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buttrinthum2024-04-30 10:34 pm
TDM #9
Whether it be sleep or death, you feel your eyes close, and as your body begins to let go, you see a barn owl that is flying through the darkness, soon sweeping you across the clouded sky. You feel yourself mouth the words, “I wish, I wish..” and utter your deepest and darkest desire.
When you regain consciousness, you’ll find you are in an unfamiliar place with no recognition of how you arrived here. You have the clothes on your back, but nothing else. No weapons and if you had a particular superpower, you’ll notice it is missing. All you have is a satchel with a piece of bread, a vial of water, and a potion. The potion could be red, blue or golden. There are no instructions about these potions other than two words: Drink Me.
Will you drink it or not?
There is a parchment, handwritten in scrawling, jagged lettering that seems a bit... ominous:
You’re in a garden, surrounded by flowers and plants– most of which you cannot identify. However, there are a few that you can make out: Larkspur and Anemone You’ll soon find out that being around the Larkspur makes you almost overwhelmingly tired, to the point you might even feel sluggish and in desperate need of a comfy place to rest. Why not lie down right in the garden? Or better yet, find someone to snuggle up with and sleep your worries away. The only truly strange part? You don’t seem to dream. At all. Straying too close to the Anemones, meanwhile, grants an entirely different effect. One second you’ll be walking through the garden and then suddenly you’re twenty feet away and facing the wrong direction. Even worse, whatever those flowers have done to you will sometimes make it so you “glitch” through solid objects – your leg might suddenly be lodged in the ground despite it being perfectly solid a moment before, or your arm could be shoved halfway into a wall that… actually, was that wall even there before? Nevermind that. The effects only last for a few minutes at worst, so at least you’re not stuck there forever, right?
Thanks to the combined efforts of dreamers and dragons, Vaeros is asleep. No one knows for how long. The locals aren’t particularly pleased with this turn of events and the village is a mess, but at least the moon is high in the sky again and everything is back to normal… relatively speaking. Things start to change... morph into something more dreamy, more surreal. It's subtle at first but after a few days…
The aftermath of the overgrowth, animal attacks, and the overall chaos of Vaeros' tantrum has left the village a little worse for wear. While most of the damages are cosmetic and could be fixed by the local's efforts alone, maybe a little help would be appreciated? If nothing else, it might help alleviate a little bit of the tension still lingering in the air after the events at the castle.
That, and the locals seem to be acting kind of strange. Leaving them to their own devices might not be the best idea. The Gelfling you are aiding in repairing a half-broken wall has been hammering for what seems like hours and when you look to see what they're doing, they haven't actually made any progress - they're just hitting the same spot over and over again, potentially making the hole even bigger. Did the goblin you just passed have a completely blank face for a moment? Others might walk into things, off of things (Starlight Cliff might be a hazard zone), or suddenly and inexplicably become aggressive toward dreamers, grabbing anything they can get their hands on (kitchenware, vegetables, a goose??) to use as a weapon. It's a very bizarre scene and the villagers don't seem to notice there is anything wrong with the people around them.
It’s not just the locals either. The animals have been acting equally strange. There's a wolf inside the clothing shop trying on suits, a goat standing (or trying to stand) on its hind legs, bleating out random words like a town crier while jingling a bell around its neck to get everyone's attention. Where you should find the local baker, suddenly they're replaced with a deer holding a paddle in its mouth to stir up a batch of brownies.
To top it all off, there's an eerie sense of deja vu no matter where you go or what you do. Didn't you just help that goblin with the wheelbarrow an hour ago? So why is it halfway across town again? You could have sworn you had to go and grab groceries, but your pantry is full like someone already had.
Days pass and the oddities continue to make themselves more and more apparent. The sidewalks seem uneven and wobbly at times, threatening to toss people walking across them to the ground or even fling them into the air with a sudden violent ripple. Walking through the forest sees the leaves of the trees melting into green goo that sticks to your clothes, your hair, and your skin - potentially staining them green and leaving you in dire need of a bath. You can always wash off in the lake, of course, but even that is not free of the strangeness occurring in Visium. The water of Lake Omen has turned to lava, at least in color; although there is no heat radiating from it when one approaches. That, and the locals are still fishing in it without issue, save the fact that they keep pulling up fish with tophats on.
Speaking of fish - they're raining from the sky now (tophats or not) in all sorts of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Good news! They're still edible. Bad news, they're probably trying to sell you something.
