An emergency that's growing more dire by the minute. You're truly bad at figuring out and solving problems. Are you sure you should be in this line of work?
My schedule is somewhat busy today - please keep that in mind. I'll come by now, but my visit will be short.
He can be incredibly empathetic, thank you! Sometimes. On a rare occasion and if someone deserves and earns it.
But he does wander over to Eyn Sof - detouring and deviating a couple times to the crystal, to sit at a bench and-
Then he's there! He even knocks in case some pathetic sadsack is crying inside - expression so empathetic and happy. Ever the gracious and kind detective prince.]
Great news: No snivelling patients to be found. Maruki wouldn't have invited him if he had anything on the schedule for the afternoon. If someone drops in, well–
Actually, no. As soon as he lets Akechi in, he's locking the door behind him. No drop-ins. The doctor is out. ]
[No whiners, no other people - the act drops with the click of that lock. An expression morphing and sardonic smile replacing a false one.]
I only wanted to look at it. Were you watching my route the whole time?
[Phone slides out of his pocket and tracking is turned off. Something he forgot to do before leaving. An accidental lapse in care over his privacy - it won't happen again.]
He's deeply interested in this alternative outcome Maruki has concocted in his head. Loki's vicious excitement at the proposal apparent in the almost explosive way the persona lurches out of his body in spiraling column of red light.
Loki is alive with Akechi's call - hovering harmlessly behind Akechi, bored and twirling the large sword with an open palm, instead of standing atop it. Passive, by all accounts.
Akechi lets out a quiet laugh - relief and thrill all at once.
Does nothing beyond that. Simply motions towards Loki with his own open hand.]
[ For a long moment, Maruki only watches from where he stands.
Eventually he gets up to circle around the two of them, eyeing up Loki from all angles. As different as can be from Robin Hood. Louche, aloof, laying in wait.
Its demeanor at rest reminds him of the Akechi that he sees in private now.
Finally, he returns to the desk, sitting lightly on the edge and folding his hands in his lap. ]
Hi, Loki. It's nice to meet you under less volatile circumstances.
[ This feels stupid, but it's a test that needs to be done. ]
Speaks to Loki and he wants to answer by setting that blade alight with an assault against stupidity.
There's no response from his persona. Nothing from Akechi. It continues to twirl the blade with an occasional shift in direction. Left hand always a couple centimeters away from a weapon's hilt.]
What on earth are you doing? It's not going to speak back.
[There's a persistent sensation that always exists with his favored persona - like Akechi's always toeing a cliff's edge, no bottom in sight, and a desire to fly.
No other reaction. No acknowledgement of Maruki. Nothing. It's an extension of his soul, not a being with its own thoughts and feelings.
That's a shame, but most things can be made to cry out with enough effort. Perhaps it needs a different incentive to speak again.
[Loki -
Continues to spin and twirl, despite the not so hidden threat in Akechi's words. It doesn't move to attack. Doesn't change its stance.
And as stupid as this is - personas do talk during awakenings. Make themselves known with that renewed resolve. Akechi remembers a cacophony of distorted voices, contracts and intent clear despite it.]
The strangest sensation, every time. Especially around Akechi, so firmly in the "ally above all others" camp, yet the one that naturally goes up against them most often. In situations like this, though, without any real threat... ]
It recognizes you.
[ How does he begin to explain this. Maruki closes his eyes, exhales slowly, and tries. ]
It's as you told me in the beginning – they're always with us. Even if I didn't summon it, I would be able to feel its recognition of you. Or its response to a possible threat, or...
[ Eren, thanking Azathoth for protecting Maruki from the Green Knight. ]
Gratitude, sometimes.
[ He grimaces, opens his eyes again. A hand comes out to rest on the gleaming golden metal. ]
No, but very little about you or Azathoth is at this point.
[It recognizes you-
It shouldn't.
Maruki should recognize him. Azathoth should work off that realization. It shouldn't have a real, viable personality that contends with its origin. The soul of Maruki Takuto.
A golden gleam under the dim light of the office - it reminds him of that metal helmet that will one day affix to Maruki's face.]
You truly are remarkable.
[Wry, cynical and-
Honest. Sincere.]
But I would advise caution knowing that - two wills won't always align, even if they're born from the same origin.
[Robin Hood and Loki. Different in all ways, but-
Loki wants to fight because Akechi wants to fight.
Robin Hood wants justice because Akechi wants justice.]
