[ 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.
[ It is much, much easier to command Azathoth than the previous battle.
Obviously. It is only training, after all. Maruki isn't juggling fear for his own life, fear for Night Sky's, supporting an ally, dodging not only the Knight but his minions and his complete control of their terrain. He can focus solely on Azathoth's attacks and when to heal, until he's told not to.
But a significant portion of this fortified sense of guidance must also be chalked up to the special brand of practice forged in a trial by fire – adapt or perish, learn or cede control. Azathoth is strong because you are, not the other way around, circling endlessly in the moments that he had to spare for conscious thought. Part of what Akechi is experiencing, he helped to cause. It's poetic, really.
Which is to say, this really doesn't take much effort on Maruki's part. He stands aside Azathoth, munching on his spaghetti, enjoying the thrill of making sense of the primordial chaos pounding in his temples with most of his mind and thinking back on the aftermath of the battle with a smaller part. The attacks batter Akechi; he doesn't stop demanding more.
Until he does.
When the Tentacle of Healing has finished its work, Maruki silently recalls Azathoth – a sensation seeping down the back of his head almost like a warm hum of contentment – and crosses over to crouch next to Akechi, prone on the grass. ]
I'm as surprised as you are. Who knows? Maybe if it hadn't been my friend brainwashed, and instead someone else entirely, I wouldn't have discovered all of this.
[ While it's said somewhat lightly, it's not a jest. Maruki's fury would not have been the same if this had happened to another dreamer he wasn't close with. One to whom he never promised safety from their cognitions. ]
[He's so goddamn tired - the endless barrage of severe and heavy skills unbelievable. When his brain is more functional, the implications and connections will be easier to make. It's a problem, but-
He can see, easily, how the Green Knight was felled.]
But isn't that a bit too cliche? The power of friendship allowing you to search deep within yourself to gain new abilities to save the day.
[That's a Featherman episode, Maruki.
Multiple episodes. The entire season one, actually - mental clips he runs through out of habit of it being mentioned. His mind is a series of TikToks right now.
The grass is nice and when he shuts his eyes, the trees are gone. Good. Fuck nature, for awhile. The silence that follows could almost be mistaken for him falling asleep, when he abruptly moves, eyes peeling open, to push himself up from the ground. ]
However, if you consider the grief involved with a lost friend, whether their death was traditional or of the mind, it makes an incredible amount of sense. Loss is a powerful driving force. It can make you do things you never thought you were capable of.
[ Like with Aubrey shoving herself up too fast after being healed, Maruki reaches out to steady one of Akechi's shoulders. Only briefly, lightly. He knows Akechi has much more experience pushing his own boundaries, but still.
As for the rest of that, well– ]
Not the power of friendship. The power of grief, yes. That's what I was getting at.
[ It's said quietly, plainly. Maruki is exhausted too; there's no real deep well of sentiment behind it. They already saw one another's memories. If he can begin to guess, he's sure Akechi can too.
And then, after a moment, he tacks onto that thought. ]
The woman you saw. Azathoth's voice first made itself known to me on the day that I lost her.
[ It was the reason he lost her. ]
It's– I don't want to discuss it now, we both need sleep. I'm only telling you because I want you to know where... all of that stems from.
[ A vague gesture with his free hand at all of that, and then he rubs it against his forehead, huffs a worn out laugh. ]
I guess, anyway. I certainly never intended to fight with it, but here we are.
[The day I lost her with the brutal image of a bloodied home - the woman's corpse wasn't among the strewn bodies in that house, but that doesn't mean she wasn't there. Doesn't mean something else didn't happen to her.
It's sobering and even as he presses his palms against his eyes to wake himself up for the few steps into the castle -
He notes it.
Azathoth's power still doesn't make sense, but-
It becomes clear why Maruki is able to wield it with such ferocity - how he's able to withstand the physical pain of battle and meet problems head on with anguish so close to his heart.]
I see.
[Is all he says - an acknowledgement. Akechi won't forget and he will prod this topic in the future. For a second, he almost mentions his own mother. The water's memory already fuzzy and lost to his own desire to remember a corpse and-
He wishes he had kept his eyes on her face a little longer.
Another few seconds pass and up he goes, standing up with a big stretch of his arms over his head - exhausted and refreshed in equal measure.]
For the record, I'm happy you're fighting with Azathoth and the world forced your hand. I would have been fairly bored without something powerful to train against.
[ Part of the reason why he felt comfortable saying it now – saying it at all, but especially now – is because he knew Akechi wouldn't press.
And he doesn't. Maybe he will in the future, but for now, they're on the same page. I see is exactly the response he wanted to hear, and he breathes a little sigh of relief before he stands as well. He's not quite as refreshed as Akechi is, but there is some contented thrill of battle underlying his exhaustion, and his smile reaches his eyes, genuine. ]
In a way, I am as well. God only knows how I would have come to understand this sort of power on my own back home. I'm truly grateful for you, Akechi.
[ A gentle pat on the back, between his shoulder blades, where Maruki hauled him by his shirt so many times over the past couple weeks. What a time it's been. ]
[It's impossible to stop how his body takes that praise and grasps it like a lifeline for a sinking man.
