Vash "Cash Money" the Stampede (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bountyfull) wrote2023-04-07 12:15 pm
bountyfull) wrote2023-04-07 12:15 pm
IC INBOX - LABYRINTHUM
INBOX ✦ Text // Voice // Action
[ At any given time, on any given day in Somnius, Maruki's mind is comprised of 70% cognitive psience therapy psychobabble and 30% missing Tokyo so much that it's almost a physical ache. He has a better relationship to sentimentality than Akechi does, but still: Nostalgia can dig long fingers into his throat sometimes. He never thought he'd yearn for a place so badly. He never left long enough to let it happen.
So these little comforts are paramount. Cobbling together familiar meals, even with ingredients that aren't quite right. Reminiscing with Akechi or comparing notes with those who have resided in other Tokyo realities. And against all reason, a bath house, not exactly the same as any he'd go to at home, but similar enough to scratch an itch.
There is, of course, the suspicion that this is yet another cognitive manipulation meant to pacify. But that's not a thought for the moment; it's one for him to scribble down in the gifted notebook as he tries to fight sleep to avoid another night of his subconscious running him ragged in that liminal counseling office.
Maruki is doing great, by the way.
So anyway! This is a nice respite. He is shutting his brain off. The doctor is, for once, Out. ]
Like the lava in the–? Actually, no, I think I'd rather find out for myself. Or avoid finding out entirely.
[ He has absolutely none of Vash's hesitation and is in that water as quickly as possible, sinking all the way down to his chin at once. He draws in a deep breath and lets out a long, low sigh.
Then he cracks an eye open to look at Vash, details blurry without his glasses but general shape easily readable. ]
We can look away if that would make you more comfortable?
[ Surely this is about cultural differences. He has sensitivity training! ]
So these little comforts are paramount. Cobbling together familiar meals, even with ingredients that aren't quite right. Reminiscing with Akechi or comparing notes with those who have resided in other Tokyo realities. And against all reason, a bath house, not exactly the same as any he'd go to at home, but similar enough to scratch an itch.
There is, of course, the suspicion that this is yet another cognitive manipulation meant to pacify. But that's not a thought for the moment; it's one for him to scribble down in the gifted notebook as he tries to fight sleep to avoid another night of his subconscious running him ragged in that liminal counseling office.
Maruki is doing great, by the way.
So anyway! This is a nice respite. He is shutting his brain off. The doctor is, for once, Out. ]
Like the lava in the–? Actually, no, I think I'd rather find out for myself. Or avoid finding out entirely.
[ He has absolutely none of Vash's hesitation and is in that water as quickly as possible, sinking all the way down to his chin at once. He draws in a deep breath and lets out a long, low sigh.
Then he cracks an eye open to look at Vash, details blurry without his glasses but general shape easily readable. ]
We can look away if that would make you more comfortable?
[ Surely this is about cultural differences. He has sensitivity training! ]
[You know who doesn't have sensitivity training?
Students turned detectives don't get the same degree of education as his full police counterparts, with a penchant for absorbing interesting information after signing off on required SOPs.
In a tone light and airy, voice warm as the water surrounding them - ]
No need to worry. If it were lava, our blood would have started to boil or our skin would have ignited the second we appeared in this room without protection. Did you know it's actually slow burning rock? Even if we managed to make it past and tried to jump in, we would simply explode due to the high percentage of water in the human body and flash vaporize into steam. I learned that some time ago and found it interesting.
[Though he doesn't know about Vash - alien in nature, damaged in whole, judging by the amount of work he's doing to take off parts of his body.
Regardless, it's not lava! There's your fun fact.
And Akechi, helpful detective prince he is, does look away - turns his back to his undressing companion and leans against the opposing wall.]
But I visited our new lava lake, and I'm still alive. Only its color has changed - it's all quite fascinating.
Students turned detectives don't get the same degree of education as his full police counterparts, with a penchant for absorbing interesting information after signing off on required SOPs.
In a tone light and airy, voice warm as the water surrounding them - ]
No need to worry. If it were lava, our blood would have started to boil or our skin would have ignited the second we appeared in this room without protection. Did you know it's actually slow burning rock? Even if we managed to make it past and tried to jump in, we would simply explode due to the high percentage of water in the human body and flash vaporize into steam. I learned that some time ago and found it interesting.
[Though he doesn't know about Vash - alien in nature, damaged in whole, judging by the amount of work he's doing to take off parts of his body.
Regardless, it's not lava! There's your fun fact.
And Akechi, helpful detective prince he is, does look away - turns his back to his undressing companion and leans against the opposing wall.]
But I visited our new lava lake, and I'm still alive. Only its color has changed - it's all quite fascinating.
[ Vash's hand is at the hem of his shirt, mid motion to pull it up and over his head when he stops dead, bright blue eyes focused laser sharp on Akechi, his expression very purposefully crafted, neutral despite the wide eyed expression.
Well, he's not wrong. Vash exhales a laugh, airy and a little awkward as he spares Maruki an appreciative expression after a moment. Akechi is a little strange, but it's not that alarming, just... scientific? ]
It's fine. It's not me I'm worried about.
