Don't worry about it. It's just a funny funny joke. He isn't even about to allude to Joker's shitty persona assortment. There will never be another like him, so it's irrelevant.]
No, not to my knowledge. That would somewhat odd, wouldn't? Imagine an ego so split that more than one persona formed from it. It goes against reason.
As for negotiation - I know very little about it due to my minor experience. However, I've heard you can negotiate with shadows. They are basically 'enemies' in the cognitive world, though that tends to be for items or money.
If a persona can be gained from it, well, that says more about the individual than anything. It goes back to a discussion about the split ego or an unsolidified sense of self.
[ An ego split enough for multiple personas isn't exactly outside the realm of possibility from a psychological standpoint... For example, extremely stressful or traumatic circumstances could easily cause that to occur, especially at a young age.
Just for example, of course. ]
Huh. That's fascinating, even just as a theoretical... I have to admit that I'm eager to return to our reality for countless reasons, but chief among them is to be able to learn more about this phenomenon. As always, I really appreciate you sharing what you know with me.
Shadows in a cognitive world. That's a little on the nose. Sometimes our conversations make me imagine Jung rolling over in his grave.
I can't imagine having another persona that would suit me as well as mine does. Could you?
[There's an implication in eager to return - a contentious topic he isn't sure about broaching in full. Maruki exhibits abnormalities in every single part of his awakening and then some. Checks on an ever growing list of the potential future problem he's facing.
Ugh.]
Please keep in mind it's not as simple as opening up a phone application. Going into the cognitive world is seemingly random. You may never learn more.
As for suitability -
It's interesting, isn't it? Robin Hood isn't a figure I would have associated with myself in any capacity. As a celebrity, it hardly follows the tradition of stealing from the rich to give back to the poor. I would argue the opposite.
In fact, in my research, I found some rather dire conflicting accounts of Robin Hood. Hero or villain, savior or murderer - it truly makes you wonder.
Though in saying that, I don't know anything about Azathoth and despite my search of the library, I've yet to learn a thing. I hesitate to say it suits you until I learn more. Something I'm eager to do with our return back to reality.
[ Akechi Goro, if anyone can enter the cognitive world without even something as helpful and simple as a phone app, it's gonna be him. Literally! ]
I didn't know there was that much variance in the legends about Robin Hood. That's a fascinating dichotomy.
If I can add one thing... You know your own mind better than anyone, but just from how I've come to know you, I can say there's much more to you than your celebrity status and image. Whether Robin Hood suits you or not probably has little to do with that.
If that were the case, maybe your soul would manifest as Poirot. Or Detective Conan!
Hah, I'm kidding, obviously.
Anyway, to be fair, I don't know very much about Azathoth either - and obviously I didn't have any time to research between its awakening and my arrival here. I only know it's a primordial god. The suitability is more of a general feeling I have than anything backed by literary evidence, I suppose.
It's all so strange to discuss. I don't know how you went about things alone, even for a short amount of time.
It feels like Joker on the other end of this phone. Only the edges of him because that boy was in a league of his own - untouchable until he wasn't. There's no comparison, even against Maruki.
But he reads 'there's more to you than your celebrity status and image' and-
Before he was a celebrity, he was no one. Not a single thought spared to Akechi Goro.
Maruki will never see Akechi Goro in full, even with the bits and pieces that fray off in his presence, but -
He screencaps the message. Waits. Reads it again and-
Deletes it. Back to the topic. He ignores the first portion.]
A primordial god - it certainly has the abilities of one. The range of your skills as a newcomer is quite astounding and they're only due to grow.
I wonder what makes you so special. A humble counselor with a desire to help and assist manifesting the spirit of ancient deity. To think an altruistic heart could form something so powerful. Moments like this - it's exciting for me. The cognitive world is one of the most fascinating mysteries I've ever stumbled on.
But it's less difficult than you would think to work alone, thanks to the notes and research from dedicated professionals like yourself.
What I just said about your image goes for my profession as well. Azathoth predates that by years. Honestly, it predates any interest in helping others beyond those closest to me.
I appreciate any kind words you have to say about my altruism, but I also think it's being given undue weight.
Hopefully when this nightmare clears up and we have a little breathing room, I can tell you the full story of why Azathoth came to me.
[ Or as full as it can be, anyway. And if he does, there's no avoiding talking about the memory they shared.
It twists in his chest weakly, too tired to be frightened of the notion. It feels nearly impossible right now that this will ever end.
Which, wellβ ]
I have another question entirely unrelated to personas and the cognitive world, if it's alright. I don't want to distract you on your way out of the woods.
[That's a surprise - an offer he won't forget. Maruki the counselor comes second to Maruki the liar, after all. Having an opportunity to hear the truth, willingly, from his own lips -
Well, he'll withhold judgement until then.]
I'll hold you to it. It's something I would like to hear.
As you said, we are more than our image. A full story is always preferable to a pretty little book cover.
