(you can pm me here or on plurk if you'd like to beforehand, but also if you'd just like to drop something at my doorstep with no preamble please do!!)
[ Akechi knows their deal: Maruki covers for him when necessary – cares for him in what small ways that he can – in exchange for information about the cognitive world beyond what is officially researched for and reported to Shido. It works. ]
You're certain that it was an independent shadow, and not a manifestation of someone's cognition like the others?
That's not your part to play. I doubt you'll ever get to that world.
The Reaper may become a barrier to future exploration and could be blocking the next target. I've yet to find him in Mementos and I know our deadline is approaching.
Even though I'm emancipated, my school doesn't accept my absence requests. If you call feigning to be my doctor and tell them I'm too ill to go in the rest of the week, I can concentrate on what needs to be done.
[Killing the reaper, training to kill it, sneaking around it - he needs to figure out the best route. He can't mess up as a newly introduced member to Shido's ranks. Maruki can't afford it either.]
[Maruki always does this. Akechi will never fathom why. They both work for Shido for a reason - neither of them are good people, one day they may need to sell the other out. It's not smart to feign this degree of care, even for a common goal. Akechi can't give him a reason to think he can win when that inevitable day comes.]
[ Akechi is powerful. No one else in their cabal can do what he does. But Maruki knows more about the cognitive psience behind it all than anyone else. Why a young teenager has that sort of power is what concerns him – as is the prospect of him suffering physically and mentally because of it. ]
Since you're going to continue battling it this week, I'd like to check on you when you return.
It often takes me awhile to get back, even though time slows in the Metaverse. The targets are my main priority, but exploring is second. There are some evenings where I barely make the last train.
You're welcome to stay the night, should that occur, since you insist on doing this.
[It's what he should offer. Maybe it'll earn him a favor someday.]
Would you really be comfortable with someone else sleeping on your sofa?
You don't have to offer that if you wouldn't.
[ No matter how powerful he is, no matter what violence he enacts in the cognitive world to bring about results in the real one, Akechi is little more than a child who lives on his own. That is never lost on Maruki. He shouldn't feel the need to house him just for the simple act of being cared for. ]
Akechi will follow him home and see how far that 'walk' really is.]
Noted.
I suppose I'll see you soon. This part of the tunnel has spotty wifi recently - I'll let you go for now.
[He's going to pass out on the train, actually. He is so fucking tired. Doesn't even care that 'spotty wifi' in Tokyo is nearly an impossible occurrance.]
[ That's a lie, but it's fine. Maruki isn't in the habit of keeping Akechi trapped in their conversations any longer than the boy is comfortable with.
It's worried him ever since he learned exactly who their cognitive assassin is. Worried him even more after he found out that Akechi came to them from their society's negligent underbelly where unwanted children are so often forgotten. He may be powerful, but he is in no way equipped to be living on his own, managing school and minor detective work while caring for himself. And that's before they factor in what his work with Shido entails.
He's dropped off packed homemade meals before. A heavy comforter for the winter, because he saw Akechi didn't have one. A book of philosophy after he heard him bastardize a Descartes quote. Simple things that any child should receive from a guardian, and that he knows Akechi doesn't receive from anyone.
It's no different this time. He lingers outside Akechi's building with a bag full of warm leftovers on one shoulder, idly playing with his phone until he catches his approach from the corner of his eye and lifts his head. ]
[There he is - persistent and 'caring' as ever. Waiting out front like a friend waiting for another to show up, even though Akechi's sure he must have a key to his apartment. Doubts Shido left none in the care of others should he falter.
The bag is noted with a quick glance - he knows what's in there by the weight pulling at the bottom. Hunger clashes with nausea. Exhaustion too difficult to hide - it pulls at his eyes, his whole expression, though he feigns neutrality as best he can. Near death experiences in the Metaverse are still that. Still require someone to drag themself out by will and force. There's only so much he can hide by standing tall and meeting Maruki's eyes. He does it anyway. He's fine. He's strong. He belongs among kings.]
I don't have a preference with food. Anything you bring is fine, though I'll reiterate you don't have to do it.
[He's so tired - wonders if it's the lights making him dizzy. It'll be fine once he gets inside - something he does immediately after acknowledging Maruki. It's not like he won't follow.
Up to the apartment they go - code to the lobby, keycard for the elevator, another code to his unit and-]
You can put it on the counter.
it's not too late for us to delete this thread and also our journals forever perhaps
[ Akechi's insistence that he has no preferences gets the silent nod it always does – Maruki keeps asking anyway. Nobody is completely impartial to food, no matter how easy their palate is...