If you do decide to try the fish or any other meal in town, especially those served by the locals, you'll find that it doesn't taste like much of anything and most certainly doesn't fill you up, at least not at first. Everything is bland and unappealing until left in the presence of dreamers - and the more you share the meal with, the faster the taste returns.
Even with Vaeros asleep, only a small portion of the labyrinth is still accessible. Those that attempt to explore will find sections made up of pillows and cushions, and no matter what time of day it is elsewhere, this portion of the labyrinth seems to be stuck in perpetual twilight. Explorers will also immediately feel drowsy, then lulled to sleep by the quiet singing whispered through the air like a lullaby. Anyone brave enough to try and rescue those poor souls from their impromptu naps would be wise to plug their noses and cover their ears with earmuffs to block out the sound.
At night, dreamers dream. They will be visited by the same melody heard in the labyrinth, though it is distant. They will also hear a woman telling them to spend more time together, to bond and create things together in order to soothe the effects of Vaeros' magic growing wild in his dreams. Dreamers will also have the ability to visit other's dreams, meeting in a dreamy light liminal space that will not feel so real when they awaken.
Welcome to the labyrinthum TDM! Characters will arrive depowered and with only their clothing, and will be given a satchel with a crystal pendant, a communication device, some water and bread and a magic potion. If they drink the potion, they will manifest an elemental, healing or animal transformation ability.
With the exception of Castle Vaeros, characters are free to go as they please, so feel free to place them in any of the locations available on the map. Yes, this includes the Labyrinth - though characters will not be able to clear the maze.
You can find more information about the game here. Any questions regarding the TDM can go under the comment below.
iii fuck him up
The recognition immediate - Maruki-san, the ever helpful counselor, purveying that altruistic fantasy even in his dreams. It's pathetic. True intentions should be lain bare in these 'worlds' and yet-
Maybe he's a better actor than he thought.]
Ah, Maruki-san. I didn't think we would meet again like this.
[But he sits because that was the request and the ever obedient, ever kind, detective prince wouldn't dare ignore such an appeal and-
He scans the photocopied room for signs of Shido - papers with familiar headers, an ashtray with a fresh filter, a mark of corruption that's so easy to associate with those entwined with the humble Shujin Academy..]
Unfortunately, I'm afraid this may be a waste of your time, as odd as that sounds for a dream. My mental health has never been better. [Hands fold neatly into his lap, posture open and voice friendly - just as he's supposed to be.] Perhaps you're in need of someone to talk to, considering you even dream about your work.
everything is fine and normal idk what you mean :)
[ It really is! A familiar face is entirely welcome. Every time he falls asleep to find another dreamer walking through that door, he wakes up more tired than before. It's been a fantastic way to meet people and suss out who he should focus his energy on, but there is still a particular mental strain that comes with counseling even in dreams. An inability to turn it off, so to speak.
And of course Akechi pinpoints it immediately. Detective prince and all. Maruki sits comfortably on the opposite couch and shrugs with a laugh. ]
No, I'm fine. I've been trying not to analyze it too much, but I'm willing to bet my subconscious is trying to soften the blow of this sudden change by giving me a little familiarity to cling to.
[ Because this office DEFINITELY HAS WIFI AND CENTRAL AIR yes he's still annoyed.
He isn't about to force Akechi into a counseling session that he doesn't want, but the same sentiment he's given to everyone else rings truer than ever now: ]
You don't have to have a session here, if you don't want to. But outside of this dream my door will always be open to you if you change your mind– ah! Wait!!
[ Relaxed calm immediately broken as he suddenly leans forward to push the snacks toward Akechi with a huge grin. ]
You'll appreciate these more than anyone else has!
[ Jagariko! Donut-Worry! Non-static Gum! Happy Pop! Phantom Wafers!! WELCOME HOME GORO AKECHI ]
no subject
[The snacks are a pleasant surprise - the little konbini treats sans one particular item with a familiar top hat flared logo.
A bright red tint that matches their leader's blood.
He grabs the jagariko instead, peeling the top of the small container - content with the salty dream snack. The Phantom Thieves treat a brief thought - a topic to bring up. The unfortunate death of their leader, the group's obvious split, of the-
Death. The unfortunate death. The sad death. A nauseating, dizzying death.
