Yes, or so I would assume. I've spoken to a few people there while looking around and all seem to have found books from their world. One person even found one written by their friend about eudaimonia.
[Yeah well he remembers. Now he's gonna check the closets when he gets home - sorry Zazie. No meat pits.]
Our world, yes. Our Tokyo? Impossible to say. There are many titles I recognize and many more that I don't.
It's definitely odd. I've thought so from the moment I've arrived, so I'm happy to see you've reached the same conclusion.
My question is more - why does it stop at books? If the collective unconscious is able to be represented in this form, why do we live in a hovel of a town with no amenities or items from other worlds? It's baffling it ends at the library.
Books... Here's my initial thought. Books would be uniquely dangerous objects to allow to exist in a place like this, with people from so many other realities. Have you met men by the name of Loki, or Puck? Both come from their own unique realities, but they're represented in mythologies in ours - and, I assume, in many others. When I met them in my dreams, very early on... that was when I first began considering the role of the collective unconscious here.
So then, what happens if a person here whose very existence draws from a figure in the collective unconscious encounters a book from someone else's world that they appear in, even if only as a representation?
Perhaps nothing. I'm fully aware that I may be overthinking things. It wouldn't be the first time. But there is a liability there, a manipulation within a manipulation, so it shocks me that our captors would risk it.
And then, to your point: Why not anything else? Why only the riskiest possible cognitions of objects from our realities? There has to be a reason for it.
It's a strange game they're playing. I don't enjoy being a part of it.
Sorry for writing so much. That threw me. I'll need to visit the library soon.
Edited (SORRY I REREAD AND REALIZE HOW MUCH I REPEAT MYSELF AS ALWAYS) 2024-05-26 00:25 (UTC)
[He didn't consider that - manipulation within manipulation, mythologies turned real. It's less jarring knowing what lies in Mementos and palaces - figures, gods, and holy representations are easily found.
But here-]
No need to apologize - you provided a good argument. I have little to add on the matter at this time, though it's not for lack of thought over it.
I think we can reasonably assume this 'game' ends with someone, or a group, gaining power via our exploitation. While not proven, that tends to be the motive in most scenarios. Something about us here helps them, but I know we've spoken about this before. I won't rehash old points.
However-
Maybe the library is an unintentional consequence to someone trying to usurp. Find a way to break the hold the main group has and use use to gain power themselves.
Wouldn't that be an interesting development?
That's a bit outlandish given our lack of evidence though.
[Hey, he found a carrot though!!! Score. Don't give this shit to Maki.]
Oh, I don't doubt it. There's a lot of set dressing that can obfuscate the core truth, but isn't everything about a desire for power, in the end?
[ lol. ]
Hey, hypotheses exist to be tested. Hah, I just realized that's an interesting way our professions diverge... As a detective, you gather the evidence and draw conclusions as you go. As a researcher, I think of a conclusion that could possibly be reached and work to see if there's evidence for it.
Anyhow, what I meant to say is that it would be an interesting development. Do you know if the library was started by the creatures here, or by our fellow captives? If not, I can find out when I go.
Then between the two of us, I'm certain we will find the truth. Our goals align and our direction is the same, even if our paths slightly differ.
To my current knowledge, the library has always been here. At one point, a group was upholding it to stricter standards than now in terms of organization. The books seem to appear at random.
[This is probably the second time ever he's visited this grocery area. Tofu? Who knows. He's shocked there's a fresh cabbage in front of him.]
No, though I wonder if they have an alternative made from an item other than soy.
I received green milk from the labyrinth. Obviously, I didn't drink it, but it makes me wonder if there could be green or blue tofu hidden somewhere in this market. We may need to adjust our expectations to find the items we want.
[Now he's grateful for cereal. All that cheese? Disgusting.]
Maybe this place has a vendetta against detectives in particular. I would say I'm joking, but I suppose I'll confirm that during the next exploration.
And no, I live alone and have for some time. My schedule is so busy between school, work and media appearances that those became a necessary staple. They work well enough.
