Our relationship is pretty complicated. I think normal siblings have it a lot easier, don't you? Normally family doesn't try to put other family on the throne of demonic royalty, after all.
I don't know. Even those I knew back in my reality who had "normal" families still had complex dynamics with their siblings, even without demonic royalty interference.
Well, then I'm glad you two are able to come together over it here, even if it's difficult. Although I do have to wonder what effect that would have on your realities, if any...
I can't imagine it would have much effect on either of our realities, truthfully. The decision I made in mine isn't something that can be walked back, and since I've already killed God, there's nothing really left tying him down anymore when I get back.
Whereas for him, the only thing that he could do is wish I'd made the choice I'd made in my reality. But if I had followed Remiel and became God's Messiah, I can only guess at how hut he must be by that. I can only guess at what sort of reasoning would have made me make that sort of choice, or what might have happened differently, but truthfully even knowing about it doesn't change my own outcome.
I am the King of Bel, and God is dead, and mankind is finally free from his tyranny. All I can do is hope that by doing that, the curse on him is finally lifted. I'll only know if that's the case when I go home.
He could wish that, but I don't think he would. In fact, I'm certain of it. He's a lot of things, sure, but when it comes to me, he's always given me a choice.
Even if he doesn't like the answer I gave in his reality, he wouldn't take that away from me.
He could have lead me along his path all through out the lockdown, but the truth is he didn't, and even on the final day, he let me make my choice and didn't push.
I'm sure you saw on SLEEPR, it pointed it out for everyone to see that he's Cain, or rather, the reincarnation of him.
I think that if I had sided with God, he'd be upset, and I know he is, but if I had to guess, his wish would be the power to kill God on his own. I don't think he ever wanted to drag me into it. I was just the last resort of a desperate man.
[ A choice given, no matter what. Even when it isn't the answer he wants, he still allows it to be Kazuya's answer.
Memories of memories, like looking through fogged glass submerged in water. Hazy and imprecise. But that strikes something in Maruki. He understands. He always wanted to give Akira the choice to agree with him. That, more than anything. ]
It's certainly a complicated situation. Still, I'm glad you two are able to reunite here. That's not always a given.
[ Kazuya has to think about it, just how level-headed he actually is. He does try, for the most part, to pick things apart and make the best decisions he can in the moment, but lately it's...
He makes more rash decisions. It doesn't bother him, like he thinks it probably should. ]
Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me.
I don't think that's necessarily the case lately, though.
[ In fact, he wonders. Maruki and Akechi are close, right? They're from the same Tokyo, if he's not mistaken. ]
Are you free right now? There's something I want to discuss with you, but preferably not over text.
That sounds nice, although I stand by what I originally said - you don't owe me.
I'll meet you there in twenty minutes anyway.
[ It takes about that long for Maruki to get there from the machiya anyway. He can only bike so fast... Things he didn't consider when moving so far out of town.........
But he will eventually roll up to Kazuya waiting outside the cafe, hop off to lock his bicycle up against a nearby tree. ]
I have to admit, you've got me curious about what could be so important!
[ At least he's getting exercise? It's good for the body, good for the mind! Or something like that. Either way, Kazuya waves at him when he arrives, and politely waits for him to secure his bike. ]
Who said it had to be important? Maybe I just don't want to write a small novel on the phone.
[ He's kidding. Mostly.
He'll also politely hold the door open for Maruki, because he's a good teenager, and unlike Maruki, didn't have to pedal across the country to get to a coffee shop. A little respect is in order! Just a little. ]
Coffee first, then we can chat.
[ AND HE'S GETTING A SWEETENED ICED COFFEE WITH SWEET CREAM.... you can't make him re-experience the hell that was a black iced coffee. ]
[ HE COULD HAVE PUT CREAM IN HIS COFFEE THEN!!! MARUKI GOT HIM A BASIC DRINK TO DOCTOR AS HE WISHED!!!!! HE WOULDN'T HAVE JUDGED!!!!!!!!
Silly demon boy. Maruki's still getting his beloved iced Americano. Rocket fuel... ]
You ought to try the coffee concoctions over at Kuchel's. The proprietors aren't overly fond of me, but they make very good drinks. [ Very sweet fancy coffees. Greedy shit, as Eren would say. Seems like Kazuya's thing. ]
[ He thinks it would have been rude to change what Maruki ordered for him.... But he does perk up anyway at the knowledge of sweeter, fancier coffees.
On the other hand...]
I think I'd prefer to spend my time and money in a place where my friends are liked.
[ Even if it means getting gelfling coffee. He is, in fact, a sentimental little dweeb. So yes, while he'd love decadently sweet shit, he's not going to give business to the places that don't care for his friends!
Kazuya is also going to sneakily (not very) pay for Maruki's coffee. ]
Unlike Akechi "we're acquaintances" Goro, Maruki sees no reason to lie about their bond. No need to go into the full depth of it, either, but he can give an answer that's nothing less than the truth. ]
I would say so, yes. We didn't know one another back in our true reality, but we've become close here. He's important to me.
