[ The thought of how he's fucked up does not occur to him until Lioriley enters the door. His friendly greeting smile freezes instantly on his face.
Maruki is healing. Slowly, but healing. The superficial cuts and scrapes and bruises visible in the few places his skin shows are fading, and he moves a little easier than he did when he first stumbled to the clinic to be stitched up. But his right arm is still very much in a sling, and he is still very clearly not in great shape.
Maruki laughs nervously, closes the journal he's been indexing and stands, more than a little sheepish. ]
Lioriley-san, hello. Before you say anything, please understand that I wasn't kidding when I said it could have been much, much worse.
( She sets the scones down, frowning up at him as he stands. The audacity to lie to her like this! And to do so days ago and still look awful. )
That hardly makes your condition any less concerning, my friend. ( Her voice is calm, her leylines as steady as her heartbeat. She has scolded so many people like this before. ) You should be resting, but I am sure you are well aware of that.
Ah... Well, I've been told to go back to the clinic in another few days to be checked up on, but aside from that...
[ He's considered asking Akechi, but they both had only attempted to care for the other's wounds out of necessity, no other options present to them and death the only alternative. It's not something to bother him with now that they're back. ]
Twas not my intent to scold. You are hardly a child. ( Young to a woman so much older. Not so much as a human. ) I am close by- will be, once my clinic is completed. Allow me to extend the offer of more... routine visits, if you so wish it. Until you are healed fully.
Although such meetings need not end entirely. I would like to consider us friends.
( She's dabbled. The boon of being old and well-traveled is that she has met most of the rare physicians of her world. That, and she's spent some time at the hospital to study the more mundane practices.)
I am capable of aiding without it. Might I ask why you have an aversion?
[ It's not a topic that Maruki avoids for any true emotional reason. His reticence to discuss it is practical in nature: Somnius is a volatile place, filled with dreamers from realities more difficult than he could ever hope to imagine. The worst thing to happen to him back home would be a banner day for most people here. Comparing pains isn't useful in the slightest, but he's cognizant of the fact that his pacifistic ideology was a privilege.
As he speaks, he'll bring the scones over to the table in front of the little sofa, gesture for her to join him. ]
I was fortunate enough to not experience pain for almost my entire life, and it's become a true avoidance. This was my first major injury, and it was because of a situation I put myself in. So... I'm using it as a learning experience, to find the value in my own pain.
[ There's more to it than that, but that's the general gist, and it runs deeper than he could ever hope to express.
He takes an appreciative bite out of the scone – those gelflings really know what they're doing! ]
( She sat, legs crossed and hands resting atop her thigh. Lioriley always assumed it was an aversion to magic, given that it was a rarity even back home. Offer any human magical healing and they would either assume it was fake, or be horrified by the very prospect of it.
Maruki's answer surprised her, for obvious reasons. )
Sense enough, I suppose, if that is how you wish to see yourself through it. ( it was not a path she would recommend, but so long as he was taking care of it, she had no right to object. ) Have you learned anything from this experience?
[ An immediate, easy joke, with a grin that crinkles up into his eyes. ]
Beyond that, yes. I've learned an important lesson in the consequences of my own foolish actions, and something about relying on others when help is offered.
[ Another bite of the scone and then he gestures to the little box. ]
They're so good, thank you very much! Please, have one, I can't eat them all and my patients will descend on them like jackals.
[ Tough crowd! But also, an entirely valid question, and one he's been mulling over in his spare time. Maruki settles back into his corner of the couch with a little sigh. ]
Indeed. I won't pretend my reality was easy, but there were definitely fewer instances of mortal peril. Guess I'm growing by force.
[ He remembers their Sleepr conversation. Hadn't appreciated it enough at the time, but in hindsight... ]
I'm even more impressed now that you can fight but choose not to. Can I ask... hah, maybe this is too deep of a question for a snack break, but I really am curious...
( Her expression dimmed slightly, glowing lines upon her skin flickering. She would not wish such experiences on anyone, and she loathed to think that Maruki had no choice now but to suffer such peril. )
I have seen enough death. ( The simple answer while she considered her further response. ) Wars waged for naught, lives lost by the thousands for a cause most of them did not even understand. I am but one person - but I always hope my desire to resolve such situations without violence will be noticed and adopted by others.
I have been told I am naive for my way of thinking.
[ The simple answer says it all, but the details wring a tight fist around Maruki's heart. He's already so preoccupied by the suffering seen in his own reality, in this one, heard about in others' – it's impossible to imagine living for so long and witnessing so much more.