[ It makes sense, and it doesn't. Detective Prince or not, Akechi was still a high school student. Living alone for some time at that age isn't entirely unheard of, but it is strange.
He won't press for more information. The refreshing thing about having him as a friend rather than a patient is not needing to do that. But it's noted. ]
Maybe this is presumptuous, but... Could I join you during the next exploration? I'm eager to see it myself.
[A GUN. HIS GUN. HIS LOKI. When he can get THEM BACK.]
A knife, for the time being. It was suitable for defense last month. You should find something just as versatile and functional that you're comfortable with.
Of course, I have the training between us. Yours would only need to be used in the event of my incapacitation or if we're separated.
[ He would rather die than have to use a knife, or anything else, even in self-defense, but apparently pacifism suffers a swift and quiet death in Somnius. ]
I appreciate that more than I can say, Akechi-kun. But I don't intend to be a burden for you to carry through whatever we encounter, so I'll be sure to figure something out.
Have you gotten injured in other explorations you've done?
While I would like to tell you otherwise - Yes. Though it was from the recent dungeon exploration and during the attack on the town, not the labyrinth.
No injuries were life threatening and I was healed at the clinic a short time after returning.
That was the last meal I really splurged on before my job ended and money ran tight again. It was so incredible that I wouldn't want to even attempt to recreate it here. Nothing could compare.
When we make it back to our reality, I'd gladly treat you. I have a feeling we'll have more than earned it.
Although I guess it's a little ridiculous to plan for something like that... Call it a rain check for a hopeful future.
[Thinking about the future - when they slink back to reality, Maruki will be nothing more than a faded memory of a shitty time in some rural nightmares. He doubts they'll cross paths again. Could care less if they did, but-]
A rain check it is.
Though given what you said, perhaps I should be the one to treat you. It's the least I could do given all the meals you've tried to recreate here.
I can already predict what you'll say to that offer, so I have a proposition. It's a simple one.
When we get back to reality, we'll play a game - the winner decides who pays for the meal.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Yes, or so I would assume. I've spoken to a few people there while looking around and all seem to have found books from their world. One person even found one written by their friend about eudaimonia.
no subject
That is... beyond strange, even for a cognitive reality. Books, of all things. That's not nothing.
Have you found any from our Tokyo?
no subject
Our world, yes. Our Tokyo? Impossible to say. There are many titles I recognize and many more that I don't.
It's definitely odd. I've thought so from the moment I've arrived, so I'm happy to see you've reached the same conclusion.
My question is more - why does it stop at books? If the collective unconscious is able to be represented in this form, why do we live in a hovel of a town with no amenities or items from other worlds? It's baffling it ends at the library.
no subject
Books... Here's my initial thought. Books would be uniquely dangerous objects to allow to exist in a place like this, with people from so many other realities. Have you met men by the name of Loki, or Puck? Both come from their own unique realities, but they're represented in mythologies in ours - and, I assume, in many others. When I met them in my dreams, very early on... that was when I first began considering the role of the collective unconscious here.
So then, what happens if a person here whose very existence draws from a figure in the collective unconscious encounters a book from someone else's world that they appear in, even if only as a representation?
Perhaps nothing. I'm fully aware that I may be overthinking things. It wouldn't be the first time. But there is a liability there, a manipulation within a manipulation, so it shocks me that our captors would risk it.
And then, to your point: Why not anything else? Why only the riskiest possible cognitions of objects from our realities? There has to be a reason for it.
It's a strange game they're playing. I don't enjoy being a part of it.
Sorry for writing so much. That threw me. I'll need to visit the library soon.
no subject
But here-]
No need to apologize - you provided a good argument. I have little to add on the matter at this time, though it's not for lack of thought over it.
I think we can reasonably assume this 'game' ends with someone, or a group, gaining power via our exploitation. While not proven, that tends to be the motive in most scenarios. Something about us here helps them, but I know we've spoken about this before. I won't rehash old points.
However-
Maybe the library is an unintentional consequence to someone trying to usurp. Find a way to break the hold the main group has and use use to gain power themselves.