He hasn't blinked, eyes focused on the treats and-
He does now - leans back into the couch and pushes the butter flavored snack into his mouth with a small crunch.]
Even though it's only been a couple months, these snacks make me nostalgic for home. I have to admit I've taken the amenities in my life for granted - this place is a good reminder of what we should be grateful for.
[Because everything in this rural shithole makes him crave the modern comforts of Tokyo.]
oh god just cw this whole thread for unreality & tentacle shit
God, into whatever this place is. Maruki pushes his glasses up into his hair to pinch the bridge of his nose, kneading into his eyes with an exasperated huff of a laugh. ]
It really does a good job of putting things into perspective, doesn't it? A delayed, packed train could throw my whole day off before. Now I'd give anything to experience such a rote inconvenience again.
[ Hand dropped back into his lap but eyes still closed, he tips his head against the back of the sofa and sighs. ]
I'd be tempted to say that sort of forced gratitude might play a role in why we're here, but I've talked to enough people who seem all too glad to have escaped their realities, so...
[ A beat and he straightens again, eyes open and–
a blur of darkness just behind Akechi, snaking up behind the sofa, and it–
g̶̪͍̺͚̫̃́̄̀̃̃̎̍̀͐͛̕̕͠l̶͔̦̘̺̳̣̪̼̉̀̈́͛̽́͛̌o̷̟͕̩̘͇̦͙͙̠͎͎̪̦͗̈̈́̏͋̊͆͊̓̌̆͘̚w̶̫̞͕̼̦͖̞̦̬͖͚̌͗͊̽͜͝s̷̭̰̹͙͚̜̙̫̼̥͆̀̋͘͘͝
–disappears. Maruki startles and shoves his glasses back down onto his face, and it disappears.
Nothing. Only Akechi, and his snacks, and his pleasant smile. Maruki blinks. ]
... I'm sorry, I– I thought I saw something.
no subject
In the body of a cat, mobile and unyielding, between the inane discussion of lifelong friends.
Maruki's voice blends in with the occasional crunch in his mouth - Akechi only half listening. People happy to escape their realities, hiding from their real worlds, forced gratitude as a factor, but that doesn't explain contracts and-
A crunch. Maruki shifts. Silent. Akechi notes it because a dream is subject to the whims of people in it. Akechi's own mental state solid and strangled into submission. The good doctor is the only wildcard between them.
And he's not the only one who can observe. A stutter. A blink. 'I thought I saw something.'
There is no thought and even if had been a simple mistake, the cognition is a powerful thing. Acknowledgment can shift 'reality' in strange ways.
It makes this whole situation a bit more exciting, too. A desire to egg it on to see what crawls out from the shadows of fake bookcases, of bowls of well meaning snacks.]
Oh? I wouldn't ignore that feeling, if I were you. As they say, your dreams are insights into your own mind. Your body is trying to tell you something.
[Curiosity and feigned concern drip from his voice. He doesn't move - doesn't twist or try to glance around the area. Only corrects his posture, tension holding his shoulders straight.]
I wonder what yours is trying to say right now. Perhaps it even feels like I'm a threat-
[A soft laugh - he's joking and waves a half bitten stick in the air.]
Because of all the crumbs I'm leaving on your dream couch, of course.
no subject
It's absurd enough that it makes him laugh. High and nervous, still unsettled by... whatever that was, but he laughs all the same. He hasn't yet had reason to tell Akechi about his background beyond being a counselor, a researcher. Inevitably it will come up, if they do work together, but he feels the need to hold it close to his chest for now.
Counseling isn't as difficult as people seem to think it is. There is a phenomenon wherein people find it easier to open up about their pain and struggles to a new acquaintance, rather than their loved ones. He uses it to his benefit often enough that he can recognize the same impulse in himself here – it would feel less daunting to explain cognitive psience and its applications to a relative stranger from an entirely different reality than it would to someone he may have shared a subway car with back home.
Not that either are enticing prospects at the moment. Not with what began percolating in his mind mere hours before waking up in the labyrinth. Not with what he saw–
s̶̝͈̖̭̮̿͂͋̈̄̊̍́̔e̴̛̯͒̃͊̌̑̄͝ę̸̡̖̳̍̽̋̆̍̚͠ș̸̨̫̟̳̥͉̪̔̎ ̸̢̡̨̰̜̪͍̲͇́ą̴͙͍͕̻͎͎̈́͋͑̓̏̊̀ͅg̵͖͎̚͝a̶̺̻̪͓̙̤͙͆į̶̺̣͈̂̀͜ń̵̙͖̏̊̃̆̍̒̈͝ͅ ̸̧̦͇̮͉̺̦͚͍͐̂n̸̯͕͇̲͕͑͑͋̽͌̈́̽͠ȍ̶̡̡͚̣̖̿ͅw̶̘͙̲̄̈̑͘
–in that office, his back to a blood red sky.
