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
[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.