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...And you don't?

[What. Already, his behavior was strange, but he could chalk that up to something odd with his cognition. It's not unlike the brainwashing cases he's been pursuing back home, but an entire world...

He stares, wide eyed, because this all seems rather peculiar.]

Well, of course not. [But his other hand goes to his temple; he makes a discomfited sound in his throat.]

It's just—research. Data collection, matchmaking, missing cats, lost wallets. Unexpected items. Things of that sort.

[And yet, why does it feel like... no, his mind skips right off the idea that it feels like anything. Like a stone skipping on water, only to inevitably sink.]

And there are never any more severe cases? Never any exceptions to the peaceful status quo?

[It all just seems to... unbelievable. Too good to be true. There's an unease to his voice. He averts his eyes and inhales very slowly.

This is... hm.]

Well.... [He trails off. Why does he feel like there ought to be exceptions? Every time he tries to think about it, his thoughts hit a brick wall.

And then he forgets. He blinks up at his mirror image.]

Sorry, what were we talking about?

Crimes. Specifically how your world is evidently devoid of high profile crimes, but that seems so... unbelievable, if you don't mind me saying. That's not to say there is no good in the world, but there are always those who will take advantage of others, or pursue their own greed, no matter what it costs...

[It all sounds so... Wait.

Wait a fucking minute.

That Akira warned him about this, didn't he? And even Maruki himself has mused about a world where there's no pain.]

What about Shido?

... what about him? [It gets his attention; he scowls. It almost looks human. He doesn't like to think about his father.]

You said yours is a world without serious crime. What about Shido? Surely he, at least, is still guilty of one thing or another.

[He's unhappy. That's a good sign. It means this world, whatever it is, isn't some squeaky clean fairytale. Not entirely.]

... he's in prison. [Contradictory? Who the fuck knows. Not Akechi, that's for sure.]

Do you know what he's in prison for?

[It seems odd. No murders. No heavy crimes, yet prisons still exist...]

[And Akechi just blinks up at him, as if this is perfectly normal.] He wants to be there.

He—[What? What did he do? A little line appears between his eyebrows, before his face clears.]—felt he didn't do well enough as prime minister. So he went to prison.

...That's not how prisons work. Prisons are cages for criminals. Some who deserve to rot, some who are falsely convicted, as our country loves its 99% conviction rate.

If he simply felt he wasn't doing enough as prime minister, he would have resigned. For him to be in prison suspects he did something more egregious.

[But he can already suspect where this will go. His counterpart might wince, might grasp his temple, but then it'll be all sunshine and roses, won't it?]

Edited 2023-09-09 15:01 (UTC)

[It's a good prediction; he zones out for a moment, as if he's not quite there. You wouldn't notice unless you were watching him closely.]

That's how your prisons work. Trust me, I worked for him for two years. I know why he's there.

[Why was he so upset though, if everything in the garden is rosy?]

Edited 2023-09-09 15:08 (UTC)

[Oh? He cocks an eyebrow, eyes fixed on the other.]

A few moments go, you looked angry when I mentioned Shido. Yet you claim to have worked for a Shido who did nothing wrong and who simply felt bad. Rather a glaring discrepancy, don't you think?

[There's no conflict; he has this. Or he thinks he does.] Shido parted ways with my mother before I was born. She died when I was young, as an indirect consequence. Anyone would be unhappy about that.

[In truth, he feels very little about it if he thinks about it. A small sadness; a small anger. Then he forgets, and moves on.]

Then why did you work with him?

[This is just... argh. What happened to him? Is this what future awaits him if Maruki is allowed to have his way?]

[... that's a good question, actually. Very good. Why did he work for Shido?

He just stares at his counterpart for some moments, like a dead fish. Then, of course, he blinks.]

... It was somewhere to go. I didn't have anyone else. [What? It's true.]

But isn't it odd? He abandoned you and your mother. Why would he change his mind?

[And moreover...]

What did you do for him? Shido is a man who makes alliances when they benefit him in some tangible form.

[But he just laughs that horrible, tinkling little laugh.] You say the strangest things. Relationships don't last forever. Not business relationships, not romantic ones. It's natural for people to go their separate ways when their time comes.

[It flows from his mouth with no conflict at all. He'd have said the same before—in different words, with a burden of emotion that's been taken from him. Everyone will discard you.]

Honestly, I think he just wanted me around. He needed me. Probably to do with why he's in prison now, but—as I said, he's happier there.

[So many red flags, where to begin? The things he says- they're feelings he once used to shield himself from the world. Now he sees that it's more complex.

His finger taps on the table, slowly, frustratedly.]

But what did he need you for? And what about your mother?

[He blinks up.] What about her? Why are you asking so many questions?

[He might once, at this point, have asked what about your mother? But he isn't interested in such things any more.]

Because, to be frank, something feels very off. The way you seem to space out when I discuss certain topics. The way your statements seem to contradict each other in certain ways... It reads very much like there is a mental block. Something to shield you from one thing or another.

[He sighs loudly, rubbing his brow.]

I say this not out of disrespect, but concern. I have heard that a man named Dr. Maruki obtains a great power, and I can't help but wonder if he made you his little guinea pig.

[... and it rocks him. You can see him rock as he flinches back, as if the information catches him bodily and shakes him out, as his face goes slack—]

I've never heard of a Dr. Maruki. [Smiling, soft and gentle, almost pitying this strange other-self. As if Maruki hasn't already come up in the conversation several times.]

Are you sure you don't have a problem? Is there anything I can do? I can't make coffee, but there's more than one coffee shop in Yongen.

Edited 2023-09-09 16:07 (UTC)

I believe I mentioned him before. ...Are you sure you're all right? It seems like you may have a slight issue with retention.

[Hm, that came across as rather harsh. He's quick to correct-]

Not that this is a problem. Mental health is vast and diverse, and for some it is very easy to get caught up in the moment and miss certain details. And we have discussed a lot, haven't we?

I don't remember forgetting anything. [Was that a joke? He just smiles, and gets up from the table. He honestly doesn't remember much of what they've said.]

It's been very good of you to discuss this with me. I suppose I should see if my apartment is still there, or if I can check into a hotel, or something of that kind.

[Yeah, he's just gonna... leave. Must be endemic to the species.]

[Hm... It's frustrating. Every little push seems to be met with resistance. He could keep trying...

But there's only so much pushing you can do before you push someone away.

So he sighs, nodding.]

Take care, then. Apologies for burdening you with so much on your first day.

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pheasantboy - 2023-09-09 18:06 (UTC) - Expand