He hears it, often. In the midst of Shido's dimly lit office after a psychotic break or mental shutdown. Murder. The gut wrenching desire to puke overwhelmed by a need to hear-
He was needed. Wanted. Kept around because he was finally valuable
Shido needs him. Shido praises him. Akechi will kill him.
He hears it now. In the midst of a dimly lit yard that feels more ethereal than real some days, by someone's whose praise is stated in a tone so genuine-
He almost believes it. That he's needed. Wanted. Kept around because his value goes beyond what he can offer.
Maruki needs him. Maruki praises him. Akechi will kill him someday.
He offers a small smile - starts moving back to the castle doors with a slight wave of his hand.]
Of course - I'm only happy fortune brought us together, so you didn't need to experience it alone. Although -
[He's fucking hungry.]
You can sleep. I'm going to finish my plate before bed. I'm quite hungry tonight - maybe it's from all the exercise.
[ Maruki falls in step alongside him, watches him for a moment. He's tired enough that there are words on the tip of his tongue that otherwise wouldn't be.
If Akechi is to be believed, then he is also new to the cognitive world and to his persona. All evidence he has of other users in anecdotal. He has been going at this alone, and not for very long.
If he peeks through the tiny holes that have begun to be poked through Akechi's story, the details change. His understanding of cognitive psience, that jagged and winding map of the collective unconscious, his brutal efficiency with Robin Hood, his phenomenal pain tolerance, Palace.
Add onto what Maruki knows from half a year spent watching Akira and his friends so closely, and the holes grow. He already suspected they were utilizing similar methods as his own as a means of altering their targets' cognitions – those changes of heart. It hadn't made much sense before now, beyond the shared basis of the principles of cognitive psience.
Now that he knows it's his persona that makes that possible – now that he knows these cognitive worlds do exist, can literally be accessed – now that he feels certain Akira and the rest of the Phantom Thieves must be persona users too, entering those cognitive realms and doing battle against such wounded, distorted people–
Where does that leave Akechi?
Not as a member of their group. Not only because of his stance against them in the media, but simply because Maruki has watched closely, and he hasn't once seen evidence of Akechi's ties to that group.
So either he's new to this and he's been alone, or he's not new to this and he's still alone. The details are almost irrelevant when he knows the end result is likely the same.
Perhaps the fortune that Akechi speaks about brought them together so that neither of them need to experience it alone. ]
Next time we'll both bring our dinners outside.
[ Or snacks. He already needs to make a trip to the crystal for Vil, and he has an idea.
Maruki scrubs a hand through his hair, yawns. ]
Before I decided I was going after the Green Knight, today was supposed to be a day like any other down at the lake, so I had prepared my usual supplies. There's an assortment of sandwiches and cut fruit in the refrigerator. Please help yourself.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
Obviously. It is only training, after all. Maruki isn't juggling fear for his own life, fear for Night Sky's, supporting an ally, dodging not only the Knight but his minions and his complete control of their terrain. He can focus solely on Azathoth's attacks and when to heal, until he's told not to.
But a significant portion of this fortified sense of guidance must also be chalked up to the special brand of practice forged in a trial by fire – adapt or perish, learn or cede control. Azathoth is strong because you are, not the other way around, circling endlessly in the moments that he had to spare for conscious thought. Part of what Akechi is experiencing, he helped to cause. It's poetic, really.
Which is to say, this really doesn't take much effort on Maruki's part. He stands aside Azathoth, munching on his spaghetti, enjoying the thrill of making sense of the primordial chaos pounding in his temples with most of his mind and thinking back on the aftermath of the battle with a smaller part. The attacks batter Akechi; he doesn't stop demanding more.
Until he does.
When the Tentacle of Healing has finished its work, Maruki silently recalls Azathoth – a sensation seeping down the back of his head almost like a warm hum of contentment – and crosses over to crouch next to Akechi, prone on the grass. ]
I'm as surprised as you are. Who knows? Maybe if it hadn't been my friend brainwashed, and instead someone else entirely, I wouldn't have discovered all of this.
[ While it's said somewhat lightly, it's not a jest. Maruki's fury would not have been the same if this had happened to another dreamer he wasn't close with. One to whom he never promised safety from their cognitions. ]
You look as exhausted as I feel.
no subject
[He's so goddamn tired - the endless barrage of severe and heavy skills unbelievable. When his brain is more functional, the implications and connections will be easier to make. It's a problem, but-
He can see, easily, how the Green Knight was felled.]
But isn't that a bit too cliche? The power of friendship allowing you to search deep within yourself to gain new abilities to save the day.
[That's a Featherman episode, Maruki.
Multiple episodes. The entire season one, actually - mental clips he runs through out of habit of it being mentioned. His mind is a series of TikToks right now.
The grass is nice and when he shuts his eyes, the trees are gone. Good. Fuck nature, for awhile. The silence that follows could almost be mistaken for him falling asleep, when he abruptly moves, eyes peeling open, to push himself up from the ground. ]
However, if you consider the grief involved with a lost friend, whether their death was traditional or of the mind, it makes an incredible amount of sense. Loss is a powerful driving force. It can make you do things you never thought you were capable of.
no subject
[ Like with Aubrey shoving herself up too fast after being healed, Maruki reaches out to steady one of Akechi's shoulders. Only briefly, lightly. He knows Akechi has much more experience pushing his own boundaries, but still.
