... 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.]
Hey! Are you saying I wouldn't pay you well? That's mean... I'm the Overlord, you know! And I've got a bunch of macca I can exchange for yen back home! I'll be so rich! I'd pay you a great salary! And you'd have benefits! And time off!
[ This is to say nothing of Maruki being a bad fit for the job. Smh. ]
Someone is gonna have to negotiate with the government to recognize my supreme authority in a peaceful way. And someone as plain looking as you is perfect for the job.
[??? This has suddenly become a mildly hostile take over... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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[Damn, dude... What a downgrade...]
I guess it's cool that you can drive.
[He just thought you had some sort of earth shatteringly cool career lined up...]
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It's not exactly an exciting career, I know, but it does pay better than counseling...
[ Unfortunately, that's true. ]
And I'm sure it'll only be temporary...
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I'm going to come to your Tokyo and you're going to be my new evil advisor.
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I'd be terrible at that and you know it!
[ ... ]
And I doubt it pays well...
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[ This is to say nothing of Maruki being a bad fit for the job. Smh. ]
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And what exactly does being your evil advisor entail, Kazuya?
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[ hold on. The cogs are turning. ]
Someone is gonna have to negotiate with the government to recognize my supreme authority in a peaceful way. And someone as plain looking as you is perfect for the job.
[??? This has suddenly become a mildly hostile take over... ]
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Negotiate with the government? I'm the last person who should be doing that... And I'm not trying to install you as the new ruler of our reality!
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Kazuya puts both hands on Maruki's shoulders, very gravely, and very seriously, he looks him in the eye.]
I'll be real good at it, I promise.
FDSLKJ WE CAN WRAP... DOOPID