Interesting. The implication no longer that - Akechi knows exactly what the hell he's talking about and how his secret commandeering of a forgotten, abandoned room has been semi-found out.
A part of him wants to fight it. Maruki doesn't come at him looking for one, but it doesn't stop Akechi from biting back.]
It was an accident, one single time. I was feeling ill that evening. Of course it would be the night you chose to scurry back like a rodent lurking in the dark.
[However his room gains a sudden addition, despite his words. A mind already marking it as his own place.
The Moon Statue flickers into existence, pressed against the wall separating their rooms. like always.
Akechi doesn't fucking flinch. Of course it's here. Why not!]
Isn't it strange how you try to win over those who dislike you, attack you, and harm you? In fact, you bring them into your home, allow them to live there and feed them.
[He doesn't give a shit about the cat - not one way or the other. No part of his day will be spent caring for it.
A little scritch behind her ears, because he can.
She purrs.]
Have you ever thought about getting counseling for that?
[ Well, it's not exactly surprising. Korokke has been perfectly fine with every visitor to Eyn Sof; he seems to be the only one to draw her ire. Animals simply just don't like him – except Gestalt, who is perfect.
So he only gives a resigned sigh to the sight of Akechi petting her without consequence, and doesn't otherwise miss a beat. ]
You know, I have considered it, and I knew a guy, but he's closed for business now. What rotten luck, eh?
[ He knocks Akechi's shoulder with a light fist as he straightens up from his rebuked attempt at affection with Korokke – god, they really are the same, all she wants him for is food... ]
Perhaps in time another sappy idiot with an impossible dream will arrive for you to take advantage of and exploit. If you can get in before their roster fills up, that is.
[This isn't an acquisition that the cat's staying. She's on thin ice.
THIN ICE that he leaves behind as he follows Maruki throughout the rest of this new home.]
Back down the stairs, through the rooms. Quiet, dimly lit. Peaceful. Maruki makes a counter-move on the chessboard as they pass it on the way outside again.
The breezeway that leads to the front door extends all along one side of the home, buffeted on either side by plenty of greenery. Maruki shifts to walk side by side with Akechi; that old refusal to be in front lingers, especially now.
They emerge at the back end of the house, but the walkway continues, stone steps creating a path into the forest, through the trees–
To a vast clearing, dotted with lantern light around the perimeter.
Maruki scratches at the back of his neck, almost bashful. ]
I didn't specify anything about a training area, but it seems one was deemed necessary anyway.
It's a touch dramatic, but it suits our needs fine. It's large enough, at least.
[He likes it.
It reminds him of a battle done in the depths of Mementos - a world outlined with fuzzy edges and no end.
Barriers and boundaries don't matter in their fights. It'll extend beyond the lit up circle around them. It doesn't mean he can't appreciate the aesthetic, regardless.
His hands move in a dramatic upward motion as he walks towards the center of the 'ring'.]
Shall we try it out now? It seems fitting to inaugurate our new place with the reason we left our old one.
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no subject
Did.
He.
Interesting. The implication no longer that - Akechi knows exactly what the hell he's talking about and how his secret commandeering of a forgotten, abandoned room has been semi-found out.
A part of him wants to fight it. Maruki doesn't come at him looking for one, but it doesn't stop Akechi from biting back.]
It was an accident, one single time. I was feeling ill that evening. Of course it would be the night you chose to scurry back like a rodent lurking in the dark.
[However his room gains a sudden addition, despite his words. A mind already marking it as his own place.
The Moon Statue flickers into existence, pressed against the wall separating their rooms. like always.
Akechi doesn't fucking flinch. Of course it's here. Why not!]
Speaking of useless rodents - what a surprise.
no subject
You can't be serious...
[ The machiya is meant to be sacred, god dammit. ]
Well, on the plus side, there's not much room for you to attempt to destroy it.
[ ... ]
Also, you mostly just try to destroy me instead nowadays.
no subject
[That blood soaked mud was created with two people at the helm.]
Why spar against a pathetic, meaningless stone carving when there's a more worthy rival to pursue?
no subject
That means a lot, Akechi-senpai. Thank you.
[ And then, before he can get smacked or worse, he zips down the hall to show THE GUEST ROOM WITH PROPER FUTONS.
THIS. RULES. ]
no subject
[Akechi-senpai is weird. GRATING.
He doesn't get an opportunity to get his swift revenge - no, Maruki zooms down the hall before he can even turn around.
Akechi follows, unamused, a few paces behind.
Guest rooms - for no one.]