[ He pulls the shirt up over his head, knocking his sunglasses askew for a moment before those too, get put on the bench next to his arm. He's fairly unceremonious about the state of his scared up body, jagged stitched up skin and healed bullet wounds. Without the prosthetic arm, the little bits of metal and wiring that litter his frame almost seems out of place but he shrugs. ]
There are still fish in the lake, actually. So I'm not surprised. I guess a lot of what's going on is harmless... it still worries me though.
Well, he's not wrong. Vash exhales a laugh, airy and a little awkward as he spares Maruki an appreciative expression after a moment. Akechi is a little strange, but it's not that alarming, just... scientific? ]
It's fine. It's not me I'm worried about.
[ He pulls the shirt up over his head, knocking his sunglasses askew for a moment before those too, get put on the bench next to his arm. He's fairly unceremonious about the state of his scared up body, jagged stitched up skin and healed bullet wounds. Without the prosthetic arm, the little bits of metal and wiring that litter his frame almost seems out of place but he shrugs. ]
There are still fish in the lake, actually. So I'm not surprised. I guess a lot of what's going on is harmless... it still worries me though.
[ Oh.
Maruki has tact to spare and a nature predisposed to be inoffensive, so he doesn't stare. He doesn't even give Vash more than a glance. But that's a glance that will stick with him!
He hasn't gotten to know this benevolent stranger with a soft spot for Tokyo transplants. He has zero concept of what Vash's reality was like. Based on his experience with every other dreamer, and without any other context at all, he would be able to safely assume that Vash's reality was – is – a brutal, unjust, torturous place.
Assumption confirmed, in a violent fashion.
He hums at Vash's words. There is much he could say on the topic of harmless manipulations to a person's cognition, let alone a cognitive world, but he is relaxing and enjoying his time at a bath house with his two kindly housemates. Work over. Clocked out. Head empty. Only steam now. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if the fish turn out to be the most harmful thing in Somnius. Don't you think it's strange how many oddities revolve around fish?
[ And then he looks at Akechi, tone brightening into a good-humored tease. ]
I... don't suppose you have any fun facts about deadly fish-borne diseases and their effects on human physiology that you'd like to share with us?
Maruki has tact to spare and a nature predisposed to be inoffensive, so he doesn't stare. He doesn't even give Vash more than a glance. But that's a glance that will stick with him!
He hasn't gotten to know this benevolent stranger with a soft spot for Tokyo transplants. He has zero concept of what Vash's reality was like. Based on his experience with every other dreamer, and without any other context at all, he would be able to safely assume that Vash's reality was – is – a brutal, unjust, torturous place.
Assumption confirmed, in a violent fashion.
He hums at Vash's words. There is much he could say on the topic of harmless manipulations to a person's cognition, let alone a cognitive world, but he is relaxing and enjoying his time at a bath house with his two kindly housemates. Work over. Clocked out. Head empty. Only steam now. ]
I wouldn't be surprised if the fish turn out to be the most harmful thing in Somnius. Don't you think it's strange how many oddities revolve around fish?
[ And then he looks at Akechi, tone brightening into a good-humored tease. ]
I... don't suppose you have any fun facts about deadly fish-borne diseases and their effects on human physiology that you'd like to share with us?
Edited 2024-05-15 04:17 (UTC)
[There's a soft 'Hm as he slinks shoulder deep into the not so lava hot water. His love of sushi kept him away from seeking information on zoonotic diseases involving fish - no need to add unnecessary stress while he ate from a conveyor belt.]
Nothing that isn't obvious. Disease from consuming old fish come to mind - a problem we may have if the fish rain doesn't stop. I wonder how long it will take for those in town to start serving us rotting meat.
[The wall a boring sight - he starts to envision fish the steam that bubbles across it. A stupid activity for his brain to focus on, but better than sinking into a void of the off-white barrier.]
Though in saying that, you should worry about yourself in all these matters, Vash. You may not have the same problems as humans, but it's almost irrelevant in this world. Our captor can do whatever they want and exploit any part of you using the means available to them. With fish, lava or otherwise.
[Isn't that great?????? He doesn't even sound mad - the water acting like a weighted blanket around his wrath. Calm, relaxed and content, despite the words out of his mouth. He slinks a bit deeper - that sweet, sweet heat stroke vibe something he's seeking.]
That reminds me - I have a question for you. I know where Maruki-san stands on the matter, but what's your plan in this place?
Nothing that isn't obvious. Disease from consuming old fish come to mind - a problem we may have if the fish rain doesn't stop. I wonder how long it will take for those in town to start serving us rotting meat.
[The wall a boring sight - he starts to envision fish the steam that bubbles across it. A stupid activity for his brain to focus on, but better than sinking into a void of the off-white barrier.]
Though in saying that, you should worry about yourself in all these matters, Vash. You may not have the same problems as humans, but it's almost irrelevant in this world. Our captor can do whatever they want and exploit any part of you using the means available to them. With fish, lava or otherwise.
[Isn't that great?????? He doesn't even sound mad - the water acting like a weighted blanket around his wrath. Calm, relaxed and content, despite the words out of his mouth. He slinks a bit deeper - that sweet, sweet heat stroke vibe something he's seeking.]
