[ He's quiet, even for how they've been in recent days– nights? Well, it's night now, not the eternal misty darkess they were mired in but the usual twilight of Somnius winding down.
What an anticlimax it must be to everyone but two. Three, including Sky, who surely knows. He should check on her, but–
He sits next to Akechi at the bar, half his own plate already eaten by the time he arrived, the other half suddenly unappealing as the conversation goes exactly where he knew it would go.
A hesitation that he's too tired to hide. Akechi will see it, he knows. ]
No, no one's told me anything about it.
[ Not a lie, actually.
A long sip of water.
Glasses removed to clean against his button down. There's a crack along a top corner of the left lens from where he was struck by tree shrapnel. The only visible sign of physical wear.
He looks over at Akechi, blurred even only a foot away from him. ]
What about you?
[ They weren't exactly quiet or subtle. Anyone could have seen or heard, posted on the network asking what the hell was up with the light show of cosmic proportions. Maruki hasn't checked. He feels sick just thinking about the possibility of someone inquiring. ]
[There's no reluctance in his own voice, despite the blatant lie. His gaze settles on Maruki - a man unguarded, but hesitant in his words and actions.
That's interesting.
They're both liars with their own mission, but mutually beneficial information is easily spilled from both their lips. All exchanges meant to facilitate their common goal - a shared desire to return to reality.
Maruki's exhausted. From a battle, maybe. A normal enthralled may be overpowering for him with his newly gained, strange, and largely unknown abilities. Strong or not, he doesn't have years of stamina behind him.
Akechi twirls spaghetti around his chopsticks - mindless and without a single bite. A swirl that becomes a mini pasta tornado decoration at the edge of his plate, before he plucks some mushrooms to chew on instead.]
Ah, but you may be too tired to hear it.
[A crack on his glasses, slumped more than normal - looking at him, but barely.
How obvious could he be. After months of spending so much time together-
It starts as a small smile, the inside of one cheek bitten to try to contain it before it blooms across his face anyway, followed by a breathless laugh, like it's been punched out of him.
He turns to Akechi fully then. ]
No, I'm fine. My circadian rhythm is messed up, but aside from that, I feel good.
[ Also not a lie. Beneath the layers of exhaustion, he does.
Venat was right. It was a magnificent fight. He had fun. ]
Is that all? Well, given recent events, your body should reacclimate soon.
[Full attention, Akechi has a decision to make-
He doesn't have shit. Maruki isn't forthcoming, but that doesn't mean unwilling - it's a matter of needling it out of him and Akechi has energy for that in spades.
Another mushroom - they're pretty good. He takes his sweet ass time to chew it before speaking again.]
Wouldn't it be interesting if I said someone had seen you in the midst of a battle?
[A huge, gigantic ass lie through the skin of his teeth. Any moot attempt at a fight wouldn't have ended in victory, though he's sure the man could've landed a decent number of hits to wear it down.
In any event, he's just trying to rile him up. He doesn't wait for a reaction and takes a bite out of his earlier pasta tornado masterpiece.]
I'm kidding, of course. [A napkin pats at his mouth again.] But I wonder who took it down in full. To think there's a power to destroy a cognition at its source and rip away a world that had taken over at its hinges. It's all fascinating.
[ The shift from the leveled accusation to the reveal of the joke is so immediate that Maruki doesn't get a chance to react at all. It hits him like a rogue wave, washes right over him, leaves him cold and disoriented and–
This little shit.
Maruki watches him taking those delicate little bites of pasta, weighs his options. Considers messing with him, addressing any of his fascinations using vague terms to continue stringing him along. Considers going the opposite route and stating it plainly, with no presupposition whatsoever.
As he so often does, Maruki chooses the middle ground.
Every ounce of his energy fights to keep his tone mildly curious, as if they're discussing a harmless piece of gossip gleaned from the network. ]
Ah, can I ask who told you that? I'd like to chat with them to ensure they don't spread that to anyone else.
[ If Akechi looks – and he will look – he'll see the slightest hint of teasing mischief alight in Maruki's tired eyes. ]
[A tilt of the head, the man's expression noted, and-
Things are back to normal in every capacity. A world shifting back in the slow manner it tends to. The playful banter overtaking exhaustion. It's amusing only because Maruki bites back every time.
His focus returns to the plate and the phone face up beside him - a quick glance at the latter revealing no updates. Typical. Irritating. ]
My apologies. I signed a confidentiality agreement with my sources - I'm sure you understand. You can try to bug my phone to find out though - I would welcome the challenge.
[He even slides it his direction with an elbow - no spaghetti sauce is getting on his shit. ]
[ Another laugh, a further easing of the tension in his shoulders. Akechi is playing along. Okay. Good.