[ A couple minutes of ... appearing, disappearing, reappearing as he says too much, not enough, untrue things, sentimental things. Nothing correct enough to send until he lands on: ]
I've spent enough time feeling helpless.
[ Over the past two weeks. During his captivity thus far in Somnius. Throughout his entire life. Everything, all of it. ]
I won't tell you to stay safe, I know that isn't possible here. But when you do go, please try not to die. I can heal everything else up to that point, so give him hell.
I'm making stir fry, whenever you come home.
Edited (WORDS GOD. THE BEER SLEEPIES GOT ME) 2024-06-21 23:02 (UTC)
[In the depths of that palace, Mementos - somewhere in the cognitive world-
He remembers the first time Loki slaughtered without remorse or mercy. A relentless assault spurned by feeling trapped, helpless, lost and-
Powerful.
Maruki is powerful.
Maruki is trapped. Helpless. Lost. Looking to unleash the same unrelenting fury against a world that's wronged him through forced capture, through the loss of a friend, through a distortion of reality. ]
I will not die.
You will not die.
[Another sentence typed out, deleted - you really are more than your image lost to backspaces and rewrites.]
Whether you face the Green Knight or not, you are not helpless nor weak. No part of your will is. A battle doesn't change that, won or lost. Go in with a clear head to assess the fight.
Sometimes a battle is won through wit above force. Other times, you must be merciless.
[Another pause. More typing. The trees cling to the earth around him. It's stifling - Loki could rip it apart. ]
Azathoth is strong because you are. Not the other way around.
After dinner, let's focus on guarding without your tentacle friends - if they become subdued, you need to be prepared.
fucking. god. bye. rank 6.5 is where our justice ends
[ As he hiked a cliffside with Venat, before this nightmare, even before the labyrinth, he told her: Back in our reality, Akechi-kun and I never would have had reason to meet, and he's become someone important to me here.
As he dried off outside the lake with Luz, discussing dreamers who have left and dreamers who still could, he told her: If my housemate was taken, I would be bereft.
It wasn't a consolation prize meant to make the circumstances of their captivity seem less worrisome. And it wasn't lip service meant to empathize and further a bond growing between counselor and patient. It was the truth.
It sits heavy somewhere deep in the center of his sternum now. Bright and warm. ]
Thank you, Akechi. Anything else I could say in response would be inadequate.
Actually, I will say one thing...
So you believe me now that the tentacles are friendly! I wasn't lying to you back in my dream, was I?
go!!! to SLEEP!!!!!
[ The actual question he wanted to ask, typed and deleted several times over. He'll settle for this for now. ]
See anything interesting this time?
im sleeping
Of course, there's nothing new to note. Trees, enthralled - it's becoming such a common sight. The Green Knight's power truly is something else.
It's unfortunate that we can't we negotiate with it or claim it as a persona for our arsenal.
I'm joking, of course.
no subject
Is that how it works? Can you negotiate with... creatures to manifest them as personas?
Wait, can you even have more than one persona?
no subject
Don't worry about it. It's just a funny funny joke. He isn't even about to allude to Joker's shitty persona assortment. There will never be another like him, so it's irrelevant.]
No, not to my knowledge. That would somewhat odd, wouldn't? Imagine an ego so split that more than one persona formed from it. It goes against reason.
As for negotiation - I know very little about it due to my minor experience. However, I've heard you can negotiate with shadows. They are basically 'enemies' in the cognitive world, though that tends to be for items or money.
If a persona can be gained from it, well, that says more about the individual than anything. It goes back to a discussion about the split ego or an unsolidified sense of self.
So I would assume.
no subject
Just for example, of course. ]
Huh. That's fascinating, even just as a theoretical... I have to admit that I'm eager to return to our reality for countless reasons, but chief among them is to be able to learn more about this phenomenon. As always, I really appreciate you sharing what you know with me.
Shadows in a cognitive world. That's a little on the nose. Sometimes our conversations make me imagine Jung rolling over in his grave.
I can't imagine having another persona that would suit me as well as mine does. Could you?
no subject
Ugh.]
Please keep in mind it's not as simple as opening up a phone application. Going into the cognitive world is seemingly random. You may never learn more.
As for suitability -
It's interesting, isn't it? Robin Hood isn't a figure I would have associated with myself in any capacity. As a celebrity, it hardly follows the tradition of stealing from the rich to give back to the poor. I would argue the opposite.
In fact, in my research, I found some rather dire conflicting accounts of Robin Hood. Hero or villain, savior or murderer - it truly makes you wonder.
Though in saying that, I don't know anything about Azathoth and despite my search of the library, I've yet to learn a thing. I hesitate to say it suits you until I learn more. Something I'm eager to do with our return back to reality.
no subject
I didn't know there was that much variance in the legends about Robin Hood. That's a fascinating dichotomy.
