heartofthestar (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
heartofthestar) wrote2024-01-09 08:37 pm
heartofthestar) wrote2024-01-09 08:37 pm
Labyrinthium Inbox
Feel.
Think.
Call.
Message.
Feel.
Think.
Call.
Message.
[ Rice vinegar: Achieved!! And with that, through all of their chatter, he plates up and sets before them their breakfast spread: Rice, miso soup, cucumber radish salad, tamagoyaki, little octopus weenie sausages, an assortment of cut up fruit, yet more coffee...
Yes, he does this every morning. Real housewife shit over here.
But even with breakfast set out, he doesn't come around to join them in his own empty seat. He's too proud, for the moment, standing there with his hands on his hips, beaming at them both. ]
Oh, I'm sure if you wanted help, we could join you at the library. Don't you want to make a whole day of this?
[ He knows Akechi doesn't. ]
Please enjoy the food!
[ So proud!!! ]
Yes, he does this every morning. Real housewife shit over here.
But even with breakfast set out, he doesn't come around to join them in his own empty seat. He's too proud, for the moment, standing there with his hands on his hips, beaming at them both. ]
Oh, I'm sure if you wanted help, we could join you at the library. Don't you want to make a whole day of this?
[ He knows Akechi doesn't. ]
Please enjoy the food!
[ So proud!!! ]
Hah, funny you should bring housemates up...
[ A sip of coffee from the thermos, followed by a hiss of pain – hot hot hot!! Fine, he'll let it sit, try to force the truth out now that his tongue is sufficiently burnt. ]
Kurusu is here. The friend from my reality that I told you about.
[ Friend is such an insufficient word for what they were, and an overstatement of what they are now. What else can Maruki call him, though? ]
Something's gone wrong between the reality he comes from and the one I know to be true, though. He doesn't know me at all. From his perspective, we've never met. Isn't that funny?
[ It's not, not at all, and he doesn't sound like he thinks it is. The opposite! It's a miserable question. ]
[ A sip of coffee from the thermos, followed by a hiss of pain – hot hot hot!! Fine, he'll let it sit, try to force the truth out now that his tongue is sufficiently burnt. ]
Kurusu is here. The friend from my reality that I told you about.
[ Friend is such an insufficient word for what they were, and an overstatement of what they are now. What else can Maruki call him, though? ]
Something's gone wrong between the reality he comes from and the one I know to be true, though. He doesn't know me at all. From his perspective, we've never met. Isn't that funny?
[ It's not, not at all, and he doesn't sound like he thinks it is. The opposite! It's a miserable question. ]
[Venat claps her hands together in delight.]
I cannot fail to do so.
[Yep, this is the kind of stuff she loves. How could it not be? Not just the results and the presentation, but his simple pride and delight in the accomplishment.]
In fact, I daresay I could grow accustomed to this.
I cannot fail to do so.
[Yep, this is the kind of stuff she loves. How could it not be? Not just the results and the presentation, but his simple pride and delight in the accomplishment.]
In fact, I daresay I could grow accustomed to this.
[Her response is to gently squeeze his hand, letting the pressure speak what words would take too long to say. Compassion, sympathy, warm, care. As casual as he makes his words, she understands.]
Is he from a time before you two met, or because the timelines have diverged?
[What does it say about their lives, that such a question is almost routine?]
Is he from a time before you two met, or because the timelines have diverged?
[What does it say about their lives, that such a question is almost routine?]
[ It's an absurd thing to have to consider, but Maruki has spent the better part of his life fascinated by theoretical ways of tampering with reality. In many ways, the temporal anomalies they deal with here are nothing less than his just desserts. ]
The latter, almost definitely. I haven't ruled out that it's a matter of cognitive manipulation instead, but...
[ He holds his free hand, thermos and all, before him, tilting it to the left. ]
From my perspective, I left our true reality in December. Christmas Eve, to be precise, after having spent the past half year working at his school and becoming close friends.