He slides the phone back and resumes picking at his own plate now that his stomach is twisted into less severe knots. A bite, a dab of his own napkin, a hum of consideration. ]
Those confidentiality agreements are tricky things. Sometimes people still think they're entitled to know what information is protected by them. But then again...
[ Bite, chew, swallow. He can't taste any of it as adrenaline floods his system anew. ]
If there's a third party who has proven themselves trustworthy to an ironclad degree, perhaps it's okay to occasionally share the burden of some confidential information with them.
[ The lightly joking tone is slightly pointed now.
Come on, Detective Prince, you can get this one. ]
My, imagine what an honor that would be. The way you say that puts me on the spot.
[The phone settles back near his elbow, a smile present on his face. He could really wait out the information - some braggart will come forth themself or through second hand information. But those words confirm-
What he already knew. Maruki isn't ignorant to victor of that fight - not that Akechi can narrow down the suspect pool beyond that. The kind hearted counselor, unfortunately, is friendly with far too many.]
People think interrogations are one sided, and they can be with the most vile of criminals, but oftentimes they work as negotiations. You provide information, they confirm or deny. They provide information, and you offer downgrades in penalties or protection.
The truth is most important, after all - not the gains and losses in a discussion in search of it.
[The notebook comes out from his pocket with a pen - a small paper bit of paper is torn off and Akechi writes something on it. Folds it. Places it under a palm that now rests against the table, while he switches to eat with his right hand with ease.]
I've written a valuable piece of information on this paper - one you will be deeply interested in as a cognitive psience researcher.
[BAIT, DANGLED.]
So why don't you tell me who defeated the Green Knight?
Edited (shhhhhhhh h H Hh SAH HS HSAHD H H HD HD H H) 2024-06-22 23:46 (UTC)
That's funny. People think the same thing about counseling. When done well, it's a dialogue of give and take between two people, not a barrage of questions and solutions provided by one.
[ He's just playing with his food at this point. It's deeply indulgent.
Not the spaghetti, of course. Maruki takes a couple final bites, still about a quarter left, before gently pushing the plate aside and leaning an elbow on the bar to turn toward Akechi, eyes on that paper, then on him. ]
I'm about to tell you regardless.
[ If Akechi's searching for a lie, he won't find it there. That promise is entirely truthful. ]
However, show me what's on the paper first. Even if you're bullshitting me with an empty offer and it says nothing important, I'll still tell you.
Akechi's own plate forgotten in this exchange, he turns to look at the man in full. The paper also has something he was planning to tell Maruki anyway. It's of no loss to give it up and he gains the intel he wants. Maruki is a liar, but not in the blatant way Akechi is. Even he recognizes the differences. The man is full of half truths and disarming care that can make a person forget their original intent. Akechi warps the origin and lies through his teeth to distort.
With a smile, he pulls his hand back. Should Maruki grab it and look, he will find one word-
"Palace"]
Now if you wouldn't mind, please give me your answer. I won't wait a second more. If necessary, I'll keep it a secret, but I would like to know who to keep my eye on here.
[ He will indeed grab it and look. Not quickly, he isn't in a mad scramble here. He's enjoying this and will let Akechi give his ultimatum before he takes it, reads it, and–
Hm.
Whatever that is, it's not nothing.
Maruki smiles, folds it back up and slides it into one of his pockets. ]
Thank you. I'm sure we'll discuss that later.
[ Akechi's instincts are more than valid. They would be Maruki's instincts too if he wasn't in the situation he's in. He would be exploiting the myriad connections he's formed here to obtain the information quickly, share it with Akechi readily, so that they may both be better informed.
Fortunately for Akechi, he already has an eye on the culprit, so it shouldn't be too much more work heaped onto his plate.
Maruki looks at him, all of that playful cat and mouse teasing dropped away in favor of purely earnest honesty, and there is not a single drop of ego in the factual statement: ]
You were right, actually. It was me.
[ A beat, and then one corner of his lips does quirk upward, fond. ]
And Venat. The two of us.
[ God help him. ]
Aside from her– and, I assume, Night Sky– you're the only one who will know about my involvement. I don't have a single doubt that you'll keep that secret.
Akechi waits for the shoe to drop. For Maruki's expression to shift back into same one worn during the playful back and forth. He'll be pissed off, sure, but it's better than this.
He waits.
And waits.
And-
He's distinctly aware of the sharp 'ting' his chopsticks make when gravity claims victory over his hand and the tips hit the plate. ]
[Laughter bursts from his lips. The same one that bounced across his room when Maruki told him his future plans for any 'scow'.
One similar to the sound that ripped from his throat in a forgotten city, as Maruki slashed the neck of that beast.
It's pure. Genuine. Not directed his way, but because of him.]
The enemy was wiped out because you? Pretty damn good, Maruki. I'm impressed. You truly are remarkable.
