After so much time spent in the middle of nowhere, it's fascinating to have a city right by our doorstep. One that almost rivals the size of Tokyo.
It makes me wonder-
Won't it be funny when we have to reacclimate to our original world in full? We've both been here almost a year, after all.
It makes me wonder-
Won't it be funny when we have to reacclimate to our original world in full? We've both been here almost a year, after all.
I always assumed it would be an easy transition back - Tokyo is all I've ever known, after all. But the strangeness of wandering around Stellari after so long here makes me reconsider that.
When will it be a full year for you?
When will it be a full year for you?
Where have you been? I can't seem to find you.
I'm headed to the windmill now. If you're busy in Stellari, meet me there later. I'm tired of everyone else today.
I'm headed to the windmill now. If you're busy in Stellari, meet me there later. I'm tired of everyone else today.
[ He should have given Eren a heads up. He meant to, even, but–
That perfect plan of isolating for a few days straight quickly fell by the wayside, and maybe he deluded himself into thinking that he could, in fact, spend the day in question around people.
Waking up on the morning of the third in a full house was enough. More than enough. He needs this one day alone, just this one, and– well, no, it isn't even about being alone, really. He doesn't want to be alone. It's about not having to keep up any sort of mask. Any other day, he can do it. There's one day where he's wholly incapable.
But he doesn't have to keep it up around Eren. One of two people who knows every last horrible truth that lines the edges of his grief. He can be honest, and that's terrifying. Maruki's never been honest with anyone on this day.
It takes a few minutes for him to respond, but the response does come. ]
I'm already here. I'm sorry, I meant to tell you.
I've been here all day. I don't plan on leaving.
That perfect plan of isolating for a few days straight quickly fell by the wayside, and maybe he deluded himself into thinking that he could, in fact, spend the day in question around people.
Waking up on the morning of the third in a full house was enough. More than enough. He needs this one day alone, just this one, and– well, no, it isn't even about being alone, really. He doesn't want to be alone. It's about not having to keep up any sort of mask. Any other day, he can do it. There's one day where he's wholly incapable.
But he doesn't have to keep it up around Eren. One of two people who knows every last horrible truth that lines the edges of his grief. He can be honest, and that's terrifying. Maruki's never been honest with anyone on this day.
It takes a few minutes for him to respond, but the response does come. ]
I'm already here. I'm sorry, I meant to tell you.
I've been here all day. I don't plan on leaving.
YAY RNGESUS LOVES ME oh cw murder death grief brainwashing etc
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placation
- 2025-02-03 03:43 (UTC) - Expand[If not quiet, the house is at least relatively subdued as Venat makes her way into the room, late after a long day of exploring turned into a minor adventure that only invigorated her. Waiting until Maruki looks her way, she then smiles, and quite deliberately closes the door behind her.]
I believe tonight I shall see if I can coax a story out of you.
I believe tonight I shall see if I can coax a story out of you.
[ As if Maruki can look anywhere else when Venat enters any room, to say nothing of this one. It still feels like a dream every day, getting to cohabitate once again with someone he loves– a dream he still feels somewhat undeserving of, but time and patience have worked in their favor, and he no longer lives every day waiting for the other shoe to drop.
He's stretched out on the bed, one of his research notebooks propped up on his chest, pen tucked between his teeth as he flips through. It drops out of his mouth as he grins at her, eyebrows raised. ]
Oh? Is there anything in particular you'd like to hear a story about?
He's stretched out on the bed, one of his research notebooks propped up on his chest, pen tucked between his teeth as he flips through. It drops out of his mouth as he grins at her, eyebrows raised. ]
Oh? Is there anything in particular you'd like to hear a story about?
[ akechi.mp4
he probably won't put it on the network. probably. who can ever say with qifrey?
he will, however, drop it off for maruki. because he knows if anyone would understand the what and why, it would be him. ]
he probably won't put it on the network. probably. who can ever say with qifrey?
he will, however, drop it off for maruki. because he knows if anyone would understand the what and why, it would be him. ]
[Akechi expected Maruki to eventually follow through on his theatrical little proclamation only a couple weeks ago. It didn't happen the first day. The second was assumed, only to find himself staring the man down in the midst of a battle he should have known nothing about. Irritating as ever, he disappeared before breakfast on the third and Akechi thought nothing of it.
Passing comments from those in the home were ignored or met with his own casual curiosity. Maruki's a grown man - it doesn't matter what he does on any given day. Akechi coats it all with a lie - that he sometimes leaves for days like this, he doesn't know why, it's a matter of privacy and-
That's all there is to it. Maruki's gone. Akechi doesn't miss his presence in the slightest. Check-ins are mandatory, tracking applications are checked and in the matters of a god wandering on their own, Akechi isn't concerned about an emergency. Maruki can handle whatever's thrown at him.