[ Then, tipped to the right: ]
From his perspective, he left the following August. He lived past that Christmas, into the new year, moved out of Tokyo, returned during the summer... That's eight months beyond my time. And I never worked at his school. We never met at all.
[ A beat, and he drops that hand back down to his side, the sound of coffee sloshing in the thermos and the soft crunch of dried leaves underfoot. ]
I don't know what to make of it. We should always know one another. It's critical.
The latter, almost definitely. I haven't ruled out that it's a matter of cognitive manipulation instead, but...
[ He holds his free hand, thermos and all, before him, tilting it to the left. ]
From my perspective, I left our true reality in December. Christmas Eve, to be precise, after having spent the past half year working at his school and becoming close friends.
[ Then, tipped to the right: ]
From his perspective, he left the following August. He lived past that Christmas, into the new year, moved out of Tokyo, returned during the summer... That's eight months beyond my time. And I never worked at his school. We never met at all.
[ A beat, and he drops that hand back down to his side, the sound of coffee sloshing in the thermos and the soft crunch of dried leaves underfoot. ]
I don't know what to make of it. We should always know one another. It's critical.
And so you shall again, it seems.
[Unspoken but clearly stated is the hope that he will see this not as a setback, but a new opportunity. His own timeline exists still, in which all is as he knows it, and now a second one has come into play for him to influence and shape.]
You recall I once told you that our time together would, without question, resonate. Throughout the aether and thus the star, and all that the star touches. Can you then find this to be coincidence?
[Unspoken but clearly stated is the hope that he will see this not as a setback, but a new opportunity. His own timeline exists still, in which all is as he knows it, and now a second one has come into play for him to influence and shape.]
You recall I once told you that our time together would, without question, resonate. Throughout the aether and thus the star, and all that the star touches. Can you then find this to be coincidence?
[Yeah, good job or whatever. It's food. Maruki makes it every single day. Venat please.
Whatever. He offers a quiet `itadakimasu` under his breath. Leans over the counter to grab his chopsticks - fruit and cucumber radish salad taking up most of his plate. Maruki is a good cook, and the food is tolerable. He won't deny that. ]
Whatever. He offers a quiet `itadakimasu` under his breath. Leans over the counter to grab his chopsticks - fruit and cucumber radish salad taking up most of his plate. Maruki is a good cook, and the food is tolerable. He won't deny that. ]
[ Truly the best thing about mealtime: Akechi's mouth closes.
Maruki does come around then, seats himself between them to tuck into his own meal. It's a simple pleasure, really, enjoying food with the people he cares about, but he never tires of it.
Then, after a few thoughtful bites: ]
You could, you know. Grow accustomed to it.
[ This is an A & B conversation. Akechi can C his way out of it. ]
I like having you here. If you like being here... well, there's no reason not to be more often, right?
Maruki does come around then, seats himself between them to tuck into his own meal. It's a simple pleasure, really, enjoying food with the people he cares about, but he never tires of it.
Then, after a few thoughtful bites: ]
You could, you know. Grow accustomed to it.
[ This is an A & B conversation. Akechi can C his way out of it. ]
I like having you here. If you like being here... well, there's no reason not to be more often, right?
No, of course it's not a coincidence. I know that for whatever reason, the fact that it's happening this way means it was meant to happen this way, but...
[ His heart seizes and clutches in his ribs. How does he begin to explain? For as well as Venat knows him, there's a horrible rot in his soul that he's yet to voice around her – and not for any lack of trust. Simply for a fear of driving her away.
His hand pulses hers in a squeeze once, twice. ]
It's complicated. I don't do well with being forgotten.
[ His heart seizes and clutches in his ribs. How does he begin to explain? For as well as Venat knows him, there's a horrible rot in his soul that he's yet to voice around her – and not for any lack of trust. Simply for a fear of driving her away.
His hand pulses hers in a squeeze once, twice. ]
It's complicated. I don't do well with being forgotten.
'Forgetting' is a loss of memories. The memories you mourn were never formed in the first place, in this case. I understand your pain, and the complicated emotions you must experience when you look on a version of someone important to you who does not know you, but I also know that you've the sense and the knowledge necessary to look at this situation more objectively, if you're but given the chance and reminder.
