Labyrinthium Inbox

[heartofthestar]

Hear.
Feel.
Think.
Call.
Message.

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text; un: doc0203 - 12/04

[placation]

[ Sent quite literally as soon as it becomes clear that the world around them has crystallized and become uninhabitable, save for those few spaces that already were carved out for homes. The woods surrounding the machiya are even a maze of crystal now. It's a mess. ]

I was hoping to do this in a more formal and meaningful way, but given what just happened-

My home is yours, if you'll allow it.

Please.

[heartofthestar]

I had wondered what circumstance might at last cause me to settle down, even that little bit.

I am hardly surprised it is you.

[placation]

[ ONE HIT KO!! His heart... ]

I can hardly believe it, but...

I'm glad. More than glad.

I'd want you here even if the world weren't thrown into chaos.

[heartofthestar]

As well I know. You had been hinting at that, after all. But I wished for you to say it directly, given that it is a rather important matter!

[placation]

I'll say it again when you're here. As many times as you want to hear it.

I should warn you it's a fairly full house now... Eren has taken over the guest room as his own, so with you here, there will be five of us most of the time. I hope you don't mind.

[heartofthestar]

Your friends and family are mine. Nor will any of you take it amiss should I spend some time apart as needed. I've no fears nor concerns.

[placation]

Of course. You're welcome to do anything you like.

And I'd like it if we could continue our camping from time to time. Well, once everything is less crystalized, I mean...

[heartofthestar]

Full well do you know you cannot and shall not stop me from doing so, nor shall I ever turn you away from accompanying me. I feel like this shall change little except where I reside nightly.

[placation]

Well, if there's anything I can do to make it more like home for you, just tell me and I will.

[heartofthestar]

What more should I need than your presence? If I am certain of but one thing, it is that no other place could be home, lacking that.

[placation]

Stop. You're killing me. I'm only a man, Venat. Have mercy!

And you say that now, but you might want... I don't know, a library, or your own training grounds, or... anything, really.

Candidly, I'm used to living in a shoebox and having just enough money to keep the heat on. Being able to give everyone that I care about the sort of home they desire is a unique joy. Let me do the same for you.

[heartofthestar]

If I have such desires, I will speak to you about them, and we shall come to a decision together. Really, Maruki, you are quite overthinking this, as is your particular way.
You have asked, and I have responded, so fret no more. Let us instead find joy in this new arrangement.

[placation]

I've told you, overthinking is my only useful skill.

Alright. Then I'll see you at home!

Hah, that's nice to say...

[heartofthestar]

And pleasant to hear.

I know I cannot have been the easiest partner at times, considering my complete unfamiliarity with all this and the consequent confusion and slow pace, but I wish you to know that in this matter, I feel nothing of the sort. This is the correct step, and I welcome it with all my heart.

[placation]

Venat.

Come on. I have to dispel that notion before it takes hold.

Unfamiliarity, confusion, whatever you think constitutes a slow pace - none of that makes this difficult for me. You're the easiest person to be with.

[heartofthestar]

The path has not been easy. But the companionship makes it worthwhile, and the challenge quite pleasant. Worry not, for I've no doubt that you've found the benefits worth the effort, and the effort mild thanks to them. As have I.

[placation]

I believe you. And I'll do my best to squash that impulse to overthink.

[heartofthestar]

But remind that impulse of what I shall do to it, should I catch it, and that may be dissuasion enough.

[placation]

Don't threaten me with a good time! Or threaten me at all... hah...

[heartofthestar]

The parts of you that do not act in your best interest deserve little mercy. How could I hesitate to join the battle on your side against them?

[placation]

Listen, I'm not complaining about it!

Although, it does make me wonder...

Do you have any parts of you that don't act in your best interest? It hardly seems so, from my perspective.

[heartofthestar]

A fair question. To answer, I must first consider what precisely my best interest is. I spent some time addressing that very question, when I found myself here -- divided between the feeling that I was being kept from the rest I had finally achieved, and the desire to experience life once more. Whichever I decided was in my best interest, would not the other one inherently be working against that?

[placation]

I suppose you're right. That seems like a balance you've learned to strike, though. Or you're just very good at fooling me.

[heartofthestar]

If I may, it is because I spend less time thinking about what I want, and more thinking about what I want.

[placation]

What's the difference...?