[It's incredible the sheer amount of power behind that persona - one he can reasonably assumed is as nerfed as his own is-
Troubling. The sudden intensity of it washing over him wave after wave after wave. The general mirth lost when he wipes at his eyes, neutral expression returning.
[It's not bad news. It's not good. Venat's name sours his stomach and ruins what little appetite he had, but-
She is strong. Powerful. Taking on the Green Knight is a task she is well equipped for.
Maruki is strong. Powerful. Taking on the Green Knight is a task he was prepared for.
Both of them managing a feat like that is troubling. Akechi, by all reason, should have been able to handle a fucking palace ruler's bullshit. That's all the Green Knight was and Night Sky its source.
He couldn't manage to put a notable dent in either, bullet shaped or otherwise.
Maruki killed the Green Knight and Akechi-
Watches him again. Searching for something - thinking back on past trainings, battles, observances and situations. The tentacles were strong, acting as independent entities and a team in tandem. They're unlike anything he's witnessed and-
The improvements have been vast. Maruki is a decent student with a powerful will who-
Has been holding back.
And suddenly, he's irate - arms folding over his chest and his eyes falling back to his plate of half eaten food. ]
[ Maruki watches the wave of reactions from Akechi with great interest, because–
There is still so much that he doesn't understand. About Azathoth, about combat, about the specifics of moving through the cognitive world. Palace.
But he knows just enough to understand that his experience is not typical. Sure, Akechi has told him that he's new to this, that he only has anecdotal evidence about a few other cases, and that for all they know, perhaps Maruki's circumstances aren't as strange as they seem. Maruki believes about half of that on a good day. It was accepted at face value in the labyrinth, in that moment of sudden crystal clarity as his experience was dragged out into the light and validated, but it's been tested since.
Akechi is an incredibly good liar, and if Maruki were anyone but who he is, he would get away with it. No one knows how to recognize lies like another who deals so deftly in them. By that same token, he knows Akechi likely sees through more of his lies than he lets on.
Somehow, it isn't irritating, or frustrating, or worrisome. It only serves to strengthen Maruki's trust in him, as an ally and a friend.
His persona should not be able to do some of the things it does. He should not be as powerful as he is with so little experience under his belt. He is abnormal, and Akechi sees it, and he's about to engage with it directly.
Good.
And in the midst of it all: That rare laugh, that sincere burst of praise.
There is a space in his chest that only Akechi occupies, whether he's aware of it or not. It goes bright-white-hot then, flaring intensely enough that the space remains comfortably warm even when the moment passes. It won't be fully extinguished any time soon, no matter what else transpires between them. Someone who knows more about their shared abilities than him – someone whose will and convictions are as powerfully strong as his own – someone who never walks behind him anymore, only ever slightly in front or at his side – someone who has never thought him weak, who has in fact only encouraged his strength – someone who guides him with a hand that's anything but gentle but twice as effective – is openly, earnestly proud of his efforts. Of him.
Maruki Will Remember That.
And then, as suddenly as it appears, it passes and is replaced with a dozen more brewing micro-expressions before Akechi begins to stand.
Maruki's eyebrows raise up past his flop of fringe. ]
Keeping in mind that this ordeal ended a couple hours ago, are you sure this will be a fair fight on my end? Azathoth might be tired.
Then eat your spaghetti while you fight and gain your stamina back.
[The comment sounds like a joke - eat your spaghetti and get out here - but it's not. Like LeBlanc's curry, it should help. Any sort of caloric intake does. Because guess what? This doesn't end tonight - Akechi will be ready to challenge him again in the coming week after he's had ample opportunity to rest.
He strides over to wherever the back door is - impatient and with a wave of his hand to hurry Maruki along.]
If you were holding back on me this whole time, I'll never forgive you.
[In reality, the powers likely grew without his knowledge, given how little the man knows about his own abilities. Items impossible for even Akechi and his experience to glean. The early moments are difficult alone, less strenuous with a guiding force to assist. He saw the extreme growth with the Phantom Thieves and-
It's nowhere near this level. Akechi wants to feel it - attack after attack after attack.]
This is your chance to show me what you can truly do - I'll expect nothing less than your best effort. Fight like you're planning to turn me into the same rot as that pathetic Knight.
I'M SO SORRY I WILL RESPECT THIS NEW "SATURDAY" RULE GOING FORWARD
[ Incredible to think that not but half an hour ago, he was ready to skip dinner and go straight to bed for the foreseeable future.
Maruki stands at once.
And it was strange advice, but– he glances at the remnants of his dinner. Thinks of how long he's been running on fumes. Thinks of how the two people he trusts most in Somnius are the two who know, and there's almost no reason to be so anxious that anyone else will find out.
