[ The invocation of the Detective Prince title makes Maruki smile, wry and amused, eyebrows raised. He isn't about to poke holes in anything Akechi's doing or has done – in fact, he will gladly play his own part in maintaining the image as he's sure Akechi will in maintaining his – but it is funny. He knows now that that is anything but the whole truth.
The question, though– ]
Ah, well...
[ He scratches along his stubble and laughs, a little self-conscious. ]
I'm not sure that I will? I mean! Not to take care of this, anyway, I'm sure I'll see her soon regardless. I haven't made up my mind just yet, but...
[ He is fully aware how inane it is to not take advantage of a power offered to him freely, one that he trusts and knows works. It's difficult to explain. There is, of course, the emotional side of things – which he has absolutely no interest in divulging to the teenager he lives with, ally or not – but the practical side as well.
Maruki sips his coffee thoughtfully, mulls it over, then opts for honesty. ]
You may or may not agree with my thinking here, but I'm trying to find some value in the consequences of my own pain.
[ Which, yes, sounds really weird when said out loud. He hears it, winces and tries again. ]
I guess what I'm trying to say is... If anything even remotely similar to what we went through awaits me in the future, either here or in our true reality, then I want to be prepared to handle all aspects of it. Relying on a power outside of my own, in this case, feels like a step sideways at best.
[ He isn't explaining it well. He can't possibly manage to summarize a lifetime of pathologically avoiding pain to Akechi. Hopefully it makes some small amount of sense. ]
He reassess Maruki with a side-eye over steaming hot coffee. It's a respectable, somewhat idiotic, position to take. Hesitation over unfamiliar healing powers a factor he can understand and-
The only person you can rely on is yourself. Exploitation works if the consequences are clear, but those relationships are fragile, broken fast and burned to the ground in split second decisions and realizations of distrust.
Maruki has the right idea.
The comment about the true reality - an implication he will be getting into the Metaverse an annoying reminder of the future. One with a bullet in Maruki's skull the second he figures out the bizarre application on his phone and screws around in places he shouldn't.
He should have added the dinosaur band-aid he found later, a few hours into Maruki's sleep - slapped it right next to the floral printed bandage. The cartoonish versions of creatures they were battling looked stupid - would've been ridiculous plastered to an injury caused by one. A small price to pay for the future problems this asshole is going to cause him.
Next time.]
It's your decision. I can't say I'm for or against it. My only comment on the matter is to keep a pulse on how the town is acting and reacting to certain scenarios. The world can be unjust and cruel - sometimes you don't get the luxury of maintaining your values over survival.
[Small sips. Fresh. Hot. Still not Leblanc.]
But historically speaking, after the labyrinth opens, we have a couple weeks of peace. That should give you enough time to heal on your own to the greatest extent possible.
[ It's valuable advice, and appreciated. The thing is that Maruki cannot stop keeping a pulse on how the inhabitants of Somnius are acting and reacting. It's something he can't turn off, all of the compulsions of his analytical mind and obsessions over how realities function ramped up to 11.
Only a few days away from his usual routine of field research, network reading and information gathering via potential counseling patients has him feeling an itch just beneath his skin. He has to get back to it, to trying to suss out the truth of this fucking place.
Breathe. Smile. Shrug one shoulder. ]
Survival is paramount, I know that now.
[ Akechi must be aware that he's already shelved his own values once. He has seen Maruki in ways that no one has, and likely no one will. There is such a tenuous thread of trust connecting them now, in every word and action, no matter how seemingly insignificant. ]
That's good to hear about the usual pattern of things, though. I'll focus on my recuperation. Let me apologize in advance for how simplified my cooking is about to become for a little while.
[ Which reminds him. His expression turns bright and teasing. ]
Did you prefer what we went through, or your green milk experience?
[A comment about cooking dies on his lips the second green milk experience rears its ugly head. A room full of dry, sugary cereal. His stomach hurt for days afterwards.
His face falls, displeasure and disgust made clear with a single look.]