Maruki shakes his head vigorously. The room dims a bit, natural enough to just be the result of cloud cover moving over the setting dreamtime sun. ]
My mind has certainly had enough to try to work through this week. It wouldn't be too surprising if I'm tired enough to start seeing things that aren't there, even in my own dreams. Although I feel like I've slept more here than I have in–
[ No mistaking it this time, no blaming it on blurred vision. A darkness pooling around the edges of the room, black as tar and shifting amorphous as lines of glowing cyan begin to streak through it, like it's coming to life, like it's–
A tentacle snakes its way out of the mass, and with a wordless shriek Maruki jumps up from the sofa, grabbing Akechi's arm to yank him up and drag him away. ]
no subject
Luck isn't typically on his side - he has to tear out every victory, every win. It stands to reason luck wouldn't make an appearance now - wouldn't apparate a photo of a cruel man to flutter against his feet or for the world to distort into a more familiar office, covered with chain smoker soot or-
A humble room in Shujin Academy, a student leaning against a worn couch without a single mark on his forehead.
Not that he wanted to see that at all.
The words bring them back to normalcy. A shift in cognition missed and forgotten until-
He's grabbed - a move sudden and instant. Fingers wrap around his arm and his first instinct is to attack the threat he knew was looming. No sword, no knife - a dreamworld that's only armed him with cheap snacks. His expression contorts and shifts with a bitter, enraged and spit out 'You-' with a hand against Maruki's own forearm to rip, rip, rip him off when-
An ethereal blue, a world shifting in his peripherals. A mask glued back in rapid time and his own eyes falling to the-
Tentacles?
Again?
From a grown man instead of a teenage boy this time - unreal.]
Maruki-san - I understand the mind wanders, however...
[He doesn't even KNOW how to deal with this.]
no subject
Another squawk, this one more undignified and offended than terrified for his up until recently, relatively uneventful life. ]
What? No, that's not– this isn't my dream!
[ The doctor doth protest too much, apparently, because two more tentacles wriggle up from the expanding, writhing mass.
For the most part, his dreams in this office have been exceedingly normal. A little typical frustrating dream logic of being unable to read or write. The only true distortions were courtesy of Eren – a brief flicker of an unknowable beast, a book transformed. Otherwise, his subconscious' control over this dream realm has been remarkably steady. So it would stand to reason that–
Į̷̫̤̳̯͖́̀͘ ̶̦͔̈A̴̝̺̿̃̀̏̈̕͜ͅM̵̨̻̰̩̲͚̈́̀̄ ̴̨̲͓̦̺͈̦̃͐͂̐͒̚Ṭ̶̳̬̹̾͝Ḩ̵̡̜̹̙̇͂̈́͜Ȩ̸̛̠̪͌͆̒̀ ̸͎͛̂̄͆O̵͔̤̘͖̦̦̍̎̐͊̅T̷͈̹̱̒̏̋̌H̴̥̙̹̰͙͂̀̀Ē̶̢̠͔̮̉̒̀͠͠R̶͐̑͆̍͌ͅ ̸͍̯̪́͆͒̏̀̌̚Y̴͉̗͎͉̗͈̊͛̐̎̀̕͘͜Ŏ̷͍̰̯̝̪̗̍̾͌̕͜U̸̡̝̻̯͐̓͝
–that the blame for this rests squarely on Akechi.
Maruki grips him tighter, tries to wrench him farther away from the tentacles that appear to be growing spindly, grasping hands. ]
Akechi-kun, what is this!?
no subject
[The fuck he did not imply this eldritch lite shit originates from him. The ironclad grasp on his demeanor slips and had the small holographic nails pulsing from the writhing body morphed around a familiar blade or gun, he may have entertained the thought.
This is not him and-
A static voice. A discombobulated hum - a man being eaten away by an unfamiliar entity. Coiled around the mind and given shape by-
What? The obvious trigger being a stressor, but even so, this extends beyond the norm. It reminds him of the barbed vines from a few weeks ago - Maruki wasn't here to witness it. Doesn't add up.