So, sure. Second dinner during battle. Why not? As he speaks, he goes around the bar into the kitchen, pours what's left of the spaghetti in the pan into a bowl and grabs a new napkin, new chopsticks. ]
Akechi. I haven't been holding back on you, and I never would. I respect you more than that. Anything I'm about to show you, I learned tonight. Hours ago. Please keep that in mind.
[ And then, as he joins Akechi on the walk to the front door and out around the castle, he opens his mouth to start another thought before it abruptly snaps closed, his expression twisting into disgust.
He looks at Akechi sidelong. ]
I was about to say we shouldn't do this where anyone from the other castles could see, and suggest that we go to the woods, but.
[Spaghetti acquired - good. Maruki's moving without complaint or an attempt to circumvent this training session. Compliant over this simple request a few feet from their rooms. No long walks back to a castle before the sun rises, full of tempered exhaustion. That's a small blessing for both of them.
Akechi plans to run through every attack until Maruki understands what 'running on fumes' truly means.]
I believe you, but I expect to see every skill you learned. I want to experience the power that took down the Green Knight with my own two eyes.
[The forest comment -
Earns a sidelong look back before his eyes turn towards the treeline - a sight he can hardly stomach. Does he even need to say anything? They're in complete and total agreement.]
Maybe one of the trees will be on Sleepr next month.
A flicker of disgust apparent in the singular moment he mentions it before it collapses into a feigned neutrality. Maruki sounding every bit impressed and pleased with her contribution. Her fighting prowess is something to witness, and he only saw a few pieces of her strength in that dungeon. The full extent must be another thing entirely.
His phone is flipped open in an instant - Venat's username written, a message being typed out with his thumb. She wanted to talk so bad before, why not take advantage. The ever so kind, ever willing to lend a ear Venat and-]
And then he remembers this is a slightly more serious situation than all that. ]
Ah, her involvement isn't confidential like mine is, but I also don't know that she's going to advertise anything.
[ A little shrug. He has no idea. Will Night Sky put both of them on blast on the network whenever she comes back to her senses enough to do so? Will Venat answer honestly if anyone asks? Genuinely, Maruki has no idea, but it probably wouldn't be wise for either him or Akechi to be the ones to press that boundary first and find out. Better to sit back and observe. ]
It will be interesting to see where the chips fall as everyone returns to their idea of normalcy, I suppose.
[ And with that, they've arrived at the large clearing behind the castle, partially obscured from view by the hill Vash likes to sit and watch the stars on. It's as private as they'll be able to get while still remaining close to home. Maruki shifts the spaghetti bowl from left hand to right along with his chopsticks and calls forth Azathoth with a now well-practiced wave.
For a moment Maruki looks at it, presses his left palm against the golden chassis, as if to check to be sure this really is alright. Then looks to Akechi with a bright smile. ]
How would you like to begin, Akechi-senpai?
[ You're dragging him outside for round two of the fight of his life? Get teased a little for it, idiot. ]
Vanishes the second he hears Akechi-senpai. It's so outlandish and ridiculous that all his ire escapes with a barely held back scoff. Bizarre. Weird. It elicits a sensation between amusement and-
It doesn't matter.
Because he begins with an unrelenting flurry of attacks. Intense and without regard to Maruki's earlier battle. This time -
Akechi is learning, not teaching. New physical attacks bruise - a status boost somewhere in there. A tentacle always nearby ready to heal - a realization that such an ability is abnormal in itself. Attacking with this power, to immediately heal seconds after through sheer force of will is-
Incredible. Exciting. Annoying. Irritating. The dual power - no, more than that. It's novel. A league of his own. Almighty attacks hit him 10 times in a row, exhaust him, a tentacle heals him and he's fine.
At some point, Akechi barks to stop healing him. Maruki relents with slurp of spaghetti. He doesn't need the pity - he wants every bit of pain, every bit of force, understand that monster in front of him that Akechi will have to sick Loki on. Stick a bullet through.
Two particular almighty attacks - one status boost, the other a high damage skill that isn't the one residing in Robin Hood. Akechi can't recall such a vast array of abilities. It's more than normal. His adapt and change with a limit.
How does he deal with someone who doesn't abide by limits?
He does he deal with another Joker?
Maruki is new - these are levels Akechi reached after years of consistent training.
The special ones always seem to excel through sheer talent. It-
Makes him sick.
He attacks again, and again, and again. Requests skills to try dodging high powered almighty attacks. The bless one is a new favorite despite its nullification against Robin Hood. It's a problem in the making for Loki, who will flounder against it. He needs to figure out methods of dodging now and-
This goes on well into the night - until Akechi finally relents with his own depleted stamina, a silent wave indicating he's ready to be healed, though it doesn't stop the bone deep fatigue creeping through every muscle. Heart pounding with an overwhelming thump, thump, thump in his ears.
That was exhausting.
Exciting.
Fun.
Like having a rival again.
He doesn't think about it. Lays with his back against the grass to catch his breath while the healtacle does its sacred duty.]