I'll wait until I have one more experience in the labyrinth before I give my final response to that. As it stands now - the monsters by far. The amount of cereal I had to eat to leave the other room was...excessive.
[His stomach's churning at the memory and he slumps forward wtih a large sip to settle it back down. He's being so brave right now.
The thought of food leading him back to-
Cooking. A second of thoughtful silence - Maruki's seen him in a way he shouldn't have. They're back in reality now and he needs to reframe his image in a more positive light. That means being helpful.]
And while I can't say I'll be useful with my limited experience, if you need assistance cooking I'm available. We could also order additional food from Eren's business for awhile - he already delivers daily. Tacking on a few extra meals should be no issue.
do you have any idea how much i love sae sushi disappointment.jpg icon
The offer extended, not the answer about the labyrinth. Even if the room were full of one's favorite food instead of cereal, he has a feeling Akechi would still choose the monsters.
He grins at Akechi, wide and sincere. ]
Really? I'd welcome the help! Ah, not that I ever mind doing it on my own, I really do enjoy it... But it might be fun to cobble together a meal or two together, if you're up for it.
[ Hacking monsters to bits, chopping vegetables. Same difference. ]
But yes, we should take advantage of Eren's service as well... It really is a tremendous kindness he and Jean do for the people here.
[ He is keenly aware of how casual he's become in speaking to Akechi and resolves to button it back up around others. But here and now, the castle otherwise empty save for Zazie lurking in the nooks and crannies– it's fine.
Maruki finishes off the coffee, stands to get another. He is still so exhausted.
He gestures toward Akechi's cup, a silent offer to top him off if he'd like, and tentatively puts forth one thing that's been bothering him in his scant waking hours. ]
I don't want to inundate you with questions, but could I ask you something about what we now both know we can do?
[He might as well take advantage of the opportunity to learn something. As long as he doesn't have to chop up a raw fish again, it's fine. The lesson with Izutsumi a valuable one, even if he hasn't made an attempt to cook again. There's no need with two soft hearted fools who have decided to make it their life mission to feed others. As long as Akechi pays them, it's fine.
It won't matter once he's back in Tokyo, within walking distance of a Triple 7 again.
He pushes his cup forward at the silent offer - has it topped off because who knows what Maruki's going to ask.
I don't know is in his arsenal though. No matter what, he can brush off anything that's considered too much.]
Of course. Please feel free to ask what you want, as long as you're aware I may not have a sufficient answer for you. I'm new to this as well.
Edited (holy fuckin words batman) 2024-05-30 18:50 (UTC)
[ Maruki smiles at him gratefully, refills both their cups. He doesn't return to sit this time, his back already tender and sore from the chair. Just leans a hip against the counter across from him and rests there, a little slouched.
Akechi may be new to this, but Maruki remembers every word of their discussion about cognitive realities and the collective unconscious. That diagram. He either understands more than he realizes, or more than he's willing to let on.
Maruki does too, so it's fine. ]
How to put this...
[ This question, though, is a genuine gap in his knowledge. Most will be. He's working with so little practical knowledge about anything, and even if Akechi can't– or won't answer, it helps to get his thoughts out in some sort of concrete form. ]
You mentioned that you awoke to your– ah, persona, in the cognitive world. I clearly did not. You also said parts of my experience sounded atypical.
[ Put together the pieces, Takuto. ]
With what little I do know, it makes much more sense for that to occur in a cognition. That's the norm, then, right? Based on what accounts you've heard?
Correct. While my own set of evidence is limited, the norm thus far has been to awaken in the cognitive world alone. You're the first I know of to have it happen in reality. It's very strange.
[It makes him odd and odd is dangerous. Odd is a guy who can wield more personas than any person could feasibly count. Odd is a sudden onslaught of random goddamn teenagers traversing around the hearts of others.
He stares down at the coffee - blows lightly on the top of it.
Information needs to be carefully divvyed out, but they've toed this discussion in the convenience store. So far, it's fine.]
And you hearing a voice for a great deal of time prior - that is abnormal. I only heard Robin Hood when it awoke. Others follow a similar pattern.
