[ Maruki reads and rereads it, again and again, the warm ceramic of the coffee mug pressed against his cheek.
Okumura–
Well. It makes sense, unfortunately.
He glances over at Akechi, then back down at his phone. Doesn't deviate from their pattern. ]
Every time someone has told me that it's impossible to see or reach Vaeros, therefore impossible to fight him, I've found it disappointingly narrow-minded. I've suspected that there are ways to attack without being physically present.
[Loaded question. Palaces, Mementos - could Akechi even put a number on it?
He-
can't remember. The lines between months and years blurring together. The first year was difficult. The latter ones much easier. All of the targets were so disgusting they barely hit a blip on his radar. Most didn't make the news, in the beginning. Small time targets to test reliability and loyalty.
A not insignificant portion of last night was spent writing out everything Akechi told him, everything suspicion confirmed, and trying to construct some sort of timeline out of it. It only made him feel nauseated, forehead pressing into the cool wood of his desk as he folded down onto it. ]
That's understandable.
I'm going out for a bit soon. Bastardized okonomiyaki for dinner?
[He moves to stand - empty plate on the counter, chair pushed out and -
He doesn't care. If Maruki didn't sleep, that's his problem. If he's tormented by what happened, he should've left. If he had listened to Akechi when he said Leave, he would have slept peacefully and Akechi would have riled himself up until it died out in early morning light. It could have been a normal night.
But -
If Maruki has somewhere to go, and Akechi has nowhere to be, it only makes sense to -]
[ Oh, Maruki doesn't regret a single minute of it.
He bites back the urge to insist he can do it before he leaves. Watches him a moment longer. Slides off the chair with a grateful smile and moves to begin packing his satchel.
The final message sent just as he leaves: ]
Next time you want to play, I get to pick the first word. I'll give you a head start on thinking up your response.
Scow.
[ And he's gone.
Maybe when he returns home, they'll manage to speak out loud. ]
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no subject
Okumura–
Well. It makes sense, unfortunately.
He glances over at Akechi, then back down at his phone. Doesn't deviate from their pattern. ]
Every time someone has told me that it's impossible to see or reach Vaeros, therefore impossible to fight him, I've found it disappointingly narrow-minded. I've suspected that there are ways to attack without being physically present.
Now I know.
Okay. So we start looking into alternatives.
no subject
But he's surprised - wants to push it to see if Maruki will crack. Doesn't because-
Dark bags under his eyes, slowed movements.
Akechi doesn't care, but there's no rush to do this or an immediate call to action.]
I'll let you know if I find a promising lead.
no subject
[ ... ]
How many palaces would you say you've been in?
That's the last question I'll ask. It's more general curiosity than anything else.
no subject
He-
can't remember. The lines between months and years blurring together. The first year was difficult. The latter ones much easier. All of the targets were so disgusting they barely hit a blip on his radar. Most didn't make the news, in the beginning. Small time targets to test reliability and loyalty.
It's not a lie. He truly-]
I don't know. I've lost track.
no subject
A not insignificant portion of last night was spent writing out everything Akechi told him, everything suspicion confirmed, and trying to construct some sort of timeline out of it. It only made him feel nauseated, forehead pressing into the cool wood of his desk as he folded down onto it. ]
That's understandable.
I'm going out for a bit soon. Bastardized okonomiyaki for dinner?
no subject
[He moves to stand - empty plate on the counter, chair pushed out and -
He doesn't care. If Maruki didn't sleep, that's his problem. If he's tormented by what happened, he should've left. If he had listened to Akechi when he said Leave, he would have slept peacefully and Akechi would have riled himself up until it died out in early morning light. It could have been a normal night.
But -
If Maruki has somewhere to go, and Akechi has nowhere to be, it only makes sense to -]
I'll clean up. My schedule is clear today.
no subject
He bites back the urge to insist he can do it before he leaves. Watches him a moment longer. Slides off the chair with a grateful smile and moves to begin packing his satchel.
The final message sent just as he leaves: ]
Next time you want to play, I get to pick the first word. I'll give you a head start on thinking up your response.
Scow.
[ And he's gone.
Maybe when he returns home, they'll manage to speak out loud. ]