My, what an array you turned out to have. To think that was just under the surface and all it took was some twisted arboretum to pull it out.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
What an anticlimax it must be to everyone but two. Three, including Sky, who surely knows. He should check on her, but–
He sits next to Akechi at the bar, half his own plate already eaten by the time he arrived, the other half suddenly unappealing as the conversation goes exactly where he knew it would go.
A hesitation that he's too tired to hide. Akechi will see it, he knows. ]
No, no one's told me anything about it.
[ Not a lie, actually.
A long sip of water.
Glasses removed to clean against his button down. There's a crack along a top corner of the left lens from where he was struck by tree shrapnel. The only visible sign of physical wear.
He looks over at Akechi, blurred even only a foot away from him. ]
What about you?
[ They weren't exactly quiet or subtle. Anyone could have seen or heard, posted on the network asking what the hell was up with the light show of cosmic proportions. Maruki hasn't checked. He feels sick just thinking about the possibility of someone inquiring. ]
no subject
[There's no reluctance in his own voice, despite the blatant lie. His gaze settles on Maruki - a man unguarded, but hesitant in his words and actions.
That's interesting.
They're both liars with their own mission, but mutually beneficial information is easily spilled from both their lips. All exchanges meant to facilitate their common goal - a shared desire to return to reality.
Maruki's exhausted. From a battle, maybe. A normal enthralled may be overpowering for him with his newly gained, strange, and largely unknown abilities. Strong or not, he doesn't have years of stamina behind him.
Akechi twirls spaghetti around his chopsticks - mindless and without a single bite. A swirl that becomes a mini pasta tornado decoration at the edge of his plate, before he plucks some mushrooms to chew on instead.]
Ah, but you may be too tired to hear it.
[A crack on his glasses, slumped more than normal - looking at him, but barely.
How obvious could he be. After months of spending so much time together-
Akechi's almost insulted.]
That's too bad.
no subject
It starts as a small smile, the inside of one cheek bitten to try to contain it before it blooms across his face anyway, followed by a breathless laugh, like it's been punched out of him.
He turns to Akechi fully then. ]
No, I'm fine. My circadian rhythm is messed up, but aside from that, I feel good.
[ Also not a lie. Beneath the layers of exhaustion, he does.
Venat was right. It was a magnificent fight. He had fun. ]
My apologies. What did you hear?
no subject
[Full attention, Akechi has a decision to make-
He doesn't have shit. Maruki isn't forthcoming, but that doesn't mean unwilling - it's a matter of needling it out of him and Akechi has energy for that in spades.
Another mushroom - they're pretty good. He takes his sweet ass time to chew it before speaking again.]
Wouldn't it be interesting if I said someone had seen you in the midst of a battle?
[A huge, gigantic ass lie through the skin of his teeth. Any moot attempt at a fight wouldn't have ended in victory, though he's sure the man could've landed a decent number of hits to wear it down.
In any event, he's just trying to rile him up. He doesn't wait for a reaction and takes a bite out of his earlier pasta tornado masterpiece.]
I'm kidding, of course. [A napkin pats at his mouth again.] But I wonder who took it down in full. To think there's a power to destroy a cognition at its source and rip away a world that had taken over at its hinges. It's all fascinating.
GLASSES RETCON FOR GREAT ROMANTIC JUSTICE
This little shit.
Maruki watches him taking those delicate little bites of pasta, weighs his options. Considers messing with him, addressing any of his fascinations using vague terms to continue stringing him along. Considers going the opposite route and stating it plainly, with no presupposition whatsoever.
As he so often does, Maruki chooses the middle ground.
Every ounce of his energy fights to keep his tone mildly curious, as if they're discussing a harmless piece of gossip gleaned from the network. ]
Ah, can I ask who told you that? I'd like to chat with them to ensure they don't spread that to anyone else.
[ If Akechi looks – and he will look – he'll see the slightest hint of teasing mischief alight in Maruki's tired eyes. ]
Anything FOR THE ROMCOM OF GODS
Things are back to normal in every capacity. A world shifting back in the slow manner it tends to. The playful banter overtaking exhaustion. It's amusing only because Maruki bites back every time.
His focus returns to the plate and the phone face up beside him - a quick glance at the latter revealing no updates. Typical. Irritating. ]
My apologies. I signed a confidentiality agreement with my sources - I'm sure you understand. You can try to bug my phone to find out though - I would welcome the challenge.
[He even slides it his direction with an elbow - no spaghetti sauce is getting on his shit. ]
no subject
He slides the phone back and resumes picking at his own plate now that his stomach is twisted into less severe knots. A bite, a dab of his own napkin, a hum of consideration. ]
Those confidentiality agreements are tricky things. Sometimes people still think they're entitled to know what information is protected by them. But then again...