[ Look. Listen. Between you and me, between the privacy of brackets, Maruki already knows he's different. Special. Granted access to a power entirely unrelated to combat, and then propelled into an ascent to something akin to godhood until it got ripped from his hands. That is not the norm. He could guess that without Akechi ever telling him a single scrap of information more.
But simple aspects like length of time before awakening to this power? If multiple people have done it, and if it follows any laws of cognitive psience at all, then something as basic as that shouldn't fall outside standard conventions.
His dumbfounded look is completely, entirely genuine. ]
Really?
[ FOR REAL? ]
That's...
[ A nervous little laugh. Huh. Okay. ]
That's incredibly bizarre.
[ Like maybe this was less a manifestation of his own will, and more an entity making deliberate contact. ]
What do you make of that?
[ And then he sets his cup down quickly and presses his palm to his forehead, frenetically apologetic. ]
Ah, I'm sorry to ask you so many esoteric questions! If you don't have any thoughts on the matter, I understand. Seriously. What a weird thing...
[There's an opportunity in this leading question. A hand presses to his chin in thought - as if pondering the open ended question Maruki provided.
No, he has something else in mind. A way to see the extent of his true knowledge. Potentially catch him in one of his many lies, find out if there's an increasingly unlikely affiliation to Shido and-
His arms cross over his chest, tone apologetic and subdued. Feigned in every extent possible.]
As a detective, this is a mystery I would desperately love to solve. However...my apologies. I don't have any leading theories on the matter. The cognitive world is a recent research topic for me and I'm not experienced enough in it to provide anything worthwhile.
[A sigh and he leans forward, resting elbows on the counter and his chin against raised, folded hands.]
If only we had Wakaba Isshiki's notes here. She was quite the prominent researcher in that field, wasn't she? It's a shame about what happened to her.
[ His hand drops from his forehead as Akechi speaks, glad to not have caused any offense with his strange and selfish questions. It's something for him to dwell on as he waits for the opportunity to visit that crystal again.
But then– ]
Oh, you've read Isshiki-san's research?
[ It's said with a sort of tempered, mild surprise. He knows Akechi has an interest in cognitive psience, and it's not as if there are many big names in their field. It makes sense that he would have found it during the early stages of his own research. Everything she did was foundational. Maruki's own work owes a tremendous debt to her. The only unexpected thing here is hearing a name only ever spoken in university lecture halls and research labs right here, in Somnius of all places. Like seeing your teacher at the grocery store.
His mouth downturns a bit, brows knitting together in sympathy. Any death is tragic; any suicide, doubly so. He may not have known her, but he doesn't like to think about such things. ]
Yes, it was a tragedy in our field. I never met her, but her work was second to none.
[ Until his own, of course. Cut off, unrecognized.
He's halfway through thinking of a way to say that he's so deeply familiar with every word Wakaba Isshiki ever published that he can confidently say there was nothing in there that would help with this persona conundrum, without sounding like he's inflating his own ego too much, when a more pertinent thought occurs to him and he looks at Akechi, wide-eyed. ]
That library. It's not outside the realm of possibility that cognitive psience books could appear there, is it?
Edited (you ever just fuckin not finish a thought) 2024-05-30 21:34 (UTC)
Read is a generous description of what I did. It was beyond my understanding at the time I saw it. Glanced through, is more appropriate.
[A single truth in that statement - he did flip through the complicated documents to glean information about a world he visited almost daily. All the general knowledge in the world and deductive reasoning can't parse out a complicated research paper, when your background is basically I went there a few times.
Things escalated and he never thought to touch it again. The knowledge of her suicide resulting in a daughter losing her parent -
Didn't bother him and-
Maruki doesn't say much. Akechi can't confirm anything with confidence, but the way he sounds, the words he uses, the expression on his face -
The likelihood of him being involved with Shido as a part of his personal group of researchers has plummeted deep into the earth. Not impossible, since Maruki's a liar, but-
Improbable.]