The grip on his arm is an annoyance - allowed for the moment, while he assess what's happening. It's not a palace, not Mementos - it's a dream.
But how different are they, really, when it comes to cognition and subconscious desires?
That's a future Akechi pondering. Current Akechi is pressed against a bookshelf with a scared man's hand wrapped around his arm as a vice. There's an assortment of weird shit crawling their way and a man denying himself as the source.]
It's your dream - you hold the power here, so use it, Maruki-san. Your will is stronger than whatever is eating away at your mind right now. Find a way to rebel against this.
[Wish it away. Warp it away. Put it in a hotpot - he doesn't give a shit at this point. There's no fear in his eyes, feigned or otherwise. Nothing can permanently hurt them in a goddamn dream - that's probably why they're in this situation. Maruki hasn't gotten the memo yet.]
Fight back.
god akechi i am sorry. you should have used them as a rope toy and destroyed
All of his terror is surface level. Sympathetic nervous system in control. The well worn flight impulse in the face of an unfamiliar danger. Pupils dilated, heart racing. He doesn't want to be hurt, he doesn't want Akechi to be hurt – default mental states for him. An avoidance of potential pain that is ingrained deep into every cell of his body.
But beyond that–
Rebel?
Hasn't he seen this before? In a more solid form, with a voice, with a purpose. He hadn't felt fear or the need to fight back. Rebellion was not an option he would have ever considered.
Akechi's encouragement is incredible, but it isn't meant for him. He isn't a fighter. He never has been. ]
I–
[ One tentacle closing in, the ghastly hand outstretched toward them. If the intention was to attack, it would have already. They're well within its reach. It could grab either or both of them, quick as a flash, pull them down into the rest of its void black mass.
But the hand is outstretched. Palm up. Like a gift.
There is nothing at all eating away at his mind. Below the churning surface, everything is placid. A deep well of calm reserve that he draws from to reach forward–
a̸̮̒n̴̗̈́d̴̤́ ̵͖͝t̸͉͝ạ̸̏k̸͎̈́e̴͗͜ ̵͍̒i̴͙͝t̶̝̋.̸̩̔ ]
Oh.
[ All three of the tentacles still at once. The one before them only moves to fold its fingers around Maruki's hand. Massive as they are, it's almost like a handshake. ]
Oh! They're... friendly.
[ Helpless little look to Akechi. He doesn't get it either, kid. ]
[WILLPOWER PLAYS IN THE DISTANCE]
A gentle world too, for that matter, would crush this idiot under its heel.
He drops a hand into the dream tenacle(??)'s grasp - an attempt Akechi should stop, but morbid curiosity keeps him plastered to the spot, waiting to see if he gets eviscerated in his own dream. Wouldn't that be cute.
Docile isn't safe. Friendly isn't protection. It can be feigned and warped to the fit the need.
Akechi watches with a look that can probably be described as awe, but it's at the man's blatant idiocy and trust in whatever the fuck this is. Not due to the fantastical scenario before him.]
So they are. Isn't that convenient? And here I thought we were in trouble.
[He is not touching them. An arm jerking free of Maruki's grip with a small, apologetic smile - he rubs the spot, as if it's sore. It's not. Get off him.]
I wonder what the meaning behind its appearance is. If not aggression, then I can hardly fathom what.
no subject
But he doesn't particularly relish the prospect of explaining something so patently absurd. When he thinks back on it himself, it still seems unbelievable. A voice in his head like an old friend resurfacing, suddenly made manifest before him, spectral tentacles writhing and a deal struck.
It's pure madness. He won't subject anyone else to it. Especially not Akechi – patient and kindly enough to put up with so much after having just met him. He doesn't deserve that.
So Maruki swallows it down and smiles, shrugs. ]
Like I said, maybe I'm just tired. Our minds are incredible tools, but they also have the ability to generate complete nonsense when they're stretched too thin.
[ The other tentacles farther across the room aren't receding, but they're still docile. Maruki looks from them to Akechi, still pressed against the bookshelf, and winces apologetically. ]
I'm sorry, Akechi-kun. In my other dreams, people have been able to wake up by exiting that door, so I'd tell you to just get it over with– but, well...
[ The tentacles are in fact blocking said door.