He doesn't care there isn't soft music playing from a record player in the early evening hours, isn't bothered by the silence filling the space of casual conversation around the kotatsu or the lack of fruit plated up for a late evening snack that's only missed when his stomach starts growling during a weird time of night.
The promised check-in occurs. Akechi ignores an all too quiet chat between them afterwards and-
That's all. However long he decides to sulk in the woods, Akechi doesn't care. Their agreement is worked out and being fulfilled. There's no problem-
Until there is.
Badb Catha's echoes about being the wings of war are muffled through the walls and windows, but heard all the same. Someone's outside. It's probably Izutsumi, but-
It's not.
After all the hemming and hawing, a whole plan, an entire conversation-
Maruki returns 12 hours later. It's so goddamn pathetic Akechi doesn't say a single fucking word to him as he wanders back to a room that's rarely empty. Is tonight. Doesn't send a text or make a single comment.
It's logical. He probably came to his senses. Realized this isn't the world to sulk in, that he doesn't have time to grieve a years old wound that should be taped up and soldered together by now.
It's logical, so Akechi doesn't move. It's logical, so he keeps under the heated blanket with a book and-
It's logical and that's Maruki, so he goes up to the man's bedroom.
It's logical and that's not grief, so he doesn't bother knocking before he opens the door.]
Get up.
Passing comments from those in the home were ignored or met with his own casual curiosity. Maruki's a grown man - it doesn't matter what he does on any given day. Akechi coats it all with a lie - that he sometimes leaves for days like this, he doesn't know why, it's a matter of privacy and-
That's all there is to it. Maruki's gone. Akechi doesn't miss his presence in the slightest. Check-ins are mandatory, tracking applications are checked and in the matters of a god wandering on their own, Akechi isn't concerned about an emergency. Maruki can handle whatever's thrown at him.
He doesn't care there isn't soft music playing from a record player in the early evening hours, isn't bothered by the silence filling the space of casual conversation around the kotatsu or the lack of fruit plated up for a late evening snack that's only missed when his stomach starts growling during a weird time of night.
The promised check-in occurs. Akechi ignores an all too quiet chat between them afterwards and-
That's all. However long he decides to sulk in the woods, Akechi doesn't care. Their agreement is worked out and being fulfilled. There's no problem-
Until there is.
Badb Catha's echoes about being the wings of war are muffled through the walls and windows, but heard all the same. Someone's outside. It's probably Izutsumi, but-
It's not.
After all the hemming and hawing, a whole plan, an entire conversation-
Maruki returns 12 hours later. It's so goddamn pathetic Akechi doesn't say a single fucking word to him as he wanders back to a room that's rarely empty. Is tonight. Doesn't send a text or make a single comment.
It's logical. He probably came to his senses. Realized this isn't the world to sulk in, that he doesn't have time to grieve a years old wound that should be taped up and soldered together by now.
It's logical, so Akechi doesn't move. It's logical, so he keeps under the heated blanket with a book and-
It's logical and that's Maruki, so he goes up to the man's bedroom.
It's logical and that's not grief, so he doesn't bother knocking before he opens the door.]
Get up.
[ The best laid plans, and all that...
In the end, he barely spends any time alone at all. The days leading up to the third are too busy; there are too many people who need him, and bafflingly, too many people who he actually wants to be around. And the time spent today with Eren, letting himself talk about her for the first time until his head and voice both ached, was ultimately more productive than the few hours he did spend alone.
There's a lesson to be learned somewhere in there, but Maruki is tired. Exhausted. He'll sort through his feelings on all of this in the coming days, weeks. Tonight, he only wants to sleep, at long last.
And then there's Akechi, standing in his doorway, silhouetted against the dim hallway light. ]
I just laid down. What is it?
In the end, he barely spends any time alone at all. The days leading up to the third are too busy; there are too many people who need him, and bafflingly, too many people who he actually wants to be around. And the time spent today with Eren, letting himself talk about her for the first time until his head and voice both ached, was ultimately more productive than the few hours he did spend alone.
There's a lesson to be learned somewhere in there, but Maruki is tired. Exhausted. He'll sort through his feelings on all of this in the coming days, weeks. Tonight, he only wants to sleep, at long last.
And then there's Akechi, standing in his doorway, silhouetted against the dim hallway light. ]
I just laid down. What is it?
Hello, Maruki. I apologize for my recent lack of communication. We've had some difficulties at our residence.
I hope you've been well. If there's anything you need, please let me know.
I hope you've been well. If there's anything you need, please let me know.