To your question - it stands to reason that it's possible. Finding specific information on such a niche topic will truly be like searching for a needle in a haystack, so-
[His arms slide back to his lap, move to touch the cup and settle against the edge of the table to grip.]
When I'm there I'll also look for those books. Two people searching holds a higher chance of success after all.
[ None the wiser to anything out of the ordinary in the conversation, and all too happy to let the subject of a deceased researcher and mother drop, Maruki smiles tentatively. ]
Sounds like a plan. I can't say that I expect to find anything, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.
[ If you want something badly enough, it can happen. If you believe, it can become reality.
God, he needs to pay a visit to the crystal.
Which reminds him: It was in this kitchen, with the two of them in these exact positions on opposite sides of the bar, that they both lied about not having any inherent abilities. Pleasantly, politely, easily.
Maruki doesn't feel an ounce of ill will toward Akechi for it. It would be entirely hypocritical, for one thing – and for another, just as he had his own reasons to keep quiet, he knows Akechi must have too. Strangely, the truth of their mutual lies surfacing has only made him trust Akechi more. Something within him might be wired wrong, but his heart hasn't steered him astray yet.
His smile turns wry and appreciative, and he sips his coffee with raised eyebrows. ]
You really tricked me, you know. About not having any abilities.
Edited (that subject line only made sense with the original direction i was gonna take this that made no sense lol tired) 2024-05-31 08:37 (UTC)
I could say the same about you. However, I'm assuming for both of us it was a self-preservation tactic. We come from a world where that isn't normal.
[A wave of his hand, as if brushing off the thought entirely. Akechi won't forget he's a liar, but in discussion of powers, it makes sense.]
If we were to go back and you were to tell the tabloids I thought Robin Hood was in my body, well, that would certainly ruin my career, wouldn't it?
[The coffee's lukewarm already - the previous topic souring the taste when he takes small sips.]
And I could ruin your life in Tokyo easily. All it would take are a few comments on Good Morning Japan about a counselor who hears a being called Azathoth.
[THREAT.]
I'm just happy there's a certain degree of trust between us now.
[ It's a threat, sure, but it also makes him laugh. Genuine, and a little sardonic, and fond.
They're both liars, so Akechi has no reason to take what he says now at face value. Maruki knows that. He says it anyway, eyes alight with his total honesty. ]
I can assure you that if we return to our reality with our memories of this place intact, I don't plan to breathe a word about you.
[ He hasn't actually thought about it this way before, but... ]
I guess I see what's happening to us here as... a closed circuit, so to speak. One where you have my promise of total confidentiality, which carries over into our reality or, god forbid, any other one.
[ It's so simple, really. It just took a spin in the labyrinth to crystallize it in Maruki's mind.
['You're my ally' uttered with unexpected sincerity and-
'I'll maintain your image' added with a double meaning that -
He wouldn't assume for any other person in this world. A promise to keep what he's seen under wraps in Tokyo - an almost pointless consolation when Shido's resources are at his disposal.
It's not the first time someone tried to out him - information on his family history a google search away. My mother died of an illness to reporters and His mother killed herself plastered on 2Chan forums as a mockery and-
It's wiped away, always. Blacklisted and ignored. Shido's resources second to none and Akechi's image vital to maintain for all. Whatever Maruki uttered wouldn't matter. It's-
The second comment. The second meaning. A separate promise from a liar with secrets of his own to bury deep.
The wall past Maruki turns into blooms of colors and sharp, bright lines. He didn't blink. He does now, focuses on the damaged, slinged arm and-
Then back to his lukewarm coffee. Visions of shared battles, of thinly coiled words, of-
He opens his mouth - tone practiced, neutral and calm.]
Right. Thank you.
[Pause. He spins the cup to grab the handle with his left hand.]
I'll do the same though if I may be so bold - we will remember. I will not allow this place to control my memories. We won't forget the time here when we return to our true reality. I'll be holding you to your promise.
[ It's a relief that Akechi does seem to take him at his word, and doesn't fight it. And promises the same.
A hesitation in his heart. Does he trust it?
He thinks he does.
