Maruki finds himself outside a home he last visited as a small child. The memories of being picked up and held close by a king are a little hazy, but they're undeniably there.
He stops to crouch down next to Orthrus, offering both heads a firm pet as he calls out– ]
Kazuya! Kazuya, come out here, I think I might burst into tears over your dog again!
[Orthrus is barely able to lean into Maruki's hand and slobber over it before Kazuya is bursting out of the door, wincing only briefly at how hard to door hits the wall before he's rushing to the older mans side.]
I knew you'd be back! Did you get lost like I thought?
[His words come fast, excited, because maybe part of him had accepted that the other man might not be coming back after a few days went by, especially after how crazy some people had gotten at his disappearance.]
Jeeze... Disappearing like that. Do you know how many people you had worried?
[He's chastising him, but only because he'd been worried too.]
[ He's been back for roughly twenty-four hours, and it's been made abundantly clear just how much of a mess his absence left in its wake, as destructive as a black hole.
He looks up at Kazuya, sheepishness almost instantly overtaken by pure, uncomplicated joy–
And then he's standing, holding his arms open, reaching to embrace his friend. ]
[He was never going to mourn Maruki, who as far as he was aware, hadn't even left.
So instead he reaches up, patting the older mans head to console him.]
You're back now, and that's all that matters. Besides, even if you went home, I'd come find you too after I go home. You're too much fun to not bother.
That strikes him at a different angle now than it would have before. He'd always appreciate Kazuya's belief that he could come find him in Tokyo, always cleave to it, but now with his future there for the taking and no one by his side as he walks into it...
Yeah? Of course I promise. And... Later, I'll come by with a camera, alright? We'll take a picture together, and I'll give it to a demon. Just in case I do forget, for some reason, that demon can remind me.
[He's made the same promise before. He'll visit everyone, make sure to come to their worlds, make sure that he can spend time with the people he cares about in their proper homes.]
I mean, I wont be able to stay forever, since I have my own world and all, but I can visit often!
... Actually, that's not a bad idea either. Give me something of yours too! Doesn't have to be important, but if it does have your scent, then they can absolutely track you down after we're outta this place.
[<- does not realize how alarming that would be to a normal person.]
[Ah! He's shoved, and Kazuya makes a surprised sound.]
No way! If this place wipes my memories, I wanna be able to find you as soon as possible! I don't wanna remember like, five hundred years too late! What if our timelines are linear, huh?
[ He's still laughing as he shoves Kazuya again, lighter this time, impossibly affectionate.
God, would he ever have laughed this much back in Tokyo? It's difficult to believe... ]
I don't care! If that's the case, I'm sure you'll find a way to figure it out without resorting to letting demons track my scent. I believe in you, above all else.
A light dusting of red coats his cheeks in light embarrassment.]
You're gonna make it that hard on me, huh? [Kazuya shoves him in the chest (gently!) like the embarrassed teen he is.]
It's not like the other demons would do anything to you, you know! I'd make sure they wouldn't. You'd be safe. I wouldn't even let them into your world in the first place!
... Though I might have to break any sort of barrier between your world and the demon realm to get in in the first place... That's how it worked for my world and the demons...
[ Kazuya flushing and demurring like that does get Maruki to lay off, at least, one hand coming up to rest easily on his shoulder, laughter dying down, smile gentling.
And at that caveat... ]
Well... I may now know of a place where it's easier to do that. And ideally less dangerous for the general populace.
[ Maruki hesitates for a moment. He hasn't outright told anyone exactly what occurred back in the true reality, all the truly terrible details. Kazuya certainly won't be the first to hear it. He may never speak all of it into existence here at all.
But he can at least say this. ]
The cognitive world that I theorized about... I was able to finally experience it for myself when I returned. The collective unconscious is more or less made for situations like what you're describing.
[ He has no idea how to access it again, of course, but if anyone can figure it out from the other end, it's surely the king of all demons. ]
Where there's a will, there's a way, and your will is strong. I know you'll be able to find me.
[ Is it made for situations like that? It's hard to believe, but Maruki is way smarter about things like that than him, and not to mention... There's always weird stuff going on in different people's worlds, huh?
He should probably accept that he's right, given that the other man uses a demon too. Even if it's one that stays in his head, apparently. ]
Well.. I guess I'll have to figure that out, then. Maybe one of the older demons might know something about it.
[... He's not going to ask the Bels. ]
Alright, I'll give it my best. And then, when I get there, you get to treat me to dinner in celebration!
[He's so curious! If Maruki isn't a councillor anymore, what is he doing? Some other scientific endeavours? Figuring out the deepest mysteries of the human psyche?
Look at him. Kazuya is utterly RAPT with attention.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
> kazuya
Maruki finds himself outside a home he last visited as a small child. The memories of being picked up and held close by a king are a little hazy, but they're undeniably there.
