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, well– ]
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?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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, well– ]
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.
🥞🥞🎶🔨
He is going to unleash SO many megidolaons on him after dinner.]