But there's no pity in his tone when he speaks, only strong conviction. ]
I don't think that's naïve at all. I think that's incredibly strong. It's easy, I imagine, to default to attacking – it's more difficult to engage peacefully as you do.
[ The scone is a bit tasteless on his tongue now as he takes another bite and considers his next words. It's a dicey thing to promise, considering the powers that he knows he needs to regain, but– ]
You're not only one anymore. I'm with you in that resolve.
( It was funny how Lioriley always thought the opposite. It was so much easier for her to be kind, to abstain from violence where the rest of the world did not. It was the opposition that made it far more difficult. )
I am glad for that. ( She said, smiling over at him again.) I pray we never need to prove such convictions here, but I am sure I am being far too optimistic in that regard.
[ It feels duplicitous, having conversations like this while fully intending on regaining his power and working his hardest to find a way to peel back the layers of reality and confront the true powers that be in this place. Maruki isn't foolish enough to believe he'll be able to do that without fighting at all – but for all intents and purposes, her brand of pacifism still speaks deeply to him, and he doesn't want her to feel so alone.
Which reminds him, and he sits up straighter with a start, eyes going wide. ]
I just realized– I meant to reach out to thank you again for your papers, but time got away from me! I'm so sorry! Lioriley-san, I really can't thank you enough. They've been such a huge help, and I think I've only gotten through a quarter of them at best. The work you've done to record everything... It really is unmatched.
[ It comes out in a rush, but it's earnest. ]
How can I repay you? And don't say that I don't need to! I want to.
( For whatever it was worth... at least he would try? Lioriley could not fault someone for making an active effort to do things nonviolently, even it they did not succeed.)
Ah- ( Her hand shot up, dismissive - it's fine, - the leylines curved along her cheeks brightening at the sudden insistence. Lioriley was never good at accepting repayment for favors. ) It is in my nature to document and share knowledge as I am able, there really is no need for repayment.
( Really. You're embarrassing her, Maruki. ) Simply share any knowledge you might find that I missed. That is all you need do.
[ From someone not used to repayment to another: Too bad! He's repaying!! ]
Well, sure, I'm happy to do that. Collaborating with you in that way is an honor. But I mean it when I say it's been really helpful for my work so far... I'd like to do something more to show my gratitude.
[ He suddenly points to the scones, grinning brightly. ]
And you brought me sweets! Come on, Lioriley-san. There has to be something I can do.
I - ( She genuinely couldn't think of anything. Lioriley's cheeks bloomed with heat, the color a deep purple over the usual pink or red. ) I suppose I will have to think of something. Until then, please just accept my offer of information exchange.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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( And she is! About five minutes later she knocks on the door to warn him of her arrival, stepping in after she assured it wasn't locked.
She brought blueberry scones from the bakery in town because of course she fucking did. )
Good afternoon- ( insert pause for when she sees his LYING ASS. )
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Maruki is healing. Slowly, but healing. The superficial cuts and scrapes and bruises visible in the few places his skin shows are fading, and he moves a little easier than he did when he first stumbled to the clinic to be stitched up. But his right arm is still very much in a sling, and he is still very clearly not in great shape.
Maruki laughs nervously, closes the journal he's been indexing and stands, more than a little sheepish. ]
Lioriley-san, hello. Before you say anything, please understand that I wasn't kidding when I said it could have been much, much worse.
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That hardly makes your condition any less concerning, my friend. ( Her voice is calm, her leylines as steady as her heartbeat. She has scolded so many people like this before. ) You should be resting, but I am sure you are well aware of that.
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It really isn't bad enough to keep me from my work, I swear. Honestly, it helps me keep my mind off the pain!
[ Man, that's not healthy either… ]
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( Stubborn. What a surprise from a man in a field relatively similar to her own. )
You should not be ignoring your pain. Do you have someone checking your wounds regularly?
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[ He's considered asking Akechi, but they both had only attempted to care for the other's wounds out of necessity, no other options present to them and death the only alternative. It's not something to bother him with now that they're back. ]
I'm sure you're going to scold me for that too.
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Although such meetings need not end entirely. I would like to consider us friends.
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Really? Do you mean it? I'd appreciate that. Ah, but– I'm looking to avoid magical healing, if I can at all help it.
[ Does she practice good old regular degular modern(-ish) medicine? God he hopes so. ]
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( She's dabbled. The boon of being old and well-traveled is that she has met most of the rare physicians of her world. That, and she's spent some time at the hospital to study the more mundane practices.)