So come. Let me carry your burdens with you, so that you have the strength to build yourself a foundation once more.
So come. Let me carry your burdens with you, so that you have the strength to build yourself a foundation once more.
How eminently bold. Are you trying to get me to settle down?
[Venat regards him with a smile that is mostly mischief, though notably she is neither rejecting nor even displaying antipathy towards the idea. Spending the night here had indeed been pleasant, more so than she had imagined.]
[Venat regards him with a smile that is mostly mischief, though notably she is neither rejecting nor even displaying antipathy towards the idea. Spending the night here had indeed been pleasant, more so than she had imagined.]
[ She isn't wrong. Maruki does know the difference. He does have the sense, the knowledge. He's tired of having them.
It's necessary, though. For Akira's sake more than anything else. He's quiet, focusing on the hike, sipping his coffee, trying to calm the tempest in his mind that threatens to reform every time he thinks a little too long about that blank look in Akira's eyes. Finally: ]
It won't change how I treat him. He's exactly as I remember him, and nothing could keep me away. We'll become close again, I'm sure. Maybe even closer than before.
[ If it's possible for words to sound both earnest and exhausted, they do. Maruki means it. He's just– tired. ]
Anyhow. I hope you like him when you meet him. He really is one of the most remarkable people I've ever known.
It's necessary, though. For Akira's sake more than anything else. He's quiet, focusing on the hike, sipping his coffee, trying to calm the tempest in his mind that threatens to reform every time he thinks a little too long about that blank look in Akira's eyes. Finally: ]
It won't change how I treat him. He's exactly as I remember him, and nothing could keep me away. We'll become close again, I'm sure. Maybe even closer than before.
[ If it's possible for words to sound both earnest and exhausted, they do. Maruki means it. He's just– tired. ]
Anyhow. I hope you like him when you meet him. He really is one of the most remarkable people I've ever known.
Surely you would want the same courtesy for your loved one, when you should find one.
[Venat says this in precisely the sort of gentle tone that makes it impossible to tell for certain if she is being honestly considerate, or just attempting to send Akechi to the local burn ward.]
[Venat says this in precisely the sort of gentle tone that makes it impossible to tell for certain if she is being honestly considerate, or just attempting to send Akechi to the local burn ward.]
How could I fail to? He is important to you, after all.
[More than just optimistic devotion, Venat knows what Maruki values and cares for, and that they are oftimes in complete agreement on those points. For Maruki to hold such faith and value in a person, they must undoubtedly possess traits she too will find welcome.]
Although, if that is indeed the case, need we fear friction between him and Akechi? We full well know he is not the most socially gentle of people.
[More than just optimistic devotion, Venat knows what Maruki values and cares for, and that they are oftimes in complete agreement on those points. For Maruki to hold such faith and value in a person, they must undoubtedly possess traits she too will find welcome.]
Although, if that is indeed the case, need we fear friction between him and Akechi? We full well know he is not the most socially gentle of people.
[COOL COOL COOL.
The shitty remark he's about to make to Venat dies the second Maruki opens his own fucking mouth and the look he gets.
Oh, there's no love. Not a single bit. The temptation to pull out Loki is so strong. He'll give Venat a taste of what's to come if she chooses to take this asshole up on his offer.
The rational part of him realizes nothing will deter her. The illogical part wants to Riot Gun the room anyway. A flicker of calm reminds him of the 'no fighting in the Machiya rule' hanging on the fridge.]
The shitty remark he's about to make to Venat dies the second Maruki opens his own fucking mouth and the look he gets.
Oh, there's no love. Not a single bit. The temptation to pull out Loki is so strong. He'll give Venat a taste of what's to come if she chooses to take this asshole up on his offer.
The rational part of him realizes nothing will deter her. The illogical part wants to Riot Gun the room anyway. A flicker of calm reminds him of the 'no fighting in the Machiya rule' hanging on the fridge.]
