[ 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
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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.