As for the rest of that, well– ]
Not the power of friendship. The power of grief, yes. That's what I was getting at.
[ It's said quietly, plainly. Maruki is exhausted too; there's no real deep well of sentiment behind it. They already saw one another's memories. If he can begin to guess, he's sure Akechi can too.
And then, after a moment, he tacks onto that thought. ]
The woman you saw. Azathoth's voice first made itself known to me on the day that I lost her.
[ It was the reason he lost her. ]
It's– I don't want to discuss it now, we both need sleep. I'm only telling you because I want you to know where... all of that stems from.
[ A vague gesture with his free hand at all of that, and then he rubs it against his forehead, huffs a worn out laugh. ]
I guess, anyway. I certainly never intended to fight with it, but here we are.
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It's sobering and even as he presses his palms against his eyes to wake himself up for the few steps into the castle -
He notes it.
Azathoth's power still doesn't make sense, but-
It becomes clear why Maruki is able to wield it with such ferocity - how he's able to withstand the physical pain of battle and meet problems head on with anguish so close to his heart.]
I see.
[Is all he says - an acknowledgement. Akechi won't forget and he will prod this topic in the future. For a second, he almost mentions his own mother. The water's memory already fuzzy and lost to his own desire to remember a corpse and-
He wishes he had kept his eyes on her face a little longer.
Another few seconds pass and up he goes, standing up with a big stretch of his arms over his head - exhausted and refreshed in equal measure.]
For the record, I'm happy you're fighting with Azathoth and the world forced your hand. I would have been fairly bored without something powerful to train against.
[#priorities]
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And he doesn't. Maybe he will in the future, but for now, they're on the same page. I see is exactly the response he wanted to hear, and he breathes a little sigh of relief before he stands as well. He's not quite as refreshed as Akechi is, but there is some contented thrill of battle underlying his exhaustion, and his smile reaches his eyes, genuine. ]
In a way, I am as well. God only knows how I would have come to understand this sort of power on my own back home. I'm truly grateful for you, Akechi.
[ A gentle pat on the back, between his shoulder blades, where Maruki hauled him by his shirt so many times over the past couple weeks. What a time it's been. ]
Let's both get some rest.
no subject
He hears it, often. In the midst of Shido's dimly lit office after a psychotic break or mental shutdown. Murder. The gut wrenching desire to puke overwhelmed by a need to hear-
He was needed. Wanted. Kept around because he was finally valuable
Shido needs him. Shido praises him. Akechi will kill him.
He hears it now. In the midst of a dimly lit yard that feels more ethereal than real some days, by someone's whose praise is stated in a tone so genuine-
He almost believes it. That he's needed. Wanted. Kept around because his value goes beyond what he can offer.
Maruki needs him. Maruki praises him. Akechi will kill him someday.
He offers a small smile - starts moving back to the castle doors with a slight wave of his hand.]
Of course - I'm only happy fortune brought us together, so you didn't need to experience it alone. Although -
[He's fucking hungry.]
You can sleep. I'm going to finish my plate before bed. I'm quite hungry tonight - maybe it's from all the exercise.
deranged about this. bye
If Akechi is to be believed, then he is also new to the cognitive world and to his persona. All evidence he has of other users in anecdotal. He has been going at this alone, and not for very long.
If he peeks through the tiny holes that have begun to be poked through Akechi's story, the details change. His understanding of cognitive psience, that jagged and winding map of the collective unconscious, his brutal efficiency with Robin Hood, his phenomenal pain tolerance, Palace.
Add onto what Maruki knows from half a year spent watching Akira and his friends so closely, and the holes grow. He already suspected they were utilizing similar methods as his own as a means of altering their targets' cognitions – those changes of heart. It hadn't made much sense before now, beyond the shared basis of the principles of cognitive psience.
Now that he knows it's his persona that makes that possible – now that he knows these cognitive worlds do exist, can literally be accessed – now that he feels certain Akira and the rest of the Phantom Thieves must be persona users too, entering those cognitive realms and doing battle against such wounded, distorted people–
Where does that leave Akechi?
Not as a member of their group. Not only because of his stance against them in the media, but simply because Maruki has watched closely, and he hasn't once seen evidence of Akechi's ties to that group.
So either he's new to this and he's been alone, or he's not new to this and he's still alone. The details are almost irrelevant when he knows the end result is likely the same.
Perhaps the fortune that Akechi speaks about brought them together so that neither of them need to experience it alone. ]
Next time we'll both bring our dinners outside.
[ Or snacks. He already needs to make a trip to the crystal for Vil, and he has an idea.
Maruki scrubs a hand through his hair, yawns. ]
Before I decided I was going after the Green Knight, today was supposed to be a day like any other down at the lake, so I had prepared my usual supplies. There's an assortment of sandwiches and cut fruit in the refrigerator. Please help yourself.