[ Bite, chew, swallow. He can't taste any of it as adrenaline floods his system anew. ]
If there's a third party who has proven themselves trustworthy to an ironclad degree, perhaps it's okay to occasionally share the burden of some confidential information with them.
[ The lightly joking tone is slightly pointed now.
Come on, Detective Prince, you can get this one. ]
no subject
[The phone settles back near his elbow, a smile present on his face. He could really wait out the information - some braggart will come forth themself or through second hand information. But those words confirm-
What he already knew. Maruki isn't ignorant to victor of that fight - not that Akechi can narrow down the suspect pool beyond that. The kind hearted counselor, unfortunately, is friendly with far too many.]
People think interrogations are one sided, and they can be with the most vile of criminals, but oftentimes they work as negotiations. You provide information, they confirm or deny. They provide information, and you offer downgrades in penalties or protection.
The truth is most important, after all - not the gains and losses in a discussion in search of it.
[The notebook comes out from his pocket with a pen - a small paper bit of paper is torn off and Akechi writes something on it. Folds it. Places it under a palm that now rests against the table, while he switches to eat with his right hand with ease.]
I've written a valuable piece of information on this paper - one you will be deeply interested in as a cognitive psience researcher.
[BAIT, DANGLED.]
So why don't you tell me who defeated the Green Knight?
no subject
[ He's just playing with his food at this point. It's deeply indulgent.
Not the spaghetti, of course. Maruki takes a couple final bites, still about a quarter left, before gently pushing the plate aside and leaning an elbow on the bar to turn toward Akechi, eyes on that paper, then on him. ]
I'm about to tell you regardless.
[ If Akechi's searching for a lie, he won't find it there. That promise is entirely truthful. ]
However, show me what's on the paper first. Even if you're bullshitting me with an empty offer and it says nothing important, I'll still tell you.
[ But Mamaruki will be D I S A P P O I N T E D ]
no subject
Akechi's own plate forgotten in this exchange, he turns to look at the man in full. The paper also has something he was planning to tell Maruki anyway. It's of no loss to give it up and he gains the intel he wants. Maruki is a liar, but not in the blatant way Akechi is. Even he recognizes the differences. The man is full of half truths and disarming care that can make a person forget their original intent. Akechi warps the origin and lies through his teeth to distort.
With a smile, he pulls his hand back. Should Maruki grab it and look, he will find one word-
"Palace"]
Now if you wouldn't mind, please give me your answer. I won't wait a second more. If necessary, I'll keep it a secret, but I would like to know who to keep my eye on here.
no subject
Hm.
Whatever that is, it's not nothing.
Maruki smiles, folds it back up and slides it into one of his pockets. ]
Thank you. I'm sure we'll discuss that later.
[ Akechi's instincts are more than valid. They would be Maruki's instincts too if he wasn't in the situation he's in. He would be exploiting the myriad connections he's formed here to obtain the information quickly, share it with Akechi readily, so that they may both be better informed.
Fortunately for Akechi, he already has an eye on the culprit, so it shouldn't be too much more work heaped onto his plate.
Maruki looks at him, all of that playful cat and mouse teasing dropped away in favor of purely earnest honesty, and there is not a single drop of ego in the factual statement: ]
You were right, actually. It was me.
[ A beat, and then one corner of his lips does quirk upward, fond. ]
And Venat. The two of us.
[ God help him. ]
Aside from her– and, I assume, Night Sky– you're the only one who will know about my involvement. I don't have a single doubt that you'll keep that secret.
1/?? we'll see it's about to get wild up in here
And Venat. The two of us.
Akechi waits for the shoe to drop. For Maruki's expression to shift back into same one worn during the playful back and forth. He'll be pissed off, sure, but it's better than this.
He waits.
And waits.
And-
He's distinctly aware of the sharp 'ting' his chopsticks make when gravity claims victory over his hand and the tips hit the plate. ]
no subject
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One similar to the sound that ripped from his throat in a forgotten city, as Maruki slashed the neck of that beast.
It's pure. Genuine. Not directed his way, but because of him.]
The enemy was wiped out because you? Pretty damn good, Maruki. I'm impressed. You truly are remarkable.
[It's incredible the sheer amount of power behind that persona - one he can reasonably assumed is as nerfed as his own is-
Troubling. The sudden intensity of it washing over him wave after wave after wave. The general mirth lost when he wipes at his eyes, neutral expression returning.
Maruki and Venat did it? He can't believe.
Can.
Is suddenly-]
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She is strong. Powerful. Taking on the Green Knight is a task she is well equipped for.
Maruki is strong. Powerful. Taking on the Green Knight is a task he was prepared for.
Both of them managing a feat like that is troubling. Akechi, by all reason, should have been able to handle a fucking palace ruler's bullshit. That's all the Green Knight was and Night Sky its source.