Perhaps you're more splintered than you think if a part of your soul became sentient on its own. I wonder what that means.
[Akechi does respect Maruki enough to entertain the notion again - it's not as if he's ever made an attempt to communicate with his own spirit like that.
So he does - tries to feel what Loki does.
It's the same as always - standing on a cliff's edge. I am thou, thou art I - intertwined emotions and sensations. Loki craves destruction because Akechi craves it. No separate will to be found.
With a wave of his hand, a name called, Loki vanishes and Robin Hood takes its place.
Akechi hates it. Makes a three second attempt. Switches back to Loki with a single call.]
[ With all the exasperation his beleaguered middle aged body can hold: ]
The tentacles don't attack. You know this.
[ Ugh. Memory Blow is the weakest attack in its arsenal, good for a quick stunlock, but it runs the risk of turning Akechi too forgetful for this to be of any use. Most everything else would simply wreak massive destruction in such a small space. There is one that's a more concentrated attack without any explosive effects, but it's...
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[ What a surprise! Akechi's being a lazy layabout on top of being an obstinate brat. ]
If you're offering right now, you're welcome to come to Eyn Sof for an emergency.
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An emergency that's growing more dire by the minute. You're truly bad at figuring out and solving problems. Are you sure you should be in this line of work?
My schedule is somewhat busy today - please keep that in mind. I'll come by now, but my visit will be short.
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No, I shouldn't be. With your deduction skills and innate empathy, you'd make a far better counselor than I do.
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He can be incredibly empathetic, thank you! Sometimes. On a rare occasion and if someone deserves and earns it.
But he does wander over to Eyn Sof - detouring and deviating a couple times to the crystal, to sit at a bench and-
Then he's there! He even knocks in case some pathetic sadsack is crying inside - expression so empathetic and happy. Ever the gracious and kind detective prince.]
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THE FUCK
AWAY FROM THAT CRYSTAL
BOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Great news: No snivelling patients to be found. Maruki wouldn't have invited him if he had anything on the schedule for the afternoon. If someone drops in, well–
Actually, no. As soon as he lets Akechi in, he's locking the door behind him. No drop-ins. The doctor is out. ]
Did you wish for a little more homework?
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I only wanted to look at it. Were you watching my route the whole time?
[Phone slides out of his pocket and tracking is turned off. Something he forgot to do before leaving. An accidental lapse in care over his privacy - it won't happen again.]
You need better hobbies.
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He just levels a Look at Akechi as he finishes up putting away updated patient files in the Definitely Normal Box. ]
You can understand my trepidation. You're smart, I'm sure if you think deeply about it, it'll come to you.
[ Little shit. ]
Make yourself comfortable.
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[It would be a damn shame if Hamaon was returned to him after his little glance today.
A damn shame.
He doesn't move. Simply continues to stand in that same spot by the front door, to the side of a couch he's lounged in more times than he can count.]
I'm comfortable here. Are you ready?
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Maruki likes him much better this way.
Definitely Normal Box set aside, he turns and rests his palms on the desk behind him to lean back. ]
Go for it. And if you attack, we're going to have a very different outcome this time.
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He's deeply interested in this alternative outcome Maruki has concocted in his head. Loki's vicious excitement at the proposal apparent in the almost explosive way the persona lurches out of his body in spiraling column of red light.
Loki is alive with Akechi's call - hovering harmlessly behind Akechi, bored and twirling the large sword with an open palm, instead of standing atop it. Passive, by all accounts.
Akechi lets out a quiet laugh - relief and thrill all at once.
Does nothing beyond that. Simply motions towards Loki with his own open hand.]
By all means.
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Eventually he gets up to circle around the two of them, eyeing up Loki from all angles. As different as can be from Robin Hood. Louche, aloof, laying in wait.
Its demeanor at rest reminds him of the Akechi that he sees in private now.
Finally, he returns to the desk, sitting lightly on the edge and folding his hands in his lap. ]
Hi, Loki. It's nice to meet you under less volatile circumstances.
[ This feels stupid, but it's a test that needs to be done. ]
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Speaks to Loki and he wants to answer by setting that blade alight with an assault against stupidity.
There's no response from his persona. Nothing from Akechi. It continues to twirl the blade with an occasional shift in direction. Left hand always a couple centimeters away from a weapon's hilt.]
What on earth are you doing? It's not going to speak back.
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Maruki bows his head, fingers coming up to pinch the skin between his eyes. ]
I figured as much.