Maruki follows without a word, sets the bag on the counter as requested and begins unpacking it. Rice, soup, steamed fish– ]
Eat this one tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning.
[ Karaage, kabocha tempura, pickled radishes and ginger–
He glances over at Akechi, catches sight of his pallor. ]
Here.
[ Then, from his pocket, a bottle of pills. ]
They have stronger medicine for headaches in the United States. Isn't that odd?
It is. Though it's more surprising you had them on hand.
[It's not impossible to get imported medication. Not even difficult, frankly, connections not withstanding. Japanese medicine is top notch. To need a more extensive pain reliever, well-
Akechi eyes the bottle, opens the cap to see the pills inside. Nothing odd about them. Two pills are shaken into his palm before he hands the container back.
He eyes the assorted foods on his path to water - fresh, a variety of packages spread out. Every one is noted. All make his stomach churn, a low rumble at the pit of it a reminder he is hungry too. It smells good.
The headache is his only concern tonight. Two glasses pulled out of a cabinet are filled with water. One set on the countertop near Maruki, the other gulped down with two pills.]
Do you get headaches often, Maruki-san? In your position, I can imagine it's commonplace.
[ Maruki acknowledges the glass of water with a grateful bow of his head, sips at it while Akechi prattles on in that good-natured but undeniably curious way of his.
Maruki is a man who asks questions and seeks answers for a living. A researcher and a detective really aren't all that different. He knows by now that Akechi never says something for nothing.
Still, he nods, even offers up an honest answer. ]
I've suffered from bad headaches ever since I was in grad school. I suppose it's not an uncommon stress response, but it is annoying...
[ Gently, he nudges the container he told Akechi to eat first a little closer to him. ]
It makes sense that coming back from a rough time in the cognitive world would have a similar effect. I'm glad you're not suffering from anything worse, though.
[ He doesn't look like he is, at any rate. Maruki can't imagine what it's like to be bruised, beaten, exhausted and wounded, only to come out pristine and unscathed in the true reality. The dissonance must be jarring. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
EVIL OH GOD EVIL
💣💣💣💣💥💥💥💥💥
Its power is above all else on that level, by a large degree. It may be a guardian of sorts.
One shot ended my assault. When I escaped and reentered, the shadow was gone.
However, I had to cut my exploration short for the day because of it. I apologize.
okay lithium battery bomb
[ Akechi knows their deal: Maruki covers for him when necessary – cares for him in what small ways that he can – in exchange for information about the cognitive world beyond what is officially researched for and reported to Shido. It works. ]
You're certain that it was an independent shadow, and not a manifestation of someone's cognition like the others?
spicypillows this BITCH outta HERE
For some reason, I'm able to understand my enemy and know its name, weakness, strengths - all at random. That happened during that short fight.
The Reaper is what it was called. An appropriate name given its appearance.
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The Reaper lurking in the collective unconscious, more powerful than all other shadows. It's telling, isn't it? I wish I could see it for myself.
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The Reaper may become a barrier to future exploration and could be blocking the next target. I've yet to find him in Mementos and I know our deadline is approaching.
Even though I'm emancipated, my school doesn't accept my absence requests. If you call feigning to be my doctor and tell them I'm too ill to go in the rest of the week, I can concentrate on what needs to be done.
[Killing the reaper, training to kill it, sneaking around it - he needs to figure out the best route. He can't mess up as a newly introduced member to Shido's ranks. Maruki can't afford it either.]
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Can I ask you something first, though?
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How were you feeling when you escaped?
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It was tolerable. Nothing I can't handle.
I'm powerful - remember that.
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[ Akechi is powerful. No one else in their cabal can do what he does. But Maruki knows more about the cognitive psience behind it all than anyone else. Why a young teenager has that sort of power is what concerns him – as is the prospect of him suffering physically and mentally because of it. ]
Since you're going to continue battling it this week, I'd like to check on you when you return.
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He can fake it like always. The Metaverse heals all physical wounds. Exhaustion and nausea will be gone by tonight.]
Very well.
I'm already on the train back. I should be there shortly. Please make it quick.
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I should clarify, though - I meant that I'll want to check on you each night. We can't be too careful.
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I won't get caught off guard again. There's no need to check daily. I'm sure you have more important things to do with your research.
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It often takes me awhile to get back, even though time slows in the Metaverse. The targets are my main priority, but exploring is second. There are some evenings where I barely make the last train.
You're welcome to stay the night, should that occur, since you insist on doing this.
[It's what he should offer. Maybe it'll earn him a favor someday.]
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Would you really be comfortable with someone else sleeping on your sofa?
You don't have to offer that if you wouldn't.