On the off chance he's wrong, though, and Akechi goes on a path of destruction against him upon their return– well, it would devastate him on several personal levels. But it wouldn't matter for long. It would be undone, like every other grave injustice, every pain point, every mistake. An ideal reality is only days away.
He would like to have that chess match and tempura udon first, though.
But more than all of that– ]
Ah. I'd been waiting to learn your thoughts on the matter. History does seem to indicate that it isn't a given that we'll remember, but...
[ He spends so much of his time poring over the network, the notes from Lioriley. Gathering information in casual conversations and counseling alike with dreamers who have been here long enough to lose someone. ]
For whatever it's worth, I don't intend to lose my memories either. I've only been here one month, and I can't imagine returning to the man that I was. Like a puppet.
It's funny. Akechi lets out a quiet laugh - soft and acerbic.
Maruki won't return to be a puppet and Akechi-
Will return to dancing on goddamn strings for everyone. Will be the puppet master for others. Play the part of a mindless doll himself until he's able to reveal everything - to the world. To Shido.]
I'm glad to hear it. No one should live their life as some mindless puppet in someone else's world. I refuse to accept a reality concocted by someone else and let them control my memories, my feelings-
[He finishes off the room temperature coffee. It's gross.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
The question, though– ]
Ah, well...
[ He scratches along his stubble and laughs, a little self-conscious. ]
I'm not sure that I will? I mean! Not to take care of this, anyway, I'm sure I'll see her soon regardless. I haven't made up my mind just yet, but...
[ He is fully aware how inane it is to not take advantage of a power offered to him freely, one that he trusts and knows works. It's difficult to explain. There is, of course, the emotional side of things – which he has absolutely no interest in divulging to the teenager he lives with, ally or not – but the practical side as well.
Maruki sips his coffee thoughtfully, mulls it over, then opts for honesty. ]
You may or may not agree with my thinking here, but I'm trying to find some value in the consequences of my own pain.
[ Which, yes, sounds really weird when said out loud. He hears it, winces and tries again. ]
I guess what I'm trying to say is... If anything even remotely similar to what we went through awaits me in the future, either here or in our true reality, then I want to be prepared to handle all aspects of it. Relying on a power outside of my own, in this case, feels like a step sideways at best.
[ He isn't explaining it well. He can't possibly manage to summarize a lifetime of pathologically avoiding pain to Akechi. Hopefully it makes some small amount of sense. ]
no subject
[That's-
Unexpected.
He reassess Maruki with a side-eye over steaming hot coffee. It's a respectable, somewhat idiotic, position to take. Hesitation over unfamiliar healing powers a factor he can understand and-
The only person you can rely on is yourself. Exploitation works if the consequences are clear, but those relationships are fragile, broken fast and burned to the ground in split second decisions and realizations of distrust.
Maruki has the right idea.
The comment about the true reality - an implication he will be getting into the Metaverse an annoying reminder of the future. One with a bullet in Maruki's skull the second he figures out the bizarre application on his phone and screws around in places he shouldn't.
He should have added the dinosaur band-aid he found later, a few hours into Maruki's sleep - slapped it right next to the floral printed bandage. The cartoonish versions of creatures they were battling looked stupid - would've been ridiculous plastered to an injury caused by one. A small price to pay for the future problems this asshole is going to cause him.
Next time.]
It's your decision. I can't say I'm for or against it. My only comment on the matter is to keep a pulse on how the town is acting and reacting to certain scenarios. The world can be unjust and cruel - sometimes you don't get the luxury of maintaining your values over survival.
[Small sips. Fresh. Hot. Still not Leblanc.]
But historically speaking, after the labyrinth opens, we have a couple weeks of peace. That should give you enough time to heal on your own to the greatest extent possible.
no subject
Only a few days away from his usual routine of field research, network reading and information gathering via potential counseling patients has him feeling an itch just beneath his skin. He has to get back to it, to trying to suss out the truth of this fucking place.
Breathe. Smile. Shrug one shoulder. ]
Survival is paramount, I know that now.