Wouldn't that be an interesting development?
That's a bit outlandish given our lack of evidence though.
[Hey, he found a carrot though!!! Score. Don't give this shit to Maki.]
no subject
[ lol. ]
Hey, hypotheses exist to be tested. Hah, I just realized that's an interesting way our professions diverge... As a detective, you gather the evidence and draw conclusions as you go. As a researcher, I think of a conclusion that could possibly be reached and work to see if there's evidence for it.
Anyhow, what I meant to say is that it would be an interesting development. Do you know if the library was started by the creatures here, or by our fellow captives? If not, I can find out when I go.
no subject
To my current knowledge, the library has always been here. At one point, a group was upholding it to stricter standards than now in terms of organization. The books seem to appear at random.
[Potato - he found you! Bless.]
Cabbage is on sale - should I get one?
no subject
Please do. I can always find something to do with cabbage.
Have you ever had luck finding tofu here? More things I'll never take for granted again...
no subject
No, though I wonder if they have an alternative made from an item other than soy.
I received green milk from the labyrinth. Obviously, I didn't drink it, but it makes me wonder if there could be green or blue tofu hidden somewhere in this market. We may need to adjust our expectations to find the items we want.
no subject
no subject
I did. I can't say I was impressed.
no subject
Well. Yuck! Maybe I'll learn to make my own tofu then.
[ ... ]
You really only ate instant meals back home? There was no one to cook for you?
no subject
Maybe this place has a vendetta against detectives in particular. I would say I'm joking, but I suppose I'll confirm that during the next exploration.
And no, I live alone and have for some time. My schedule is so busy between school, work and media appearances that those became a necessary staple. They work well enough.
no subject
He won't press for more information. The refreshing thing about having him as a friend rather than a patient is not needing to do that. But it's noted. ]
Maybe this is presumptuous, but... Could I join you during the next exploration? I'm eager to see it myself.
no subject
However, I have to warn you that it can be dangerous. Please prepare yourself accordingly. My recommendation is a weapon and first aid supplies.
no subject
A weapon... What do you normally use?
no subject
A knife, for the time being. It was suitable for defense last month. You should find something just as versatile and functional that you're comfortable with.
Of course, I have the training between us. Yours would only need to be used in the event of my incapacitation or if we're separated.
Let's hope that doesn't happen.
no subject
I appreciate that more than I can say, Akechi-kun. But I don't intend to be a burden for you to carry through whatever we encounter, so I'll be sure to figure something out.
Have you gotten injured in other explorations you've done?
no subject
While I would like to tell you otherwise - Yes. Though it was from the recent dungeon exploration and during the attack on the town, not the labyrinth.
No injuries were life threatening and I was healed at the clinic a short time after returning.
no subject
Well. Just as you'll protect me, I'll do my best to protect you. I wouldn't want to see you injured regardless of severity.
no subject
Thank you for your offer and concern over the matter.
It may not come to that at all. Imagine, all this preparation only for us to land in a room full of okonomiyaki to eat out of.
no subject
Hah! We can certainly dream, can't we?
Or tempura udon...
Ah, I fear that dinner tonight will be a disappointment in comparison to these thoughts.
no subject
Regardless, any taste of Tokyo is meaningful, don't you think? It's all certainly better than dry bread from a questionable satchel.
screams in wildcard parallels
When we make it back to our reality, I'd gladly treat you. I have a feeling we'll have more than earned it.
Although I guess it's a little ridiculous to plan for something like that... Call it a rain check for a hopeful future.
vibrating shaking crying throwing up
A rain check it is.
Though given what you said, perhaps I should be the one to treat you. It's the least I could do given all the meals you've tried to recreate here.
I can already predict what you'll say to that offer, so I have a proposition. It's a simple one.
When we get back to reality, we'll play a game - the winner decides who pays for the meal.
whispering to scow to scow to scow to myself like a nutter
gnaws on the enclosures of reality HFieHFISHGSJOGPS
(no subject)
(no subject)