[ A little sidelong glance as he sips that bitter bean juice. ]
Well... I was hoping to get him an apology gift. [He rubs the back of his head with his free hand, looking a little unsure.] I was hoping if you knew him well, then maybe you could tell me the kinds of things he'd like?
[He really does feel bad about what he did, now that there's time and distance away from the encounter. ]
I mean, I could have just messaged him with an "I'm sorry", but that feels a little... Lacking? After what I did to him.
[He really has no clue if Maruki knows about it, so he kind of skirts it a little as he speaks. He'll admit it if asked, but he doesn't know the extent of Akechi and Maruki's friendship, so who knows if Akechi had even told him to begin with?]
[ Surprise! Maruki knows All. He laughs a little, scratches at the stubble along his jaw. ]
I picked him up and hauled him home after that. He was docile for a long time. It was a little scary, actually... [ Calmkechi........ shudder. ] What exactly did you do to him?
[ He'll answer the question about the apology gift in a minute. That's sweet of Kazuya, but Maruki's been curious about what ailment Akechi was suffering ever since he sat mute at the kotatsu for hours. ]
[ Back to his awful, shitty attitude. God bless. ]
Can I ask what sort of curses they were? I'm genuinely just curious for my own knowledge, I'm not upset with what you did at all. Frankly, it's good for him to get trounced every now and then.
[What a relief! And Kazuya even looks it when Maruki says that Akechi is back to normal. He was kind of worried, even if they'd met up at the carnival. ]
Ah... One was to take his voice and ability to cast magic away, and the other was to seal any other skills he had. The last one was to stop any sort of natural healing he had, and prevent any sort of magical healing. Which in hindsight is pretty petty... I'm glad he's fine, though.
[Siiiip.]
I really should have kept my cool better than that.
[ To be fair, Akechi texted him that it wouldn't be possible even before Maruki tried, but he doesn't exactly believe that he exists within the rules, so he tried anyway. Unfortunate that this time he was wrong. ]
Did he get under your skin? I can't imagine you losing it.
[ BIG SIP. YOU'RE SO LEVEL-HEADED, KAZUYA. WHAT GIVES. ]
It wasn't him, exactly... There's a demon back home I know named Loki. I thought I could sense him, and I wanted to give him some payback for what he did to not only me, but a friend of mine I knew.
[But it wasn't Loki, at least, not Loki as he knew.]
Beldr also wasn't really happy to see him either, and I think it kind of overcame me a little, so I wasn't really acting all that rationally at that point, especially since it seemed like Loki was hiding behind Akechi and trying to use him as a shield.
[Also not the case.]
By the time I figured it out, it was kind of too late.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
Do you resent him for that?
no subject
I was glad I was able to help him in the way I did, though obviously things turned out different for this Naoya instead of the one I know.
no subject
no subject
Whereas for him, the only thing that he could do is wish I'd made the choice I'd made in my reality. But if I had followed Remiel and became God's Messiah, I can only guess at how hut he must be by that. I can only guess at what sort of reasoning would have made me make that sort of choice, or what might have happened differently, but truthfully even knowing about it doesn't change my own outcome.
I am the King of Bel, and God is dead, and mankind is finally free from his tyranny. All I can do is hope that by doing that, the curse on him is finally lifted. I'll only know if that's the case when I go home.
no subject
That being said, you mentioned he could wish you had made a different choice.
I wonder if a wish like that might have power here. All the others do, after all.
no subject
Even if he doesn't like the answer I gave in his reality, he wouldn't take that away from me.
He could have lead me along his path all through out the lockdown, but the truth is he didn't, and even on the final day, he let me make my choice and didn't push.
I'm sure you saw on SLEEPR, it pointed it out for everyone to see that he's Cain, or rather, the reincarnation of him.
I think that if I had sided with God, he'd be upset, and I know he is, but if I had to guess, his wish would be the power to kill God on his own. I don't think he ever wanted to drag me into it. I was just the last resort of a desperate man.
no subject
Memories of memories, like looking through fogged glass submerged in water. Hazy and imprecise. But that strikes something in Maruki. He understands. He always wanted to give Akira the choice to agree with him. That, more than anything. ]
It's certainly a complicated situation. Still, I'm glad you two are able to reunite here. That's not always a given.
You're a very level-headed young man, Kazuya.
no subject
He makes more rash decisions. It doesn't bother him, like he thinks it probably should. ]
Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me.
I don't think that's necessarily the case lately, though.
[ In fact, he wonders. Maruki and Akechi are close, right? They're from the same Tokyo, if he's not mistaken. ]
Are you free right now? There's something I want to discuss with you, but preferably not over text.
no subject
Sure. Where would you like to meet?
no subject
[ It's not Tokyo, but wandering around through the town might be nice. ]
no subject
I'll meet you there in twenty minutes anyway.
[ It takes about that long for Maruki to get there from the machiya anyway. He can only bike so fast... Things he didn't consider when moving so far out of town.........
But he will eventually roll up to Kazuya waiting outside the cafe, hop off to lock his bicycle up against a nearby tree. ]
I have to admit, you've got me curious about what could be so important!
no subject
Who said it had to be important? Maybe I just don't want to write a small novel on the phone.