If I can add one thing... You know your own mind better than anyone, but just from how I've come to know you, I can say there's much more to you than your celebrity status and image. Whether Robin Hood suits you or not probably has little to do with that.
If that were the case, maybe your soul would manifest as Poirot. Or Detective Conan!
Hah, I'm kidding, obviously.
Anyway, to be fair, I don't know very much about Azathoth either - and obviously I didn't have any time to research between its awakening and my arrival here. I only know it's a primordial god. The suitability is more of a general feeling I have than anything backed by literary evidence, I suppose.
It's all so strange to discuss. I don't know how you went about things alone, even for a short amount of time.
no subject
It feels like Joker on the other end of this phone. Only the edges of him because that boy was in a league of his own - untouchable until he wasn't. There's no comparison, even against Maruki.
But he reads 'there's more to you than your celebrity status and image' and-
Before he was a celebrity, he was no one. Not a single thought spared to Akechi Goro.
Maruki will never see Akechi Goro in full, even with the bits and pieces that fray off in his presence, but -
He screencaps the message. Waits. Reads it again and-
Deletes it. Back to the topic. He ignores the first portion.]
A primordial god - it certainly has the abilities of one. The range of your skills as a newcomer is quite astounding and they're only due to grow.
I wonder what makes you so special. A humble counselor with a desire to help and assist manifesting the spirit of ancient deity. To think an altruistic heart could form something so powerful. Moments like this - it's exciting for me. The cognitive world is one of the most fascinating mysteries I've ever stumbled on.
But it's less difficult than you would think to work alone, thanks to the notes and research from dedicated professionals like yourself.
no subject
What I just said about your image goes for my profession as well. Azathoth predates that by years. Honestly, it predates any interest in helping others beyond those closest to me.
I appreciate any kind words you have to say about my altruism, but I also think it's being given undue weight.
Hopefully when this nightmare clears up and we have a little breathing room, I can tell you the full story of why Azathoth came to me.
[ Or as full as it can be, anyway. And if he does, there's no avoiding talking about the memory they shared.
It twists in his chest weakly, too tired to be frightened of the notion. It feels nearly impossible right now that this will ever end.
Which, wellβ ]
I have another question entirely unrelated to personas and the cognitive world, if it's alright. I don't want to distract you on your way out of the woods.
no subject
Well, he'll withhold judgement until then.]
I'll hold you to it. It's something I would like to hear.
As you said, we are more than our image. A full story is always preferable to a pretty little book cover.
Feel free to ask your question.
no subject
no subject
The text comes without a moment's hesitation.]
Of course, if the opportunity arises. Though I don't plan to go in recklessly.
I'll ask you the same - though I feel like your answer is as obvious as mine.
no subject
[ A couple minutes of ... appearing, disappearing, reappearing as he says too much, not enough, untrue things, sentimental things. Nothing correct enough to send until he lands on: ]
I've spent enough time feeling helpless.
[ Over the past two weeks. During his captivity thus far in Somnius. Throughout his entire life. Everything, all of it. ]
I won't tell you to stay safe, I know that isn't possible here. But when you do go, please try not to die. I can heal everything else up to that point, so give him hell.
I'm making stir fry, whenever you come home.
no subject
He remembers the first time Loki slaughtered without remorse or mercy. A relentless assault spurned by feeling trapped, helpless, lost and-
Powerful.
Maruki is powerful.
Maruki is trapped. Helpless. Lost. Looking to unleash the same unrelenting fury against a world that's wronged him through forced capture, through the loss of a friend, through a distortion of reality. ]
I will not die.
You will not die.
[Another sentence typed out, deleted - you really are more than your image lost to backspaces and rewrites.]
Whether you face the Green Knight or not, you are not helpless nor weak. No part of your will is. A battle doesn't change that, won or lost. Go in with a clear head to assess the fight.
Sometimes a battle is won through wit above force. Other times, you must be merciless.
[Another pause. More typing. The trees cling to the earth around him. It's stifling - Loki could rip it apart. ]
Azathoth is strong because you are. Not the other way around.
After dinner, let's focus on guarding without your tentacle friends - if they become subdued, you need to be prepared.
fucking. god. bye. rank 6.5 is where our justice ends
As he dried off outside the lake with Luz, discussing dreamers who have left and dreamers who still could, he told her: If my housemate was taken, I would be bereft.
It wasn't a consolation prize meant to make the circumstances of their captivity seem less worrisome. And it wasn't lip service meant to empathize and further a bond growing between counselor and patient. It was the truth.
It sits heavy somewhere deep in the center of his sternum now. Bright and warm. ]
Thank you, Akechi. Anything else I could say in response would be inadequate.
Actually, I will say one thing...
So you believe me now that the tentacles are friendly! I wasn't lying to you back in my dream, was I?
See you soon.
π₯π₯πΆπ¨
He is going to unleash SO many megidolaons on him after dinner.]