He couldn't manage to put a notable dent in either, bullet shaped or otherwise.
Maruki killed the Green Knight and Akechi-
Watches him again. Searching for something - thinking back on past trainings, battles, observances and situations. The tentacles were strong, acting as independent entities and a team in tandem. They're unlike anything he's witnessed and-
The improvements have been vast. Maruki is a decent student with a powerful will who-
Has been holding back.
And suddenly, he's irate - arms folding over his chest and his eyes falling back to his plate of half eaten food. ]
END
We're going out back. Now.
BLISSFUL SIGH
There is still so much that he doesn't understand. About Azathoth, about combat, about the specifics of moving through the cognitive world. Palace.
But he knows just enough to understand that his experience is not typical. Sure, Akechi has told him that he's new to this, that he only has anecdotal evidence about a few other cases, and that for all they know, perhaps Maruki's circumstances aren't as strange as they seem. Maruki believes about half of that on a good day. It was accepted at face value in the labyrinth, in that moment of sudden crystal clarity as his experience was dragged out into the light and validated, but it's been tested since.
Akechi is an incredibly good liar, and if Maruki were anyone but who he is, he would get away with it. No one knows how to recognize lies like another who deals so deftly in them. By that same token, he knows Akechi likely sees through more of his lies than he lets on.
Somehow, it isn't irritating, or frustrating, or worrisome. It only serves to strengthen Maruki's trust in him, as an ally and a friend.
His persona should not be able to do some of the things it does. He should not be as powerful as he is with so little experience under his belt. He is abnormal, and Akechi sees it, and he's about to engage with it directly.
Good.
And in the midst of it all: That rare laugh, that sincere burst of praise.
There is a space in his chest that only Akechi occupies, whether he's aware of it or not. It goes bright-white-hot then, flaring intensely enough that the space remains comfortably warm even when the moment passes. It won't be fully extinguished any time soon, no matter what else transpires between them. Someone who knows more about their shared abilities than him – someone whose will and convictions are as powerfully strong as his own – someone who never walks behind him anymore, only ever slightly in front or at his side – someone who has never thought him weak, who has in fact only encouraged his strength – someone who guides him with a hand that's anything but gentle but twice as effective – is openly, earnestly proud of his efforts. Of him.
Maruki Will Remember That.
And then, as suddenly as it appears, it passes and is replaced with a dozen more brewing micro-expressions before Akechi begins to stand.
Maruki's eyebrows raise up past his flop of fringe. ]
Keeping in mind that this ordeal ended a couple hours ago, are you sure this will be a fair fight on my end? Azathoth might be tired.
[ It isn't. ]
it's SATURDAY how COULD YOU
[The comment sounds like a joke - eat your spaghetti and get out here - but it's not. Like LeBlanc's curry, it should help. Any sort of caloric intake does. Because guess what? This doesn't end tonight - Akechi will be ready to challenge him again in the coming week after he's had ample opportunity to rest.
He strides over to wherever the back door is - impatient and with a wave of his hand to hurry Maruki along.]
If you were holding back on me this whole time, I'll never forgive you.
[In reality, the powers likely grew without his knowledge, given how little the man knows about his own abilities. Items impossible for even Akechi and his experience to glean. The early moments are difficult alone, less strenuous with a guiding force to assist. He saw the extreme growth with the Phantom Thieves and-
It's nowhere near this level. Akechi wants to feel it - attack after attack after attack.]
This is your chance to show me what you can truly do - I'll expect nothing less than your best effort. Fight like you're planning to turn me into the same rot as that pathetic Knight.
I'M SO SORRY I WILL RESPECT THIS NEW "SATURDAY" RULE GOING FORWARD
Maruki stands at once.
And it was strange advice, but– he glances at the remnants of his dinner. Thinks of how long he's been running on fumes. Thinks of how the two people he trusts most in Somnius are the two who know, and there's almost no reason to be so anxious that anyone else will find out.
So, sure. Second dinner during battle. Why not? As he speaks, he goes around the bar into the kitchen, pours what's left of the spaghetti in the pan into a bowl and grabs a new napkin, new chopsticks. ]
Akechi. I haven't been holding back on you, and I never would. I respect you more than that. Anything I'm about to show you, I learned tonight. Hours ago. Please keep that in mind.
[ And then, as he joins Akechi on the walk to the front door and out around the castle, he opens his mouth to start another thought before it abruptly snaps closed, his expression twisting into disgust.
He looks at Akechi sidelong. ]
I was about to say we shouldn't do this where anyone from the other castles could see, and suggest that we go to the woods, but.
[ A short, sharp shake of his head. ]
No.
GOD
Akechi plans to run through every attack until Maruki understands what 'running on fumes' truly means.]
I believe you, but I expect to see every skill you learned. I want to experience the power that took down the Green Knight with my own two eyes.