I am capable of aiding without it. Might I ask why you have an aversion?
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[ It's not a topic that Maruki avoids for any true emotional reason. His reticence to discuss it is practical in nature: Somnius is a volatile place, filled with dreamers from realities more difficult than he could ever hope to imagine. The worst thing to happen to him back home would be a banner day for most people here. Comparing pains isn't useful in the slightest, but he's cognizant of the fact that his pacifistic ideology was a privilege.
As he speaks, he'll bring the scones over to the table in front of the little sofa, gesture for her to join him. ]
I was fortunate enough to not experience pain for almost my entire life, and it's become a true avoidance. This was my first major injury, and it was because of a situation I put myself in. So... I'm using it as a learning experience, to find the value in my own pain.
[ There's more to it than that, but that's the general gist, and it runs deeper than he could ever hope to express.
He takes an appreciative bite out of the scone – those gelflings really know what they're doing! ]
Hopefully that makes sense?
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Maruki's answer surprised her, for obvious reasons. )
Sense enough, I suppose, if that is how you wish to see yourself through it. ( it was not a path she would recommend, but so long as he was taking care of it, she had no right to object. ) Have you learned anything from this experience?
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[ An immediate, easy joke, with a grin that crinkles up into his eyes. ]
Beyond that, yes. I've learned an important lesson in the consequences of my own foolish actions, and something about relying on others when help is offered.
[ Another bite of the scone and then he gestures to the little box. ]
They're so good, thank you very much! Please, have one, I can't eat them all and my patients will descend on them like jackals.
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Difficult lessons to learn, and often can only be done so amidst crisis.
( She didn't want a scone, but politeness demanded she take one anyway, chewing on it fully before speaking.)
It is difficult to discern how one might respond to danger while all is peaceful, hm?
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Indeed. I won't pretend my reality was easy, but there were definitely fewer instances of mortal peril. Guess I'm growing by force.
[ He remembers their Sleepr conversation. Hadn't appreciated it enough at the time, but in hindsight... ]
I'm even more impressed now that you can fight but choose not to. Can I ask... hah, maybe this is too deep of a question for a snack break, but I really am curious...
What drives that?
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I have seen enough death. ( The simple answer while she considered her further response. ) Wars waged for naught, lives lost by the thousands for a cause most of them did not even understand. I am but one person - but I always hope my desire to resolve such situations without violence will be noticed and adopted by others.
I have been told I am naive for my way of thinking.
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But there's no pity in his tone when he speaks, only strong conviction. ]
I don't think that's naïve at all. I think that's incredibly strong. It's easy, I imagine, to default to attacking – it's more difficult to engage peacefully as you do.
[ The scone is a bit tasteless on his tongue now as he takes another bite and considers his next words. It's a dicey thing to promise, considering the powers that he knows he needs to regain, but– ]
You're not only one anymore. I'm with you in that resolve.
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I am glad for that. ( She said, smiling over at him again.) I pray we never need to prove such convictions here, but I am sure I am being far too optimistic in that regard.
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Which reminds him, and he sits up straighter with a start, eyes going wide. ]
I just realized– I meant to reach out to thank you again for your papers, but time got away from me! I'm so sorry! Lioriley-san, I really can't thank you enough. They've been such a huge help, and I think I've only gotten through a quarter of them at best. The work you've done to record everything... It really is unmatched.
[ It comes out in a rush, but it's earnest. ]
How can I repay you? And don't say that I don't need to! I want to.
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Ah- ( Her hand shot up, dismissive - it's fine, - the leylines curved along her cheeks brightening at the sudden insistence. Lioriley was never good at accepting repayment for favors. ) It is in my nature to document and share knowledge as I am able, there really is no need for repayment.
( Really. You're embarrassing her, Maruki. ) Simply share any knowledge you might find that I missed. That is all you need do.
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Well, sure, I'm happy to do that. Collaborating with you in that way is an honor. But I mean it when I say it's been really helpful for my work so far... I'd like to do something more to show my gratitude.
[ He suddenly points to the scones, grinning brightly. ]
And you brought me sweets! Come on, Lioriley-san. There has to be something I can do.
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I - ( She genuinely couldn't think of anything. Lioriley's cheeks bloomed with heat, the color a deep purple over the usual pink or red. ) I suppose I will have to think of something. Until then, please just accept my offer of information exchange.