[He feels like he stares at the empty textbox for interminable hours, even though in reality it's only a few seconds of hesitation.]
i gotta ask a favor
[Shinjiro, asking for help rather than needing to be bullied into accepting it? Things really must be dire.]
i gotta ask a favor
[Shinjiro, asking for help rather than needing to be bullied into accepting it? Things really must be dire.]
[It's incredible what that crystal is capable of. It's finnicky. Occasionally petty. It has a life of its own and it doesn't.
He asks for something as a test - no reason, no rhyme. He's out of powers to request and his own are on lockdown for the foreseeable future. It's an opportunity to see what this thing is capable of in full-
The items he asks for are, some might think, sentimental. They're far from it. It's a test of the system, unintentional gifts for others and when tempura udon appears, piping hot, like it was made in the same kitchen counter Akechi leaves it on, he doesn't give it a second thought.
He's been able to play off most of these requests - random gifts from others, found outside, or any other excuse.
This one is more difficult to work around. A branded, specific meal. He doesn't bother coming up with one. It's left on the counter, not quite on a particular man's birthday, but it's not for that anyway. Not at all.
There's a note that says 'Maruki' and nothing more to keep it away from wandering hands. A follow-up text to Maruki simply stating 'lunch is on the counter.']
He asks for something as a test - no reason, no rhyme. He's out of powers to request and his own are on lockdown for the foreseeable future. It's an opportunity to see what this thing is capable of in full-
The items he asks for are, some might think, sentimental. They're far from it. It's a test of the system, unintentional gifts for others and when tempura udon appears, piping hot, like it was made in the same kitchen counter Akechi leaves it on, he doesn't give it a second thought.
He's been able to play off most of these requests - random gifts from others, found outside, or any other excuse.
This one is more difficult to work around. A branded, specific meal. He doesn't bother coming up with one. It's left on the counter, not quite on a particular man's birthday, but it's not for that anyway. Not at all.
There's a note that says 'Maruki' and nothing more to keep it away from wandering hands. A follow-up text to Maruki simply stating 'lunch is on the counter.']
[ That's already a suspicious message to receive, but Akechi's not the type to poison him. He's known that for far too long now.
Any question he has about why the hell Akechi cares about him having lunch is answered the moment he removes the lid from that familiar bowl. Maruki would recognize this particular meal if he were blindfolded in a dark room.
If Akechi is in the machiya, he's being awfully quiet. Maruki figures he isn't, but doesn't go searching anyway. Just settles down at the bar with the steaming bowl of soup and taps out a message through fogging-over glasses. ]
You didn't have to do that. Thank you.
Any question he has about why the hell Akechi cares about him having lunch is answered the moment he removes the lid from that familiar bowl. Maruki would recognize this particular meal if he were blindfolded in a dark room.
If Akechi is in the machiya, he's being awfully quiet. Maruki figures he isn't, but doesn't go searching anyway. Just settles down at the bar with the steaming bowl of soup and taps out a message through fogging-over glasses. ]
You didn't have to do that. Thank you.
[ It's left without ceremony; a small brown paper wrapped package, tied neatly with twine, the bow nothing fancy. Perhaps it's somewhere in the kitchen, tucked away to be found after all the hustle and bustle, after things have calmed down and Maruki can find it on his own, privately.
There's a simple folded note with it, tucked underneath the twine, taped to the brown paper. Opened, the message is short, scrawled in fairly neat cursive:
Thank you for everything. One day, I'll be able to return the kindness you've given me. Happy Birthday.
-Vash
The package holds a hefty journal bound in leather, the paper thick and handmade. Each page is numbered by hand, the cursive of it matching Vash's own handwriting. The ink is black and shimmers in the light. Two ink pens are tucked in the spine of the book, loaded with similar ink. ]
There's a simple folded note with it, tucked underneath the twine, taped to the brown paper. Opened, the message is short, scrawled in fairly neat cursive:
Thank you for everything. One day, I'll be able to return the kindness you've given me. Happy Birthday.
-Vash
The package holds a hefty journal bound in leather, the paper thick and handmade. Each page is numbered by hand, the cursive of it matching Vash's own handwriting. The ink is black and shimmers in the light. Two ink pens are tucked in the spine of the book, loaded with similar ink. ]
[It's night, and most people would have been asleep by now - which is the perfect time to have this conversation.]
Doctor Maruki?
I believe there's something we should talk about in person.
Doctor Maruki?
I believe there's something we should talk about in person.
[ Lucky for Strohl, Maruki's sleep schedule is atrocious. About an hour from now is usually when he and Akechi have their nightly chat.
This ought to be good. ]
Of course. Is there somewhere in particular you'd like to meet?
This ought to be good. ]
Of course. Is there somewhere in particular you'd like to meet?
[ It doesn't matter what Maruki is doing. There's little else that could get him to drop everything and give his full attention so readily. The reply comes nearly instantaneously. ]
I'm here. What's going on?
