, waiting in the wings.
He listens to the plan summarized, the disregard for his own life, and after a beat, Maruki's mouth twists into a wry smile. ]
Well, if you need a place to lay low...
[ He finally dislodges a hand from his pocket and holds it up lazily, palm out. It's no longer shaking. ]
I'm kidding. But only because I'm sure there's no one you'd be less safe around than me. Two birds, one stone.
[ Replaced in his pocket. Maruki doesn't dare relax against the wall as well, doesn't move an inch, but his shoulders do at least untense and relax back and down. Exhaustion creeps up behind his eyes. A long day only getting longer.
He has to wonder when Akechi will be able to enact this plan. In his version of their reality, Masayoshi Shido already had his heart changed, and very little real change came of it. Christmas Eve, and the man was still alive. But the way the sky distorted over Tokyo, the way the colossal skeletal remains speared up through the ground and toward the blood-red heavens...
Who knows. Maybe somewhere out there, Akechi was getting his revenge. ]
Akechi... Look.
[ He sighs, lets his eyes fall shut again. ]
Don't mistake this for me carelessly condoning murder. And if anyone from our reality ever asks, this conversation never happened. But...
[ Eyes open, chin tipped up so he can look at the ceiling. ]
Even if you hadn't told me anything else aside from your plan, I would still look the other way. I don't believe there is any good in our country or our world with a man like him at the helm. Whatever means need to be used to take him down– fine. But now, with the context that you've given me tonight...
[ That space in the center of his chest reserved only for Akechi burns. How painful is it, to already care so deeply for someone and then to learn everything they've suffered in silence since long before you knew them.
Maruki is a fixer. A healer. A man accustomed to regrets and what-ifs. Of course his traitorous imagination supplies him with one right now: What if somehow, he had been able to meet Akechi earlier back in their reality? Could any of this have been avoided?
Maybe. Probably not. He doesn't know. It isn't worth dwelling on. His eyes sting and his sternum aches as he finally turns his focus back to Akechi again. ]
I can't fault you for what you'll do.
[ Not what he wants to do. What he will do. Conviction ever-present. ]
no subject
More than Shido behind the scenes– well, Maruki isn't naïve. He could have guessed that. Has guessed that. What does he always tell people here? It's never just one person, especially not a figurehead. There are always others in the shadows, waiting in the wings.
He listens to the plan summarized, the disregard for his own life, and after a beat, Maruki's mouth twists into a wry smile. ]
Well, if you need a place to lay low...
[ He finally dislodges a hand from his pocket and holds it up lazily, palm out. It's no longer shaking. ]
I'm kidding. But only because I'm sure there's no one you'd be less safe around than me. Two birds, one stone.
[ Replaced in his pocket. Maruki doesn't dare relax against the wall as well, doesn't move an inch, but his shoulders do at least untense and relax back and down. Exhaustion creeps up behind his eyes. A long day only getting longer.
He has to wonder when Akechi will be able to enact this plan. In his version of their reality, Masayoshi Shido already had his heart changed, and very little real change came of it. Christmas Eve, and the man was still alive. But the way the sky distorted over Tokyo, the way the colossal skeletal remains speared up through the ground and toward the blood-red heavens...
Who knows. Maybe somewhere out there, Akechi was getting his revenge. ]
Akechi... Look.
[ He sighs, lets his eyes fall shut again. ]
Don't mistake this for me carelessly condoning murder. And if anyone from our reality ever asks, this conversation never happened. But...
[ Eyes open, chin tipped up so he can look at the ceiling. ]
Even if you hadn't told me anything else aside from your plan, I would still look the other way. I don't believe there is any good in our country or our world with a man like him at the helm. Whatever means need to be used to take him down– fine. But now, with the context that you've given me tonight...
[ That space in the center of his chest reserved only for Akechi burns. How painful is it, to already care so deeply for someone and then to learn everything they've suffered in silence since long before you knew them.
Maruki is a fixer. A healer. A man accustomed to regrets and what-ifs. Of course his traitorous imagination supplies him with one right now: What if somehow, he had been able to meet Akechi earlier back in their reality? Could any of this have been avoided?
Maybe. Probably not. He doesn't know. It isn't worth dwelling on. His eyes sting and his sternum aches as he finally turns his focus back to Akechi again. ]
I can't fault you for what you'll do.
[ Not what he wants to do. What he will do. Conviction ever-present. ]
Not at all.