[ No matter how powerful he is, no matter what violence he enacts in the cognitive world to bring about results in the real one, Akechi is little more than a child who lives on his own. That is never lost on Maruki. He shouldn't feel the need to house him just for the simple act of being cared for. ]
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[He also doesn't sleep, so it literally doesn't matter. The second Maruki takes him up on it, he'll leverage that kindness for a future favor.]
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That's good to know. However, I'll still do my best not to impose as an overnight guest, as much as I appreciate the offer.
If it's a matter of the trains not running, I can always walk. We don't live very far apart.
[ He has never once indicated where he lives before now. It does make it convenient for keeping an eye on Akechi, though. ]
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Akechi will follow him home and see how far that 'walk' really is.]
Noted.
I suppose I'll see you soon. This part of the tunnel has spotty wifi recently - I'll let you go for now.
[He's going to pass out on the train, actually. He is so fucking tired. Doesn't even care that 'spotty wifi' in Tokyo is nearly an impossible occurrance.]
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It's worried him ever since he learned exactly who their cognitive assassin is. Worried him even more after he found out that Akechi came to them from their society's negligent underbelly where unwanted children are so often forgotten. He may be powerful, but he is in no way equipped to be living on his own, managing school and minor detective work while caring for himself. And that's before they factor in what his work with Shido entails.
He's dropped off packed homemade meals before. A heavy comforter for the winter, because he saw Akechi didn't have one. A book of philosophy after he heard him bastardize a Descartes quote. Simple things that any child should receive from a guardian, and that he knows Akechi doesn't receive from anyone.
It's no different this time. He lingers outside Akechi's building with a bag full of warm leftovers on one shoulder, idly playing with his phone until he catches his approach from the corner of his eye and lifts his head. ]
Do you like kabocha? I should have asked first.
no subject
The bag is noted with a quick glance - he knows what's in there by the weight pulling at the bottom. Hunger clashes with nausea. Exhaustion too difficult to hide - it pulls at his eyes, his whole expression, though he feigns neutrality as best he can. Near death experiences in the Metaverse are still that. Still require someone to drag themself out by will and force. There's only so much he can hide by standing tall and meeting Maruki's eyes. He does it anyway. He's fine. He's strong. He belongs among kings.]
I don't have a preference with food. Anything you bring is fine, though I'll reiterate you don't have to do it.
[He's so tired - wonders if it's the lights making him dizzy. It'll be fine once he gets inside - something he does immediately after acknowledging Maruki. It's not like he won't follow.
Up to the apartment they go - code to the lobby, keycard for the elevator, another code to his unit and-]
You can put it on the counter.
it's not too late for us to delete this thread and also our journals forever perhaps
Maruki follows without a word, sets the bag on the counter as requested and begins unpacking it. Rice, soup, steamed fish– ]
Eat this one tonight, or first thing tomorrow morning.
[ Karaage, kabocha tempura, pickled radishes and ginger–
He glances over at Akechi, catches sight of his pallor. ]
Here.
[ Then, from his pocket, a bottle of pills. ]
They have stronger medicine for headaches in the United States. Isn't that odd?
oh, yes <3 also no. die.
[It's not impossible to get imported medication. Not even difficult, frankly, connections not withstanding. Japanese medicine is top notch. To need a more extensive pain reliever, well-
Akechi eyes the bottle, opens the cap to see the pills inside. Nothing odd about them. Two pills are shaken into his palm before he hands the container back.
He eyes the assorted foods on his path to water - fresh, a variety of packages spread out. Every one is noted. All make his stomach churn, a low rumble at the pit of it a reminder he is hungry too. It smells good.
The headache is his only concern tonight. Two glasses pulled out of a cabinet are filled with water. One set on the countertop near Maruki, the other gulped down with two pills.]
Do you get headaches often, Maruki-san? In your position, I can imagine it's commonplace.
YOU DIE
Maruki is a man who asks questions and seeks answers for a living. A researcher and a detective really aren't all that different. He knows by now that Akechi never says something for nothing.
Still, he nods, even offers up an honest answer. ]
I've suffered from bad headaches ever since I was in grad school. I suppose it's not an uncommon stress response, but it is annoying...
[ Gently, he nudges the container he told Akechi to eat first a little closer to him. ]
It makes sense that coming back from a rough time in the cognitive world would have a similar effect. I'm glad you're not suffering from anything worse, though.
[ He doesn't look like he is, at any rate. Maruki can't imagine what it's like to be bruised, beaten, exhausted and wounded, only to come out pristine and unscathed in the true reality. The dissonance must be jarring. ]
NO????????? MEAN??????????
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we can wrap <3 but i have a thought for later