He tries to gently shake off the grip around his hand to no avail. The tentacle seems to think they're playing and shakes him back, slightly less gently, but still not aggressive. ]
I mean. You could try.
no subject
[Leaving isn't his priority nor is indulging in nostalgia. A man who's mind is run ragged and barebones, a distortion this unknown to him.
It's an ample opportunity to see what he can dig out, no matter how grotesque they are. They're meek and acquiescent. He doesn't expect that to last, given the sharp edge at each hand. There's something here. Call of Chaos could whittle it out in an instant, Maruki's own stress will have to take its place.
The hand shaking display is - whatever that is. Maruki's stuck in its grip - perhaps that's symbolic of something. It wouldn't be the first person he's run into whose body and soul are pinched in the ironclad grip of another.
He could almost sympathize, if he cared in the slightest.]
Perhaps this is a fun mystery we can solve together. Maybe I can try to be your counselor and - [A hand raises to mouth to cover a docile and airy chuckle.] you could give me a crash course. Am I supposed to ask if you're sure nothing's bothering you? Or is there a method to it?
just kick his ass akechi
Congratulations, Akechi. Maruki will take exactly the wrong thing from this interaction. ]
... Wait. Would you really be interested in being a counselor? I can see how you'd be great at it.
oh my GOD
Sorry, that was a joke. While I appreciate your support in the matter, I don't think I'm cut out for such a career. Being a detective suits me more than anything. I couldn't imagine another path.
[The bookcase pinching his spine, his body peels off it and starts to move towards Maruki. The door issue is a problem for future Akechi. If anything, he can just saw through the tentacles with a sharpened jagarico edge. Or something.]
My point is - I won't leave you stuck like this. I'll stay here until you're free, at a minimum.
no subject
[ No, he doesn't visibly deflate at all. The tentacle holding his hand gives him a little jostle as if to say chin up, buddy, you'll get him next time. Or create a perfect reality for him where he doesn't have a choice in the matter. One of the two. ]
Well, I do appreciate you offering to stay... You really are too kind to me, Akechi-kun.
[ Well, so long as they're sticking it out. Maruki gingerly makes his way back to the sofa, still wary of any sudden movements. The tentacle goes willingly with him, that burbling mass of darkness from which it came stretching to allow it to drape over the back of the sofa, still coiled around his hand. If Akechi's waiting until he's set free, he'll be waiting a long time. ]
It could be symbolic, of course. Quite literally feeling entangled in my job. But that's nothing out of the ordinary. I'm sure you understand with your own detective work! It can become your whole life.
[ Yes, carry on the conversation as normal like the other tentacles aren't creeping closer to also hang out by the couch. ]
no subject
The writhing living stands of flesh follow the doctor like he's a part of them, instead of figment of his mind. The couch is the new home for that eldritch beast, so Akechi takes a spot across from them - standing poised and tense around the few mounds converging towards the couch. The irony of sitting in the man's original chair too much, even for him.]
Of course. It becomes almost impossible to stop thinking about - your mind never turns off on the things you should have noticed or time sensitive tasks that need completed.
[Shido's upcoming election, for one. It's consuming. Annoying that he can't be in reality to continue what he started years ago.]
Ordinary or not - it may help to discuss it. The sensation of being trapped isn't always obtrusive. Sometimes it's subtle and sneaks up on you. If you don't let it out, it may constrict you before you notice you're being squeezed at all.
[Those tentacles are NOT friends Maruki.]
no subject
Maruki's mouth twists into a fond smile that he tries quickly to suppress, clearing his throat and straightening his shoulders back. ]
That's a very astute take on things. I'd tell someone in my situation something very similar.
[ Hey, look, the tentacles might be his friends!!! Maruki crosses an ankle over one knee and folds his hands in his lap. ]
You might be onto something with feeling trapped, though not by my work. We're quite literally trapped in this place, aren't we? I wonder...
[ One of the tentacles wiggles enticingly, pats the seat that Akechi hasn't taken. Settle in, bud. ]
Do you think time still passes in our reality while we're here, Akechi-kun?
cw: violent thoughts
[They are trapped here against their will and that incites a wave of rage through him, tempered by a brutal pull back. Aubrey's dream had taken some liberties with his emotions - he isn't going to end up with another variation of that. Shake it away. It's a common topic here.
The tentacle noted - he chooses to ignore it. He will not listen to a tentacle, thank you. He'll stand for the remainder of his life.]
