LABY - IC INBOX

[enteloki]

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[enteloki]

[Annoyed. Got it.]

Who?

[placation]

Adam Stanheight. I think you've met him?

[enteloki]

I see.

The man who who can turn into a rat and made a network post about eating fruit in the shower?

That Adam, correct?

[He's not LAUGHING.]

[placation]

Yes. That Adam.

He also died in the kaiju city last time.

[enteloki]

[He's SO surprised!]

So you're accompanying him out of pity, I presume? I don't think that man should be entering the labyrinth at all.

[placation]

He's become a friend, and he wants to go. I feel rather protective of him, normal as he is.

So here we are.

[enteloki]

That's your decision, I suppose, and his - foolish as it is.

Perhaps you'll get lucky and get a room you need to eat your way out of. A rat would be suited for such a task.

[placation]

I did consider the cheese room, yes.

When did you meet him as a rat?

[enteloki]

During the Green Knight's takeover. I rescued him and brought him somewhere safe.

[And made a joke about burning down the building with everyone inside but hey!]

That was the extent of our interaction.

[placation]

That was very kind of you. Some might even say princely.

[ And Akechi has no idea that Adam was the victim of a serial killer in his reality. Fun! ]

You're right, though, and like I said, it was a thought I've had too. The more ground we can cover separately, the better.

But one day I'd like to go back in with you.

[enteloki]

[Okay, asshole.]

I would never ignore a person in need - though I would have passed up a random rat had he not spoken. You should talk to him about the way he presents himself to others.

Frankly, the next time we go together will be the time we've found a way out of this mess for good. Otherwise, we need to continue to collect information separately for as long as we can.

[placation]

[ Dude, Ratam is gonna rat regardless of what Maruki or anyone else says. ]

Hm.

What if we took someone else with us? Or multiple someones.

I've been thinking.

[enteloki]

Please share your thoughts.

I'm not opposed to having others come with us, if there's a reason for it.

[placation]

You could argue that everything that happens here is a cognitive manipulation of some kind or another, and I would agree, but aside from the times when aspects of realities merge from others' subconsciouses into this one... the labyrinth is the most blatant example of all.

Manipulations aren't infallible. They can be broken, with enough will.

You're the only person here whose goals align entirely with mine, but there are others who share the same conviction that we do, even if they're less intent on seeing it through than we are. The spirit is still there.

I think there might be merit in gathering together a number of people who are strong, whose resolve bends in the same direction, and seeing if we can't shatter a manipulation.

Thoughts?

[enteloki]

[There's nothing he would love more than to watch this shitty world crumble under his goddamn feet.]

I'm amenable to it. Everything cracks eventually - people, places and cognitions.

I don't believe I've told you this. Palaces often have 'safe rooms' - those are areas free of distortion. They're stable. You can recoup in such places without fear of being attacked or seen.

My thought is to find a place similar - one where a connection is stable to the true reality.

While we may not be in a palace, it stands to reason this could be a viable way to get out.

Let's plan carefully and choose the best time to attempt it. While I have faith in our success, the worst case scenario is we do damage without gaining our freedom. That could incite swift retaliation or revoke our access to labyrinth.

Until we're sure how many are involved behind scenes, we should continue to tread cautiously, but I certainly look forward to the day we attempt it.

[placation]

Safe rooms, huh... What are they like? Aside from what you just said. If they're free of distortion, do they look like the palace, or like something in reality? Can you enter or leave through them?

Good. Agreed. We can plan for it slowly and methodically. I don't mind how long it might take to do so.

[enteloki]

It shifts - often it holds the image of a place in reality and the palace in tandem. They can be difficult to discern at times, as their doorways tend to distort, but some can sense them. Often, you can see them.

Travel around the palace can occur via safe rooms and areas with minimal distortion, like the entrance. It's not a complicated process, however I have difficulty explaining it. It's a matter of perception and changing your viewpoint. I'm sure you understand that much.

[placation]

I do. That's fascinating... Thank you for explaining it. I can only imagine how difficult it is to try to quantify experiences like that into succinct descriptions for someone who's never been there.

Also - I clearly have my own names in mind, but who strikes you as someone who would be useful to bring along if we enact that plan?

[enteloki]

[It's not about trust - it's about goal alignment, overall ability and willpower. The desire and means tear down reality in one fell swoop.

That's all.]

In no particular order -

Eren. Venat. Aubrey. Izutsumi. Vash.

Maki.

[A pause and-]

And perhaps BB - should she be telling the truth.

Though you can imagine where my preferences lie.

[placation]

We have similar lists, although I have to admit I didn't consider dragging Vash into this... but I tend to treat him pretty gently, so that's a failure of my own, not a reflection on him.

BB really is a wildcard! We'll see.

Allow me to add one more-

Dabi.

[enteloki]

No.

[placation]

Explain your reasoning.

[enteloki]

[Akechi fucking hates him.]

Explain yours first, since you're eager to add that loudmouth in.

[placation]

I've spoken to him enough to feel confident in saying he has a stronger resolve than many here. I would even venture so far as to say his willpower is the only reason he's still alive. He has the same goal as we do, the same hatred for complacency, and wouldn't falter.

He hasn't regained his power yet, but when he does, he'll be powerful. Destructive, even.

I'm not trying to convince you of anything if you've seen critical faults of his that I haven't. I'm all ears.

[enteloki]

[If that asshole managed to crack through reality, Akechi's 100% sure that shitty laugh would follow him all the way back to Shido's office.

Akechi reads it - genuinely. Absorbs it. Valid points are made and a rational person would push aside personal vendettas, much like he managed to do with Maki. Shitty, asshole Maki.]

He's an idiot obsessed with murdering his father and nothing else. Every word out of his mouth is spewed recklessly. A toddler with no filter or foresight is a more appropriate description. Do not mistake will with boldness and luck.

You may believe in his abilities, but I'm not so convinced. Taunting and playing games is hardly a skill. Even if he isn't lying, and has the strength to back it up, it's useless when held by someone like that.