[ Akechi must be aware that he's already shelved his own values once. He has seen Maruki in ways that no one has, and likely no one will. There is such a tenuous thread of trust connecting them now, in every word and action, no matter how seemingly insignificant. ]
That's good to hear about the usual pattern of things, though. I'll focus on my recuperation. Let me apologize in advance for how simplified my cooking is about to become for a little while.
[ Which reminds him. His expression turns bright and teasing. ]
Did you prefer what we went through, or your green milk experience?
no subject
His face falls, displeasure and disgust made clear with a single look.]
I'll wait until I have one more experience in the labyrinth before I give my final response to that. As it stands now - the monsters by far. The amount of cereal I had to eat to leave the other room was...excessive.
[His stomach's churning at the memory and he slumps forward wtih a large sip to settle it back down. He's being so brave right now.
The thought of food leading him back to-
Cooking. A second of thoughtful silence - Maruki's seen him in a way he shouldn't have. They're back in reality now and he needs to reframe his image in a more positive light. That means being helpful.]
And while I can't say I'll be useful with my limited experience, if you need assistance cooking I'm available. We could also order additional food from Eren's business for awhile - he already delivers daily. Tacking on a few extra meals should be no issue.
do you have any idea how much i love sae sushi disappointment.jpg icon
The offer extended, not the answer about the labyrinth. Even if the room were full of one's favorite food instead of cereal, he has a feeling Akechi would still choose the monsters.
He grins at Akechi, wide and sincere. ]
Really? I'd welcome the help! Ah, not that I ever mind doing it on my own, I really do enjoy it... But it might be fun to cobble together a meal or two together, if you're up for it.
[ Hacking monsters to bits, chopping vegetables. Same difference. ]
But yes, we should take advantage of Eren's service as well... It really is a tremendous kindness he and Jean do for the people here.
[ He is keenly aware of how casual he's become in speaking to Akechi and resolves to button it back up around others. But here and now, the castle otherwise empty save for Zazie lurking in the nooks and crannies– it's fine.
Maruki finishes off the coffee, stands to get another. He is still so exhausted.
He gestures toward Akechi's cup, a silent offer to top him off if he'd like, and tentatively puts forth one thing that's been bothering him in his scant waking hours. ]
I don't want to inundate you with questions, but could I ask you something about what we now both know we can do?
ITS A GOOD FACE BRENT
It won't matter once he's back in Tokyo, within walking distance of a Triple 7 again.
He pushes his cup forward at the silent offer - has it topped off because who knows what Maruki's going to ask.
I don't know is in his arsenal though. No matter what, he can brush off anything that's considered too much.]
Of course. Please feel free to ask what you want, as long as you're aware I may not have a sufficient answer for you. I'm new to this as well.
no subject
Akechi may be new to this, but Maruki remembers every word of their discussion about cognitive realities and the collective unconscious. That diagram. He either understands more than he realizes, or more than he's willing to let on.
Maruki does too, so it's fine. ]
How to put this...
[ This question, though, is a genuine gap in his knowledge. Most will be. He's working with so little practical knowledge about anything, and even if Akechi can't– or won't answer, it helps to get his thoughts out in some sort of concrete form. ]
You mentioned that you awoke to your– ah, persona, in the cognitive world. I clearly did not. You also said parts of my experience sounded atypical.
[ Put together the pieces, Takuto. ]
With what little I do know, it makes much more sense for that to occur in a cognition. That's the norm, then, right? Based on what accounts you've heard?
no subject
[It makes him odd and odd is dangerous. Odd is a guy who can wield more personas than any person could feasibly count. Odd is a sudden onslaught of random goddamn teenagers traversing around the hearts of others.
He stares down at the coffee - blows lightly on the top of it.
Information needs to be carefully divvyed out, but they've toed this discussion in the convenience store. So far, it's fine.]
And you hearing a voice for a great deal of time prior - that is abnormal. I only heard Robin Hood when it awoke. Others follow a similar pattern.
no subject
But simple aspects like length of time before awakening to this power? If multiple people have done it, and if it follows any laws of cognitive psience at all, then something as basic as that shouldn't fall outside standard conventions.
