[ Like an icepick to the back of his neck, plunged in and twisted to drive straight up through the base of his skull, into his grey matter: It almost makes a person feel like they were chosen for something greater, doesn't it?
For a moment all he can see is brilliant, blinding light. White marble, expansive spiraling stairs, endless halls lined with flowers. Eden.
It's gone as quickly as it came. He blinks spots out of his vision, smiles at Akechi. Relieved, grateful. And something else. ]
No apologies necessary. As you've seen tonight, I clearly don't have any concrete answers to offer myself. And I like to hear your thoughts regardless.
[ He really does. Akechi has a way of taking in what he says and handing it back to him, reshaped and reconfigured to make him consider things in a new light. Just like Akira, seated across from him in that nurse's office, listening patiently to his theories and giving his honest, astute thoughts, guiding him by the hand down the twisting corridors of his own mind.
They're so alike. They're nothing alike at all. Maruki wouldn't know what to do without both of their influences on his life now.
He stretches his legs out in front of him, long enough that they touch the opposite shelf that Akechi rests against. Exhaustion and soreness are starting to seep into his body as adrenaline ekes out. ]
When it returns to me, we ought to...
[ He gestures vaguely between them, unsure of what to ask for. ]
I didn't know they could fight like that. I'll probably have to ask you to show me what to do. I apologize in advance.
[ A beat. He leans his head back against the stupid crunching chip bags, closes his eyes. ]
Azathoth, by the way. That's its name.
[ It's such a profound thing to finally say aloud. It only strengthens his conviction that he will be returned to him, wholly intact, and now with power that Maruki wasn't even aware of just ready to be ferreted out.
It can only help them in their shared goal here, and then whatever awaits both of them in their own reality. He doesn't ask. Save it for another time, a safer environment. Save it to ask alongside all of the other questions yet to come. ]
no subject
For a moment all he can see is brilliant, blinding light. White marble, expansive spiraling stairs, endless halls lined with flowers. Eden.
It's gone as quickly as it came. He blinks spots out of his vision, smiles at Akechi. Relieved, grateful. And something else. ]
No apologies necessary. As you've seen tonight, I clearly don't have any concrete answers to offer myself. And I like to hear your thoughts regardless.
[ He really does. Akechi has a way of taking in what he says and handing it back to him, reshaped and reconfigured to make him consider things in a new light. Just like Akira, seated across from him in that nurse's office, listening patiently to his theories and giving his honest, astute thoughts, guiding him by the hand down the twisting corridors of his own mind.
They're so alike. They're nothing alike at all. Maruki wouldn't know what to do without both of their influences on his life now.
He stretches his legs out in front of him, long enough that they touch the opposite shelf that Akechi rests against. Exhaustion and soreness are starting to seep into his body as adrenaline ekes out. ]
When it returns to me, we ought to...
[ He gestures vaguely between them, unsure of what to ask for. ]
I didn't know they could fight like that. I'll probably have to ask you to show me what to do. I apologize in advance.
[ A beat. He leans his head back against the stupid crunching chip bags, closes his eyes. ]
Azathoth, by the way. That's its name.
[ It's such a profound thing to finally say aloud. It only strengthens his conviction that he will be returned to him, wholly intact, and now with power that Maruki wasn't even aware of just ready to be ferreted out.
It can only help them in their shared goal here, and then whatever awaits both of them in their own reality. He doesn't ask. Save it for another time, a safer environment. Save it to ask alongside all of the other questions yet to come. ]