[ He's kidding. Mostly.
He'll also politely hold the door open for Maruki, because he's a good teenager, and unlike Maruki, didn't have to pedal across the country to get to a coffee shop. A little respect is in order! Just a little. ]
Coffee first, then we can chat.
[ AND HE'S GETTING A SWEETENED ICED COFFEE WITH SWEET CREAM.... you can't make him re-experience the hell that was a black iced coffee. ]
no subject
Silly demon boy. Maruki's still getting his beloved iced Americano. Rocket fuel... ]
You ought to try the coffee concoctions over at Kuchel's. The proprietors aren't overly fond of me, but they make very good drinks. [ Very sweet fancy coffees. Greedy shit, as Eren would say. Seems like Kazuya's thing. ]
no subject
On the other hand...]
I think I'd prefer to spend my time and money in a place where my friends are liked.
[ Even if it means getting gelfling coffee. He is, in fact, a sentimental little dweeb. So yes, while he'd love decadently sweet shit, he's not going to give business to the places that don't care for his friends!
Kazuya is also going to sneakily (not very) pay for Maruki's coffee. ]
Told you I'd repay you.
no subject
A light whap to the back of Kazuya's head – casually affectionate more than anything. ]
That was devious. Thank you, though.
[ Come on, demon king. They're going on a walk about this bullshit rural town. ]
We can wait until we're farther out from the townsfolk, if it's something you'd rather keep more private...
no subject
Anyway. Lets Kick It, Maruki!]
Well, I've got two things on my mind, mostly. One I don't mind if the townsfolk overhear so much, so lets talk about it on the way.
[He'll say, talking a sweet sip of his sweet, sweet coffee.]
The first is... You're friends with Akechi, right? Close friends?
[He doesn't want to assume their closeness! But he's trying to make a guess, judging by the fact they're from the same world, as far as he's aware.]
no subject
Unlike Akechi "we're acquaintances" Goro, Maruki sees no reason to lie about their bond. No need to go into the full depth of it, either, but he can give an answer that's nothing less than the truth. ]
I would say so, yes. We didn't know one another back in our true reality, but we've become close here. He's important to me.
[ A little sidelong glance as he sips that bitter bean juice. ]
Why do you ask?
no subject
[He really does feel bad about what he did, now that there's time and distance away from the encounter. ]
I mean, I could have just messaged him with an "I'm sorry", but that feels a little... Lacking? After what I did to him.
[He really has no clue if Maruki knows about it, so he kind of skirts it a little as he speaks. He'll admit it if asked, but he doesn't know the extent of Akechi and Maruki's friendship, so who knows if Akechi had even told him to begin with?]
no subject
[ Surprise! Maruki knows All. He laughs a little, scratches at the stubble along his jaw. ]
I picked him up and hauled him home after that. He was docile for a long time. It was a little scary, actually... [ Calmkechi........ shudder. ] What exactly did you do to him?
[ He'll answer the question about the apology gift in a minute. That's sweet of Kazuya, but Maruki's been curious about what ailment Akechi was suffering ever since he sat mute at the kotatsu for hours. ]
no subject
[That confirms how close they are, then! At least in his own mind.]
Docile, huh? That's pretty strange... I put a few curses on him, but I don't think I did anything that'd make him docile.
[Local Demon Overlord Doesn't Know All Teen Has To Go On Is Anger, After Consuming It.]
They all wore off though, right? Nothing is still lingering?
[The real question! If Akechi is still feeling an ailment, then maybe he'd cast them a little too strongly for him.]
no subject
[ Back to his awful, shitty attitude. God bless. ]
Can I ask what sort of curses they were? I'm genuinely just curious for my own knowledge, I'm not upset with what you did at all. Frankly, it's good for him to get trounced every now and then.
no subject
Ah... One was to take his voice and ability to cast magic away, and the other was to seal any other skills he had. The last one was to stop any sort of natural healing he had, and prevent any sort of magical healing. Which in hindsight is pretty petty... I'm glad he's fine, though.
[Siiiip.]
I really should have kept my cool better than that.
no subject
[ To be fair, Akechi texted him that it wouldn't be possible even before Maruki tried, but he doesn't exactly believe that he exists within the rules, so he tried anyway. Unfortunate that this time he was wrong. ]
Did he get under your skin? I can't imagine you losing it.
[ BIG SIP. YOU'RE SO LEVEL-HEADED, KAZUYA. WHAT GIVES. ]
no subject
[But it wasn't Loki, at least, not Loki as he knew.]
Beldr also wasn't really happy to see him either, and I think it kind of overcame me a little, so I wasn't really acting all that rationally at that point, especially since it seemed like Loki was hiding behind Akechi and trying to use him as a shield.
[Also not the case.]
By the time I figured it out, it was kind of too late.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
asdlkhsldkj AKECHI'S OLDER THAN KAZUYA i'm crying
listen, hes only older on a technicality... if kazuya was from 2016 he'd be 24/25
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
hehe we can wrap here or on yr reply unless you have more !! PREPS FOR EVENT