No visitors, correct? We agreed on this. We'll have to find another use for these rooms.
no subject
[ A beat. ]
Although Izutsumi already broke in last night. She enjoyed the kotatsu!
[ Akechi, there are going to be visitors. ]
no subject
We're fortunate then. I can think of a few others that would have been far more irritating to find in this building.
[He opens up a closet to scope it out, another bathroom - it's unreal how easy it was to obtain it.]
Does it upset you to leave that castle behind? Most people find it distressing to move, but you seem to be in high spirits.
no subject
Yes and no. I have fond memories there, and I'm far more susceptible to nostalgia than you are, so of course I'll always miss it.
[ If he got pushed off, could he summon Azathoth quickly enough for a tentacle landing cushion? Probably. ]
But my relief at having more privacy and some familiarity of home outweighs that.
[ And, of course, the smug pride of having manifested a place that Akechi likes so much, but he's not about to cop to that. ]
no subject
[Something moves.
Saunters.
Walks into the fucking hallway and lays down flat in the middle of it, right in the path of Akechi's exploration.
Is that a goddamn cat?
No-
Is that the goddamn cat from Maruki's office?
He stares down the creature. It watches him in turn.]
No pets. We agreed on this.
[They didn't, but he'll gaslight this shit to oblivion.]
no subject
He doesn't even argue, just smiles brightly at Akechi, fingers drumming against the railing. ]
Considering I don't know if or when I will return to my office, I wanted to be sure she wasn't abandoned. Say hello to Korokke, Akechi.
[ Hey, at least he gave her a proper name and stopped calling her Neko-chan. ]
no subject
[She rolls on her back, comfortable as ever.
Akechi gestures to the cat, like it's the most offensive thing he's ever seen.]
Let her live with Eren's other cats. I'm sure she would have a good life among her own.
no subject
[ She'll be friendly with Akechi, maybe. Not Maruki. He stoops down to scoop her up and she immediately hisses at him. ]
Ah, that's not nice...
[ Try for a pet instead?
No! Hiss! And bat away with soft paws, no claws yet, BUT THEY'RE COMING NEXT!! ]
1/2
Maybe the cat was also on the duck's side.
He watches the interaction with interest, an answer completely settled on because they will have no goddamn pets in this house.
Just let him test something first. Akechi raises a hand to let her smell it ??? He doesn't fucking know.
Then -
Pets her without issue.
Isn't that interesting?]
no subject
[He doesn't give a shit about the cat - not one way or the other. No part of his day will be spent caring for it.
A little scritch behind her ears, because he can.
She purrs.]
Have you ever thought about getting counseling for that?
no subject
So he only gives a resigned sigh to the sight of Akechi petting her without consequence, and doesn't otherwise miss a beat. ]
You know, I have considered it, and I knew a guy, but he's closed for business now. What rotten luck, eh?
[ He knocks Akechi's shoulder with a light fist as he straightens up from his rebuked attempt at affection with Korokke – god, they really are the same, all she wants him for is food... ]
Come on, there's more I want to show you.
no subject
[This isn't an acquisition that the cat's staying. She's on thin ice.
THIN ICE that he leaves behind as he follows Maruki throughout the rest of this new home.]
But by all means - continue the tour.
no subject
Back down the stairs, through the rooms. Quiet, dimly lit. Peaceful. Maruki makes a counter-move on the chessboard as they pass it on the way outside again.
The breezeway that leads to the front door extends all along one side of the home, buffeted on either side by plenty of greenery. Maruki shifts to walk side by side with Akechi; that old refusal to be in front lingers, especially now.
They emerge at the back end of the house, but the walkway continues, stone steps creating a path into the forest, through the trees–
To a vast clearing, dotted with lantern light around the perimeter.
Maruki scratches at the back of his neck, almost bashful. ]
I didn't specify anything about a training area, but it seems one was deemed necessary anyway.
no subject
[He likes it.
It reminds him of a battle done in the depths of Mementos - a world outlined with fuzzy edges and no end.
Barriers and boundaries don't matter in their fights. It'll extend beyond the lit up circle around them. It doesn't mean he can't appreciate the aesthetic, regardless.
His hands move in a dramatic upward motion as he walks towards the center of the 'ring'.]
Shall we try it out now? It seems fitting to inaugurate our new place with the reason we left our old one.
no subject
Maruki watches him from the edge for a long moment, hands tucked into his pockets, shoulders relaxed.
They could die out here and no one would know.
They won't, of course. He won't let them. They'll both live. ]
Sure. Why not?
[ He steps in as well, Azathoth manifesting silently behind him, as tall as the trees that sorround them. ]
Let's begin.