[ Thank god. Attention diverted from his own misery and redirected toward two wildcards with a very unusual relationship, even if only temporarily. ]
Oh... I'm realizing just how much I haven't explained about our reality. To be honest, I never thought I'd have a reason to.
[ For as much as he missed Akira, he never let himself wish for his presence, even idly. Desires have real, tangible power here, and he would not be the one to drag his guiding light into a false reality. And so, without ever considering the threat of his appearance, so many things fell by the wayside. ]
What a role reversal. Would you like me to spin you a tale?
Oh... I'm realizing just how much I haven't explained about our reality. To be honest, I never thought I'd have a reason to.
[ For as much as he missed Akira, he never let himself wish for his presence, even idly. Desires have real, tangible power here, and he would not be the one to drag his guiding light into a false reality. And so, without ever considering the threat of his appearance, so many things fell by the wayside. ]
What a role reversal. Would you like me to spin you a tale?
[Oh, fuck it-
There's an abrupt push against the counter, as he slides his chair back and him with it - salad and fruit no longer his main focus. Nope. He wants to kill them. Wishes he could. There's a gun in his room, knives all around area, and a persona brewing in his chest to solve his little dilemma.]
I'm not so weak willed - reliance on shit like 'love' is so goddamn pathetic. The only reason you two are still alive in this world, and are able to live in such a delusional fantasy, is because you were fortunate enough to have undeserved powers. You're nothing without them. You're nothing alone. You're nothing but trash together.
By all means, Venat, visit more often. It's not as if a corpse has anything better to do. Maruki certainly loves to surround himself with them.
There's an abrupt push against the counter, as he slides his chair back and him with it - salad and fruit no longer his main focus. Nope. He wants to kill them. Wishes he could. There's a gun in his room, knives all around area, and a persona brewing in his chest to solve his little dilemma.]
I'm not so weak willed - reliance on shit like 'love' is so goddamn pathetic. The only reason you two are still alive in this world, and are able to live in such a delusional fantasy, is because you were fortunate enough to have undeserved powers. You're nothing without them. You're nothing alone. You're nothing but trash together.
By all means, Venat, visit more often. It's not as if a corpse has anything better to do. Maruki certainly loves to surround himself with them.
[ Sure would be a shame if both people in this room were the two to experience his meltdown clearly telegraphing his all-consuming desire to be wanted, needed, loved, wouldn't it?
Maruki doesn't rise to a single bit of the bait. He only looks mildly at Akechi, calm and present as ever. ]
If it ever becomes a genuine problem, we can discuss it and come to a resolution, as we have with all other matters. Until then, I'm going to take your candor here at face value. It's good that you're comfortable enough around Venat to speak freely.
[ The prince act is nonexistent around her. Fascinating. ]
Maruki doesn't rise to a single bit of the bait. He only looks mildly at Akechi, calm and present as ever. ]
If it ever becomes a genuine problem, we can discuss it and come to a resolution, as we have with all other matters. Until then, I'm going to take your candor here at face value. It's good that you're comfortable enough around Venat to speak freely.
[ The prince act is nonexistent around her. Fascinating. ]
And I respect your commitment and determination to keep trying, no matter that you'll never get the rise out of me you wish.
[She isn't lying, though of course that respect is tinged with more than a little sorrow for him. How deeply wrapped in himself he must be to not see what is so clearly obvious.]
[She isn't lying, though of course that respect is tinged with more than a little sorrow for him. How deeply wrapped in himself he must be to not see what is so clearly obvious.]
You're both sickening. I don't care what either of you think.
[Apparently there's going to be plenty of time for that - both to lodge his complaints and find a way to provoke her. That's the only benefit to her new standing in this home.
Whatever. He's ending his part of the conversation with a disgusted grimace, pulling himself back towards the counter to pick pieces of fruit on his plate.]
[Apparently there's going to be plenty of time for that - both to lodge his complaints and find a way to provoke her. That's the only benefit to her new standing in this home.
Whatever. He's ending his part of the conversation with a disgusted grimace, pulling himself back towards the counter to pick pieces of fruit on his plate.]
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