[The forest comment -
Earns a sidelong look back before his eyes turn towards the treeline - a sight he can hardly stomach. Does he even need to say anything? They're in complete and total agreement.]
Maybe one of the trees will be on Sleepr next month.
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[ Without missing a beat. There's a fire in Maruki now. He wants to see every skill? Fine.
Besides– he can direct the Tentacle of Healing to aid Akechi and Robin Hood if things get too dire before he's run through every skill.
But there is one thing. ]
I should clarify something before we get too distracted. While Venat and I fought side by side, the final killing blow was hers.
[ Oh, there is absolutely no hiding the intense pride, awe, and Something Else in his tone at that statement. ]
1/2
Her name-
A flicker of disgust apparent in the singular moment he mentions it before it collapses into a feigned neutrality. Maruki sounding every bit impressed and pleased with her contribution. Her fighting prowess is something to witness, and he only saw a few pieces of her strength in that dungeon. The full extent must be another thing entirely.
His phone is flipped open in an instant - Venat's username written, a message being typed out with his thumb. She wanted to talk so bad before, why not take advantage. The ever so kind, ever willing to lend a ear Venat and-]
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In a voice light, pitched high - as if the tone itself can override every negative feeling he has about her.]
I've witnessed her in battle once. It was impressive, so I'm not surprised. It's fortunate you were with such a capable partner.
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Yes, it truly was fortunate.
[ Complete with a happy little sigh.
And then he remembers this is a slightly more serious situation than all that. ]
Ah, her involvement isn't confidential like mine is, but I also don't know that she's going to advertise anything.
[ A little shrug. He has no idea. Will Night Sky put both of them on blast on the network whenever she comes back to her senses enough to do so? Will Venat answer honestly if anyone asks? Genuinely, Maruki has no idea, but it probably wouldn't be wise for either him or Akechi to be the ones to press that boundary first and find out. Better to sit back and observe. ]
It will be interesting to see where the chips fall as everyone returns to their idea of normalcy, I suppose.
[ And with that, they've arrived at the large clearing behind the castle, partially obscured from view by the hill Vash likes to sit and watch the stars on. It's as private as they'll be able to get while still remaining close to home. Maruki shifts the spaghetti bowl from left hand to right along with his chopsticks and calls forth Azathoth with a now well-practiced wave.
For a moment Maruki looks at it, presses his left palm against the golden chassis, as if to check to be sure this really is alright. Then looks to Akechi with a bright smile. ]
How would you like to begin, Akechi-senpai?
[ You're dragging him outside for round two of the fight of his life? Get teased a little for it, idiot. ]
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Vanishes the second he hears Akechi-senpai. It's so outlandish and ridiculous that all his ire escapes with a barely held back scoff. Bizarre. Weird. It elicits a sensation between amusement and-
It doesn't matter.
Because he begins with an unrelenting flurry of attacks. Intense and without regard to Maruki's earlier battle. This time -
Akechi is learning, not teaching. New physical attacks bruise - a status boost somewhere in there. A tentacle always nearby ready to heal - a realization that such an ability is abnormal in itself. Attacking with this power, to immediately heal seconds after through sheer force of will is-
Incredible. Exciting. Annoying. Irritating. The dual power - no, more than that. It's novel. A league of his own. Almighty attacks hit him 10 times in a row, exhaust him, a tentacle heals him and he's fine.
At some point, Akechi barks to stop healing him. Maruki relents with slurp of spaghetti. He doesn't need the pity - he wants every bit of pain, every bit of force, understand that monster in front of him that Akechi will have to sick Loki on. Stick a bullet through.
Two particular almighty attacks - one status boost, the other a high damage skill that isn't the one residing in Robin Hood. Akechi can't recall such a vast array of abilities. It's more than normal. His adapt and change with a limit.
How does he deal with someone who doesn't abide by limits?
He does he deal with another Joker?
Maruki is new - these are levels Akechi reached after years of consistent training.
The special ones always seem to excel through sheer talent. It-
Makes him sick.
He attacks again, and again, and again. Requests skills to try dodging high powered almighty attacks. The bless one is a new favorite despite its nullification against Robin Hood. It's a problem in the making for Loki, who will flounder against it. He needs to figure out methods of dodging now and-
This goes on well into the night - until Akechi finally relents with his own depleted stamina, a silent wave indicating he's ready to be healed, though it doesn't stop the bone deep fatigue creeping through every muscle. Heart pounding with an overwhelming thump, thump, thump in his ears.
That was exhausting.
Exciting.
Fun.
Like having a rival again.
He doesn't think about it. Lays with his back against the grass to catch his breath while the healtacle does its sacred duty.]
My, what an array you turned out to have. To think that was just under the surface and all it took was some twisted arboretum to pull it out.
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deranged about this. bye