I'm here. What's going on?
i've seen your inbox numbers. it IS the scariest part of this
placation
- 2025-04-05 03:42 (UTC) - Expandtell me that again after we wrap this and feel sick about it
arsenist
- 2025-04-09 11:30 (UTC) - Expand[It's a little funny that Maruki hasn't noticed yet. Eren tells him that he has something to show him, and then it's to the windmill, their temporary home, so long as they're both there together. Eren wishes he could carry Maruki up the ladder. He climbs up first instead, then reaches down to help haul him up the rest of the way.]
[ Maruki follows him up eagerly, taking his hand to help haul himself up onto the landing at the top– and immediately starts peering around, curious for whatever it is that Eren wants to show him. ]
Is it that book? Wait, no, that's mine...
[ Where is he supposed to be looking...? ]
Is it that book? Wait, no, that's mine...
[ Where is he supposed to be looking...? ]
playing a lil fast and loose with time here don't worry about it
seeinside
- 2025-04-09 00:15 (UTC) - Expand[When Maruki floated the idea of a cooking lesson, Akechi refused. Not due to a lack of ability - only interest. Maruki cooks. That's the arrangement. If Maruki were to ever refuse, it's not as if Akechi can't boil noodles.
When Maruki floated it again, seconds later, Akechi refused.
When the discussion became less of a suggestion and more of a request to go to the kitchen, Akechi looked up from his kotatsu hovel and the book he was reading and refused.
And when the request became a demand -
Akechi refused, obstinate and stubborn in his own response.
The back and forth ended there and Akechi thought it was over, but somehow-
He's here, in the kitchen, with a raw fish under his hand. It's disgusting. The eyes bulge at him and he recalls the moment with Izutsumi almost a year ago.
Remembers how vile this was - how long it took for the slime to come off his fingertips.]
You do this.
When Maruki floated it again, seconds later, Akechi refused.
When the discussion became less of a suggestion and more of a request to go to the kitchen, Akechi looked up from his kotatsu hovel and the book he was reading and refused.
And when the request became a demand -
Akechi refused, obstinate and stubborn in his own response.
The back and forth ended there and Akechi thought it was over, but somehow-
He's here, in the kitchen, with a raw fish under his hand. It's disgusting. The eyes bulge at him and he recalls the moment with Izutsumi almost a year ago.
Remembers how vile this was - how long it took for the slime to come off his fingertips.]
You do this.
[ Frankly, Akechi should be grateful for this opportunity. Especially after his birthday feast, anyone in their right mind would be clamoring for an opportunity to have a one on one cooking lesson with him–
Just kidding, Maruki doesn't think that highly of himself. He really is trying to impart some sort of practical skill on Akechi, though. The occasional sous chef duties chopping vegetables or stirring pots haven't been enough.
And he looks over from where he's tending to a soup stock, unimpressed eyebrows lowering beneath the frame of his glasses. ]
No. It's important to learn how to cook a whole fish. Don't tell me it's making you feel a little dizzy.
Just kidding, Maruki doesn't think that highly of himself. He really is trying to impart some sort of practical skill on Akechi, though. The occasional sous chef duties chopping vegetables or stirring pots haven't been enough.
And he looks over from where he's tending to a soup stock, unimpressed eyebrows lowering beneath the frame of his glasses. ]
No. It's important to learn how to cook a whole fish. Don't tell me it's making you feel a little dizzy.
[There's a knock on Eyn Sof's door, loud, robust; a voice follows, and it's certainly Eren's, but it shouts, casual, careless, light.]
Hey, open up! It's lunch time now, so if there's someone else in there, they can scram. Session's over.
Hey, open up! It's lunch time now, so if there's someone else in there, they can scram. Session's over.
[ To say it takes him off guard would be a gross understatement.
For a long moment, all Maruki can do is stare wide-eyed at the door behind him, his mind trying to jam together puzzle pieces that don't quite fit. It's Eren's voice, undoubtedly so, but–
A few moments of hesitation longer as he approaches the door without opening it. Eren does joke around more with him than anyone else. Never like this, but maybe he's trying something new...?
Even if that's the case, it's a strange choice.
Still, he's smiling as he opens the door, more curious than confused. ]
What's with the voice?
For a long moment, all Maruki can do is stare wide-eyed at the door behind him, his mind trying to jam together puzzle pieces that don't quite fit. It's Eren's voice, undoubtedly so, but–
A few moments of hesitation longer as he approaches the door without opening it. Eren does joke around more with him than anyone else. Never like this, but maybe he's trying something new...?
Even if that's the case, it's a strange choice.
Still, he's smiling as he opens the door, more curious than confused. ]
What's with the voice?
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