His dumbfounded look is completely, entirely genuine. ]
Really?
[ FOR REAL? ]
That's...
[ A nervous little laugh. Huh. Okay. ]
That's incredibly bizarre.
[ Like maybe this was less a manifestation of his own will, and more an entity making deliberate contact. ]
What do you make of that?
[ And then he sets his cup down quickly and presses his palm to his forehead, frenetically apologetic. ]
Ah, I'm sorry to ask you so many esoteric questions! If you don't have any thoughts on the matter, I understand. Seriously. What a weird thing...
cw: suicide mention
No, he has something else in mind. A way to see the extent of his true knowledge. Potentially catch him in one of his many lies, find out if there's an increasingly unlikely affiliation to Shido and-
His arms cross over his chest, tone apologetic and subdued. Feigned in every extent possible.]
As a detective, this is a mystery I would desperately love to solve. However...my apologies. I don't have any leading theories on the matter. The cognitive world is a recent research topic for me and I'm not experienced enough in it to provide anything worthwhile.
[A sigh and he leans forward, resting elbows on the counter and his chin against raised, folded hands.]
If only we had Wakaba Isshiki's notes here. She was quite the prominent researcher in that field, wasn't she? It's a shame about what happened to her.
cw suicide mention
But then– ]
Oh, you've read Isshiki-san's research?
[ It's said with a sort of tempered, mild surprise. He knows Akechi has an interest in cognitive psience, and it's not as if there are many big names in their field. It makes sense that he would have found it during the early stages of his own research. Everything she did was foundational. Maruki's own work owes a tremendous debt to her. The only unexpected thing here is hearing a name only ever spoken in university lecture halls and research labs right here, in Somnius of all places. Like seeing your teacher at the grocery store.
His mouth downturns a bit, brows knitting together in sympathy. Any death is tragic; any suicide, doubly so. He may not have known her, but he doesn't like to think about such things. ]
Yes, it was a tragedy in our field. I never met her, but her work was second to none.
[ Until his own, of course. Cut off, unrecognized.
He's halfway through thinking of a way to say that he's so deeply familiar with every word Wakaba Isshiki ever published that he can confidently say there was nothing in there that would help with this persona conundrum, without sounding like he's inflating his own ego too much, when a more pertinent thought occurs to him and he looks at Akechi, wide-eyed. ]
That library. It's not outside the realm of possibility that cognitive psience books could appear there, is it?
cw suicide, murder
[A single truth in that statement - he did flip through the complicated documents to glean information about a world he visited almost daily. All the general knowledge in the world and deductive reasoning can't parse out a complicated research paper, when your background is basically I went there a few times.
Things escalated and he never thought to touch it again. The knowledge of her suicide resulting in a daughter losing her parent -
Didn't bother him and-
Maruki doesn't say much. Akechi can't confirm anything with confidence, but the way he sounds, the words he uses, the expression on his face -
The likelihood of him being involved with Shido as a part of his personal group of researchers has plummeted deep into the earth. Not impossible, since Maruki's a liar, but-
Improbable.]
To your question - it stands to reason that it's possible. Finding specific information on such a niche topic will truly be like searching for a needle in a haystack, so-
[His arms slide back to his lap, move to touch the cup and settle against the edge of the table to grip.]
When I'm there I'll also look for those books. Two people searching holds a higher chance of success after all.
no subject
Sounds like a plan. I can't say that I expect to find anything, but who knows? Stranger things have happened.
[ If you want something badly enough, it can happen. If you believe, it can become reality.
God, he needs to pay a visit to the crystal.
Which reminds him: It was in this kitchen, with the two of them in these exact positions on opposite sides of the bar, that they both lied about not having any inherent abilities. Pleasantly, politely, easily.
Maruki doesn't feel an ounce of ill will toward Akechi for it. It would be entirely hypocritical, for one thing – and for another, just as he had his own reasons to keep quiet, he knows Akechi must have too. Strangely, the truth of their mutual lies surfacing has only made him trust Akechi more. Something within him might be wired wrong, but his heart hasn't steered him astray yet.