[ Another beat of wallowing in the sheer idiocy of this before he picks his head back up. ]
I don't even have to tell you why I felt the need to test that. You can guess what differences exist. I wondered if maybe–
[ Another persona that is a god, that has an ability to change a cognition.
It doesn't matter. ]
You didn't even feel some sort of reaction?
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[There's a persistent sensation that always exists with his favored persona - like Akechi's always toeing a cliff's edge, no bottom in sight, and a desire to fly.
No other reaction. No acknowledgement of Maruki. Nothing. It's an extension of his soul, not a being with its own thoughts and feelings.
Azathoth must be different.
What a fucking surprise.]
Summon it. Let's do a true comparison.
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Ugh. He should have figured. ]
For the record, it doesn't speak... anymore. But.
[ An exasperated, exhausted wave of his left hand, and there's Azathoth, mass of tentacles rising out of the hardwood floor.
They look ridiculous, both of them with their personas summoned in this cramped little office. ]
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[Loki -
Continues to spin and twirl, despite the not so hidden threat in Akechi's words. It doesn't move to attack. Doesn't change its stance.
And as stupid as this is - personas do talk during awakenings. Make themselves known with that renewed resolve. Akechi remembers a cacophony of distorted voices, contracts and intent clear despite it.]
Well, Azathoth? Anything to say?
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The strangest sensation, every time. Especially around Akechi, so firmly in the "ally above all others" camp, yet the one that naturally goes up against them most often. In situations like this, though, without any real threat... ]
It recognizes you.
[ How does he begin to explain this. Maruki closes his eyes, exhales slowly, and tries. ]
It's as you told me in the beginning – they're always with us. Even if I didn't summon it, I would be able to feel its recognition of you. Or its response to a possible threat, or...
[ Eren, thanking Azathoth for protecting Maruki from the Green Knight. ]
Gratitude, sometimes.
[ He grimaces, opens his eyes again. A hand comes out to rest on the gleaming golden metal. ]
That's not normal. I can guess.
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[It recognizes you-
It shouldn't.
Maruki should recognize him. Azathoth should work off that realization. It shouldn't have a real, viable personality that contends with its origin. The soul of Maruki Takuto.
A golden gleam under the dim light of the office - it reminds him of that metal helmet that will one day affix to Maruki's face.]
You truly are remarkable.
[Wry, cynical and-
Honest. Sincere.]
But I would advise caution knowing that - two wills won't always align, even if they're born from the same origin.
[Robin Hood and Loki. Different in all ways, but-
Loki wants to fight because Akechi wants to fight.
Robin Hood wants justice because Akechi wants justice.]
Perhaps you're more splintered than you think if a part of your soul became sentient on its own. I wonder what that means.
[Is that really a persona?]
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Sentient on its own is a stretch. Azathoth can't exist without me.
[ ... Probably? ]
It doesn't act without my will.
[ ....... Well. Sometimes it knows his will better than he does, but. ]
It just– communicates. In a way. You truly never feel a response from either of them when something happens to you?
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So he does - tries to feel what Loki does.
It's the same as always - standing on a cliff's edge. I am thou, thou art I - intertwined emotions and sensations. Loki craves destruction because Akechi craves it. No separate will to be found.
With a wave of his hand, a name called, Loki vanishes and Robin Hood takes its place.
Akechi hates it. Makes a three second attempt. Switches back to Loki with a single call.]
Attack me.
hehe matching
I'm not attacking you in my office.
[ Immediate. Deadpan. What the hell, Akechi Goro. ]
the vibe is immaculate
[Immediate. Taunting. What the hell, Maruki Takuto.]
Make one of the appendages hit me and I'll concentrate on what Loki does. Perhaps I've always missed it trying to relay a message to me.
[Attack him :)]
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The tentacles don't attack. You know this.
[ Ugh. Memory Blow is the weakest attack in its arsenal, good for a quick stunlock, but it runs the risk of turning Akechi too forgetful for this to be of any use. Most everything else would simply wreak massive destruction in such a small space. There is one that's a more concentrated attack without any explosive effects, but it's...
Eh.
Fine.
Piercing Strike it is.
Maruki hates this. ]
1/2
2/2
doesn't
saya goddamn thing.
But Akechi does. Loki shifts position - sword under body. Ready. Waiting.
Retaliation is almost immediate with a joyous little cackle, an Eigaon aimed for the tentacles.]
Scream for me!
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cw they are being friends and collaborators again
they're just lil guys
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cw: murder, violent thoughts
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