That reminds me - I have a question for you. I know where Maruki-san stands on the matter, but what's your plan in this place?
[ he COULD choose not to answer this.
and yet. ]
Sorry, is the light bothering you?
and yet. ]
Sorry, is the light bothering you?
Nothing important.
I like how quiet it is at night.
[ There's a pause. ]
Is everything okay?
I like how quiet it is at night.
[ There's a pause. ]
Is everything okay?
[ don't you try to turn the tables on him motherfucker ]
Yes. Just a little worn out on counseling every time I dream, so I'm enjoying the quiet as well.
I was going to go sit outside and admire at Akechi-kun's enemy, the moon.
Would you like to join me?
Yes. Just a little worn out on counseling every time I dream, so I'm enjoying the quiet as well.
I was going to go sit outside and admire at Akechi-kun's enemy, the moon.
Would you like to join me?
[ That gets a chuckle out of him. The second part, anyway. ]
Sounds pretty tiring...
Sure, I'll be outside in a minute.
[ It doesn't take him too long, but he does hop out through his own open window rather than going through the door. It's fine, he's on the first floor. ]
Sounds pretty tiring...
Sure, I'll be outside in a minute.
[ It doesn't take him too long, but he does hop out through his own open window rather than going through the door. It's fine, he's on the first floor. ]
[ Maruki, a normal man who gets places normally, goes out the front door just in time to see Vash clamoring out his window and laughs way too loud for such a quiet, peaceful night. Frankly, it's incredible that his spindly legs don't get caught on the ledge and send him tumbling ass over teakettle. ]
Thank you for joining me. I thought the company might be nice for both of us.
[ Not that he doesn't love three-way bonding time with Akechi and Vash, but sometimes The Adults Need To Talk. Maruki stuffs his hands into his jacket pockets and rocks a little on the balls of his feet. ]
Where's your favorite place to stargaze around here?
[ yeah he read and internalized your sleepr profile :) ]
Thank you for joining me. I thought the company might be nice for both of us.
[ Not that he doesn't love three-way bonding time with Akechi and Vash, but sometimes The Adults Need To Talk. Maruki stuffs his hands into his jacket pockets and rocks a little on the balls of his feet. ]
Where's your favorite place to stargaze around here?
[ yeah he read and internalized your sleepr profile :) ]
[ He does make it out of the window without incident. Look, it was open and closer than the front door. He's also a little bit of a weirdo. He flashes Maruki a small grin at the laugh though. What? ]
Haha, you remembered that, huh?
There's a hill to the south that's nice. So long as you don't mind resting in the grass.
[ He doesn't mind at all. A year in and grass and trees and weather in general is still novel to him.. ]
Haha, you remembered that, huh?
There's a hill to the south that's nice. So long as you don't mind resting in the grass.
[ He doesn't mind at all. A year in and grass and trees and weather in general is still novel to him.. ]
[ Hill to the south it is! As they head off that way, Maruki does what Maruki does best: Chatter on with a bit of self-deprecation to hopefully put the other person at ease. ]
I don't mind at all. Akechi-kun and I may be incurable city dwellers, but I've always appreciated the times I've been able to take a break in nature. Laying in the grass or a field of flowers is soothing. That's about where my outdoorsy aptitude ends, though! I once went on a camping retreat with my grad school cohort and managed to contract two different types of poison ivy and twist my ankle by day two.
[ A good-natured laugh at himself, a shrug as they climb their way up the hill. ]
What about you? I barely know anything about what your reality was like.
I don't mind at all. Akechi-kun and I may be incurable city dwellers, but I've always appreciated the times I've been able to take a break in nature. Laying in the grass or a field of flowers is soothing. That's about where my outdoorsy aptitude ends, though! I once went on a camping retreat with my grad school cohort and managed to contract two different types of poison ivy and twist my ankle by day two.
[ A good-natured laugh at himself, a shrug as they climb their way up the hill. ]
What about you? I barely know anything about what your reality was like.
[ Hot on the heels of this disaster, during breakfast hours, Vash will receive an unsolicited text from Maruki. ]
Akechi-kun wants to be sure you know that you're allowed to engage in intimate relations within your room of the castle.
Have a great day!
Akechi-kun wants to be sure you know that you're allowed to engage in intimate relations within your room of the castle.
Have a great day!
[ read 7:45 am
And layer, after avoiding both of them: ]
no thank you!
And layer, after avoiding both of them: ]
no thank you!
[ Nooooo Thank You. ]
Are you breaking up with me?
Are you breaking up with me?
well, how else am I supposed to take a cryptic text like that?
[ He is dodging. ]
[ He is dodging. ]
[ It takes Vash a day, maybe a little more, before he answers this. ]
Sorry.
I'm not sure I want to know.
[ He's not stupid, he could tell there were things on the other's minds before they left ]
I have some idea, though.
I caught on from the others a little.
Sorry.
I'm not sure I want to know.
[ He's not stupid, he could tell there were things on the other's minds before they left ]
I have some idea, though.
I caught on from the others a little.
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