To your question - in a sense. From discussions with others, it's less about time 'passing' for us and more about the idea of a set reality on an unchangeable path. That I'm less inclined to entertain, though I can't ignore the accounts I've heard.
[Passing conversations, one-on-ones - it's bizarre.]
There are some who are sent back to their reality, only to be pulled in again at a future or different time. However it's impossible to account for those who never came back nor do we know for certain those who 'return' for a second time were actually back in their true reality to begin with. Quite frankly, people are eager to trust whatever's told to them without considering the power of our captor.
[Arms cross and uncross - he settles his weight against his left leg, eyes watching the masses of blue tinted flesh for any reaction, any attack.]
I suppose none of that answers your question - as far as my belief, I'm undecided on the matter. If time is passing and it's already -
[New Years. It would be past the election day. Far beyond it. A man who rode his back to victory and deserves nothing but the worst, already living the high life.
Whether time passes or not, it'll make it all the sweeter to return in the throes of Shido's joy, to press his thumbs into his throat until only bubbling foam comes out. Even if he's got Shido's cabal on his back from 'vanishing', they won't catch him.
His eyes are dry - the spot on the wall turning into sharp, bright lines instead of off white.]
My apologies. My mind tends to wander - my hope is that time has simply stopped, as if we are in a dream.
god this is a mess AKECHI KILL THESE THINGS
No worries. I find it difficult to consider too, and I've barely been here a week. I can imagine how it weighs on people after a while. I hope the same as you do, but...
[ He folds his hands beneath his chin in thought for a moment before going on. ]
Our true realities being unchangeable, even if we're ripped from them and have our cognitions inextricably chaged in this strange world... It's such a total loss of free will, it seems like–
[ Y̵̨̰̩̥̓̈̚Ớ̵̮͕̠̝Ṵ̸͓̿̔Ř̶̩̩̹̾̄ ̵̠̪̗͐͊̕͘U̵̳̯̩̎N̷̖̅̿J̸̨̟̻͂̕͜Ṵ̸̞̭̈́͝Ŝ̷̩̜̹̺͗Ţ̵̛͑̇L̴̪͗̊Y̵̠̲͛̇̕ ̴̢̣̞͖̔̆̊̋P̷̺̦̜͘Ễ̸̢͓̔R̸̞̳̃̔Ş̸̛͎͍͍̎́͝E̴͐͗͜C̸͉͍͖̣͒U̴̦̣̘̥̚T̵̖̰͉̙̿É̸̳̹D̷͉͚͍̲̈́̆ ̵͕̻͆̈́̌̚İ̷̥̤̺̪̈́̃͝D̷̗͕̺̾͜E̷̳͉̯͒͠Ô̷̰̰̈̇L̴̘̩̗͖͑̏̋͆Ò̷̭̭͎͓͛̀̚G̶̼͊͒Y̷̗̪̞͈͑ ]
–such an act of malevolence. I can't see any other way of looking at it. I wouldn't trust anything that happens if a person like that is pulling the strings.
[ The blue glow pulses brighter once, twice, three times, before returning to its usual state. Maruki presses his free hand to his temple with a wince. ]
wow it's always 'akechi kill these things, akechi murder this guy, akechi stop stabbing me' god
Poke at it more. The man's pain meaningless when it comes to figuring out the source of this mess and-
He's impressed. The doctor's intelligence and reason winning the battle against compliance and acceptance. There's too many here willing to chug down potions, accept losses of power, live life and bond. He refuses.]
Do you think we have free will now? In a life where we supposedly a signed a contract under duress and are forced to live as dolls in some captor's grand scheme. A world where our only option is to react and live tied by bindings from a mysterious force until it deems us worthy of a 'wish'.
[Free will is subjective. The topic a constant back and forth, even with the freedoms provided of the modern world.
Not that anyone is truly free there either - not entirely.
He takes a couple steps closer - inching through the gross ass tentacles. To get a better look of their ethereal glow and when it responds and-
Maybe he steps on it a little. Whoops - what a goddamn shame. He's so tired he didn't notice how his heel dug in either. His face softens - expression full of feigned regret.]
I suppose it comes down to how free are rats in a cage?
no subject
But he knows at once how to answer Akechi's question. ]
No, I don't think we have free will now. Not at all.