His smile turns wry and appreciative, and he sips his coffee with raised eyebrows. ]
You really tricked me, you know. About not having any abilities.
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[A wave of his hand, as if brushing off the thought entirely. Akechi won't forget he's a liar, but in discussion of powers, it makes sense.]
If we were to go back and you were to tell the tabloids I thought Robin Hood was in my body, well, that would certainly ruin my career, wouldn't it?
[The coffee's lukewarm already - the previous topic souring the taste when he takes small sips.]
And I could ruin your life in Tokyo easily. All it would take are a few comments on Good Morning Japan about a counselor who hears a being called Azathoth.
[THREAT.]
I'm just happy there's a certain degree of trust between us now.
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They're both liars, so Akechi has no reason to take what he says now at face value. Maruki knows that. He says it anyway, eyes alight with his total honesty. ]
I can assure you that if we return to our reality with our memories of this place intact, I don't plan to breathe a word about you.
[ He hasn't actually thought about it this way before, but... ]
I guess I see what's happening to us here as... a closed circuit, so to speak. One where you have my promise of total confidentiality, which carries over into our reality or, god forbid, any other one.
[ It's so simple, really. It just took a spin in the labyrinth to crystallize it in Maruki's mind.
He smiles at Akechi. ]
You're my ally. I'll maintain your image.
[ Not a threat. A promise. ]
cw: suicide mention
'I'll maintain your image' added with a double meaning that -
He wouldn't assume for any other person in this world. A promise to keep what he's seen under wraps in Tokyo - an almost pointless consolation when Shido's resources are at his disposal.
It's not the first time someone tried to out him - information on his family history a google search away. My mother died of an illness to reporters and His mother killed herself plastered on 2Chan forums as a mockery and-
It's wiped away, always. Blacklisted and ignored. Shido's resources second to none and Akechi's image vital to maintain for all. Whatever Maruki uttered wouldn't matter. It's-
The second comment. The second meaning. A separate promise from a liar with secrets of his own to bury deep.
The wall past Maruki turns into blooms of colors and sharp, bright lines. He didn't blink. He does now, focuses on the damaged, slinged arm and-
Then back to his lukewarm coffee. Visions of shared battles, of thinly coiled words, of-
He opens his mouth - tone practiced, neutral and calm.]
Right. Thank you.
[Pause. He spins the cup to grab the handle with his left hand.]
I'll do the same though if I may be so bold - we will remember. I will not allow this place to control my memories. We won't forget the time here when we return to our true reality. I'll be holding you to your promise.
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A hesitation in his heart. Does he trust it?
He thinks he does.
On the off chance he's wrong, though, and Akechi goes on a path of destruction against him upon their return– well, it would devastate him on several personal levels. But it wouldn't matter for long. It would be undone, like every other grave injustice, every pain point, every mistake. An ideal reality is only days away.
He would like to have that chess match and tempura udon first, though.
But more than all of that– ]
Ah. I'd been waiting to learn your thoughts on the matter. History does seem to indicate that it isn't a given that we'll remember, but...
[ He spends so much of his time poring over the network, the notes from Lioriley. Gathering information in casual conversations and counseling alike with dreamers who have been here long enough to lose someone. ]
For whatever it's worth, I don't intend to lose my memories either. I've only been here one month, and I can't imagine returning to the man that I was. Like a puppet.
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It's funny. Akechi lets out a quiet laugh - soft and acerbic.
Maruki won't return to be a puppet and Akechi-
Will return to dancing on goddamn strings for everyone. Will be the puppet master for others. Play the part of a mindless doll himself until he's able to reveal everything - to the world. To Shido.]
I'm glad to hear it. No one should live their life as some mindless puppet in someone else's world. I refuse to accept a reality concocted by someone else and let them control my memories, my feelings-
[He finishes off the room temperature coffee. It's gross.]
No, I won't forget and neither will you.