He stops to crouch down next to Orthrus, offering both heads a firm pet as he calls out– ]
Kazuya! Kazuya, come out here, I think I might burst into tears over your dog again!
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I knew you'd be back! Did you get lost like I thought?
[His words come fast, excited, because maybe part of him had accepted that the other man might not be coming back after a few days went by, especially after how crazy some people had gotten at his disappearance.]
Jeeze... Disappearing like that. Do you know how many people you had worried?
[He's chastising him, but only because he'd been worried too.]
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[ He's been back for roughly twenty-four hours, and it's been made abundantly clear just how much of a mess his absence left in its wake, as destructive as a black hole.
He looks up at Kazuya, sheepishness almost instantly overtaken by pure, uncomplicated joy–
And then he's standing, holding his arms open, reaching to embrace his friend. ]
You knew I'd be back, huh?
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Of course I knew you'd be back. You weren't even gone that long, and everyone was acting like you'd never come back.
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How can he begin to explain to Kazuya how much that means to him now?
He can't. Not yet, not with words. All he can do is cling tight as he murmurs down into his friend's hair. ]
I can imagine they were difficult to deal with. I'm sorry... and sorry to have left you. I never meant to.
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[He was never going to mourn Maruki, who as far as he was aware, hadn't even left.
So instead he reaches up, patting the older mans head to console him.]
You're back now, and that's all that matters. Besides, even if you went home, I'd come find you too after I go home. You're too much fun to not bother.
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That strikes him at a different angle now than it would have before. He'd always appreciate Kazuya's belief that he could come find him in Tokyo, always cleave to it, but now with his future there for the taking and no one by his side as he walks into it...
Maruki looks stunned, poleaxed. ]
You'll come find me. Do you promise?
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[He's made the same promise before. He'll visit everyone, make sure to come to their worlds, make sure that he can spend time with the people he cares about in their proper homes.]
I mean, I wont be able to stay forever, since I have my own world and all, but I can visit often!
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Maruki's eyes go wider – less stunned than before, more alarmed. ]
You– hold on. You'll show my photo to a demon? It sounds like they're a bloodhound you're going to have after my scent...!
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[<- does not realize how alarming that would be to a normal person.]
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No! I'm not doing that. Find me under your own power.
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No way! If this place wipes my memories, I wanna be able to find you as soon as possible! I don't wanna remember like, five hundred years too late! What if our timelines are linear, huh?
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God, would he ever have laughed this much back in Tokyo? It's difficult to believe... ]
I don't care! If that's the case, I'm sure you'll find a way to figure it out without resorting to letting demons track my scent. I believe in you, above all else.
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A light dusting of red coats his cheeks in light embarrassment.]
You're gonna make it that hard on me, huh? [Kazuya shoves him in the chest (gently!) like the embarrassed teen he is.]
It's not like the other demons would do anything to you, you know! I'd make sure they wouldn't. You'd be safe. I wouldn't even let them into your world in the first place!
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... Though I might have to break any sort of barrier between your world and the demon realm to get in in the first place... That's how it worked for my world and the demons...
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And at that caveat... ]
Well... I may now know of a place where it's easier to do that. And ideally less dangerous for the general populace.
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[Does it involve killing gods? It'd be really awkward if he started another holy war just because he wanted to visit a friend...]
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[ Maruki hesitates for a moment. He hasn't outright told anyone exactly what occurred back in the true reality, all the truly terrible details. Kazuya certainly won't be the first to hear it. He may never speak all of it into existence here at all.
But he can at least say this. ]
The cognitive world that I theorized about... I was able to finally experience it for myself when I returned. The collective unconscious is more or less made for situations like what you're describing.
[ He has no idea how to access it again, of course, but if anyone can figure it out from the other end, it's surely the king of all demons. ]
Where there's a will, there's a way, and your will is strong. I know you'll be able to find me.
[ Without demonic bloodhounds. ]
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He should probably accept that he's right, given that the other man uses a demon too. Even if it's one that stays in his head, apparently. ]
Well.. I guess I'll have to figure that out, then. Maybe one of the older demons might know something about it.
[... He's not going to ask the Bels. ]
Alright, I'll give it my best. And then, when I get there, you get to treat me to dinner in celebration!
not kazuya being the first one to learn this
Treat you to dinner? Alright! If you insist.
[ And then, chest nearly puffing up with pride– ]
Actually, it would be my honor. I have a feeling my new career back home will be much more lucrative than counseling was.
I CANT BELIEVE THIS
[He's so curious! If Maruki isn't a councillor anymore, what is he doing? Some other scientific endeavours? Figuring out the deepest mysteries of the human psyche?
Look at him. Kazuya is utterly RAPT with attention.]
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I'm a taxi driver!
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... A taxi driver?
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But he does pause, proud smile turning into mild curiosity. ]
Yes... surely you've seen them around Tokyo. I have my uniform, if you don't believe me.
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FDSLKJ WE CAN WRAP... DOOPID