[ The step, the squelch – Maruki watches carefully as the tentacles don't try to shift away from Akechi's path. If anything, they ooze further into it, as if daring him to misstep again. The hand wrapped around his forearm tightens – the strangest sensation, when it feels almost like nothing at all. The gel from an instant cold pack that he took from the nurse's cabinets one day to place over Mishima-kun's still battered nose. But there's a growing dull, insistent pressure, and as he speaks he tries once more to gently shake it off, to no avail. ]
It's a complicated subject, isn't it? Because of course, we can act in ways that I'm sure Vaeros didn't intend. I've heard from some of the other dreamers who have come in for counseling that there have been attempts to take him out. Is that acting in free will? It might be, in the micro sense, but it's within a larger context of– I like what you said. A cage. Freedom that is only so free, possibly as a tool to placate. That's something that has historical precedent, certainly.
[ He frowns then and asks Akechi in a tone more serious than he's taken with him since they met: ]
Do you actually believe that? About the wishes.
[ And if Akechi's looking for more glowing, he'll see it. ]
no subject
No, I don't think we have free will now changes that.
Not at all keeps him from digging his heel back into the curled up mass - reactions to pain that aren't as interesting as the shadows of Mementos, but curious all the same.
Maruki isn't an idiot. Isn't idealistic or lost in altruism and the false promises of fake god.
They're in a cage. Trapped. Leashed. Tied up with crumbs dangled over their head and being used for a purpose greater than they're being led to believe.
The tone shifts - Akechi's smile doesn't match it. It's the same saccharine look permanently affixed around those who need the person to match the image.]
Of course not.
[It glows. It rebels.]
This may sound somewhat pessimistic, but I don't believe for one moment that he has the desire to fulfill our wishes nor does he have the ability. In fact, the wishes themselves are rather dubious, don't you think?
[A curious prod at the glow with his toe - nothing painful.]
A contract signed under duress, coerced out our hearts to a mysterious entity that won't even show himself. It sounds closer to a criminal enterprise than a fairy tale. Though I am sympathetic to those who choose to believe that their wish will be granted, I am not one of them.
the countdown to dream azathoth putting an end to this bullshit is on!!!!
Maruki does believe that an entity could have the ability to grant wishes. Maybe not this entity in particular, but an entity, certainly. He knows that firsthand. And that's the danger in this: For whatever reason, Vaeros saw fit to pull him out of his own reality the moment he had what he wanted most in his grasp. He's already had his wish granted, and this place has taken it from him.
A frustration that has been percolating since the moment he awoke in the labyrinth, mirrored in Akechi's words. It's a profound relief. ]
I'm glad we agree. I've met some people who seem to take the circumstances at face value, and I just think that– well.
[ His free hand draws up to push his hair out of his face and rub beneath his glasses, the knuckles of his fist pressed against one closed eye as he speaks. ]
I find it to be a pretty transparent manipulative tactic. So then, to hear of some of the events that have unfolded here… How could it be anything but a way to attempt to keep people docile while using them to play out a different fantasy?
[ He readjusts his glasses, blinks away the spots in his vision as Akechi comes back into focus.
The headaches are familiar. He hasn't had them in years. ]
Please understand that I want to help people as much as I can while I'm here. It's the only thing I know how to do. But I want to let you know, Akechi-kun, that I have no intention of living out a comfortable life here that someone else chose for me. There is–
[ too much that I still have to do back in our reality dies on his tongue. The black mass grows a few more tentacles – handless this time, but more than capable of beginning to snake around Maruki's calves.
Sure, it's rebelling. But not against what Akechi thinks. ]
Hah– hey, knock it off.
[ They don't move any farther, but they don't release their grasp, either. ]
gnaws on god tentacles
As he told Eren all those months ago, you don't need to trust someone to ally with them. It's about goal alignments and shared perceptions of a situation. It's a brutal world and no faith can be lain in others.
Maruki's words mirror his own thoughts in a visceral way - it's about keeping them complacent and docile. Distracted and preoccupied. A group behind the scenes weaving threads into cloth meant to blind them.
He doesn't get a chance to say anything else - the tentacles worming their way around the man's body. The dream turning on its owner. Only one arm free.]
Have you thought about leaving through the door yourself? Ah, that may be difficult to figure out now.
[Maybe he-]
As crude as this is, you could let it suffocate you - dying in a dream tends to wake someone up. A racing heart should be the only side effect you have.
thanks for coming to counseling akechi :)