[ Both of their faux-guesses make Maruki laugh, quiet but entirely genuine. Something deep in his chest warms and mourns at the same time; in its own strange way, this is likely as close as he'll ever get to some distant, ancient dream of home and family. He decided long ago that it wouldn't ever be for him, but– maybe, in some false reality, some facsimile of it can briefly exist.
Doesn't matter. He's busy putting the finishing touches on a simple cucumber and radish salad, hunting around for his rice vinegar as he speaks. ]
Two words? I can't begin to guess...
[ What a poor showing on his part. This is like scow all over again.
Then, to Venat, in between opening and closing cabinet after cabinet: ]
Is it a real clue, or has he invented an impossible one to make us look bad?
Had he done so, we'd not need to ask. Clues such as this may vex me, owing to the differences in speech between you two and myself, so I've no intent of promising answers to all.
[Possibly putting it mildly; the differences truly stand out at times, and she has on occasion wondered what lies beneath the divergence in pattern and words.]
For all we're aware, the writer is thinking of a word unbeknownst to any of us.
Why would I make up a clue for a crossword puzzle? That's idiotic. Don't imply I'm a liar because you can't figure out a simple word.
[SECONDLY - Venat's not wrong. Loathe as he is to admit it. The crossword isn't from Japan judging by most of the clues. Who's to say it's not from a completely different world entirely, with a whole other structure behind its language? It's impossible to know for certain.]
Perhaps the library has more dictionaries - I'll have to look. With enough effort, I could likely narrow it down and figure it out. Though I'll start with the one in my room.
[Yeah SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN FOR TODAY. BUSY BUSY DAY of reading the dictionary]
[ 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?
[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.
[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. ]
[Well, whatever. He shuts the fuck up and eats. A blessing to all, truly. He munches away and checks his phone while they do whatever they're gonna do!!!]
[ 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?
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.]
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.]
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.]
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. ]
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.]
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.]
hehe we can wrap up unless either of you have more :3ccc
And yet, you'll continue to solicit our opinions. What a paradox.
[ A peace offering, though – Maruki piles the rest of the apple slices onto his plate, then begins peeling an orange for Venat. He gets to provide for both of them in small, simple ways. What more does he need to be happy? ]
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Doesn't matter. He's busy putting the finishing touches on a simple cucumber and radish salad, hunting around for his rice vinegar as he speaks. ]
Two words? I can't begin to guess...
[ What a poor showing on his part. This is like scow all over again.
Then, to Venat, in between opening and closing cabinet after cabinet: ]
Is it a real clue, or has he invented an impossible one to make us look bad?
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[Possibly putting it mildly; the differences truly stand out at times, and she has on occasion wondered what lies beneath the divergence in pattern and words.]
For all we're aware, the writer is thinking of a word unbeknownst to any of us.
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Why would I make up a clue for a crossword puzzle? That's idiotic. Don't imply I'm a liar because you can't figure out a simple word.
[SECONDLY - Venat's not wrong. Loathe as he is to admit it. The crossword isn't from Japan judging by most of the clues. Who's to say it's not from a completely different world entirely, with a whole other structure behind its language? It's impossible to know for certain.]
Perhaps the library has more dictionaries - I'll have to look. With enough effort, I could likely narrow it down and figure it out. Though I'll start with the one in my room.
[Yeah SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN FOR TODAY. BUSY BUSY DAY of reading the dictionary]
When I find the solution, I'll let you both know.
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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!!! ]
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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.
1/2 no one SAW 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. ]
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softlaunches You're Getting A Stepmother, Akechi
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?
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[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.]
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No????? Absolutely not??? Chopsticks? Down. Attention? ON THEM.]
By all means keep making plans - no one else lives here after all.
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[ Maruki smiles warmly at her, then turns his attention over to Akechi. ]
I'm only suggesting Venat stay over more regularly, if she'd be amenable to that. Calm yourself.
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[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.]
CARRY ON LEXY : )
[ And Maruki? Has a death wish. Clearly. ]
cw: VIOLENT THOUGHTS 1/????
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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.]
end
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.
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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. ]
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[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.]
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[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.]
hehe we can wrap up unless either of you have more :3ccc
[ A peace offering, though – Maruki piles the rest of the apple slices onto his plate, then begins peeling an orange for Venat. He gets to provide for both of them in small, simple ways. What more does he need to be happy? ]