[Closed] CW: discussion of potential violence

[dollmaxing]

[Location: Leaving Shibuya Central Street]

Once Zenkichi Hasegawa finally left, got his fill of terrorizing her, Ichinose ran into the back alleys of the cognitive city until she had to slow down. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins, and she picked up the damn bomb of a tracked phone out of her pocket.

It doesn't matter if he finds out - she needs help.

Flutter is all that works. Ichinose opened it up, going to the conversation she had with those in her posts, and directly messaged the man that was a strange if a bit shifty cognitive psientist. After her encounter just now, she understood exactly why he was being shifty.

She sent a message. Hello! Can we meet up in person? Please call and respond ASAP. :)



[Location: Maruki's Laboratory]

Maruki is a lovely host, if nothing else. This place is huge... but for now Ichinose was fine finding a seat and just melting into the cushions, an arm draped over her eyes as she tried to quiet the unease still buzzing in her brain.

At least the snacks were nice. And a lab setting was pleasantly familiar.

"What've you gotten into, Kuon..."

Comments

[takutomaruki]

You have control here, you said, so I'm not afraid.

Maruki's brows furrowed as he heard those words, chest fleeting in calm as he heaved in a deep breath. The smile surfaces on his lips all too easily, her trust in him easing away any doubt or insecurity threatening to crack him otherwise. To hear someone just...state those words so easily, even if it was in the context of trusting him in his own lab.

Sometimes he couldn't find himself trusting Azathoth either and Azathoth was supposed to be a mirror of his own mind.

He took it as his cue to listen in anyway, getting little hints of her interest or how she used to watch anime. Her fascination with the staff here- "I believe it comes from the fact that despite not being actual people, their souls are connected. Just as all of ours is to the collective subconscious. How we view other marvellous people as gods and describe them as such throughout history...for all we know they could have a heart of their own."

The humming, the looking in between. So excited. Hm, he could still make good use of her skills too, she seemed to hold a myriad of them.

When Ichinose turns her attention to him his expression melts- carefully regarding her.

"You already are a fellow researcher in this field- I don't see why I should bar you from the opportunity of wanting to help the others here or back in your world," he answers honestly. "But that aside, for now- you are a guest. A lot has happened in these past few hours so its best if you relax a little."

"Your enthusiasm is very much appreciated but please don't feel the need to compensate for my assistance. You can use one of the couches there for now while I set up a room for you."

"Oh also-! Snacks! What kind do you really prefer- sweet or savoury?"

[dollmaxing]

Right, actually getting a room set up! That's perfect. Ichinose hums at Maruki's fretting - it has unfortunately been a stressful few hours, yes, and while she finally feels a lot more safe... well, there was a bit of time needed for Maruki to adjust, wasn't there?

"Snacks! Well, my appetite is back just in time. I think savory since I'm still hankering for the katsu I missed out on," Ichinose agreed, deciding to file away her plan to chat with the shadows and see how they work for a later date.

[takutomaruki]

That too yes.. Maruki needs to get used to having someone like Ichinose around.

It will be Maruki’s first time working with someone that followed his own ambitions rather than him scurrying and scampering off on a whole theoretical tangent about his research on a wavelength rarely anyone matched.

"Alright then, I will get you something as soon as I can," he nods affirmatively. "There should be some in the break rooms...maybe even the cafeteria? Hm," his brow quirked as he hummed deep in thought.

A beat. "..!"

"Oh- sorry, I will get going."

"Do make yourself comfortable in the meantime," he takes a step back. "There are others you might expect here but if you need anything in particular, message or call me back." And with a quick wave he's already off- skippering along in a quick pace as he suddenly puts one hand in the pocket of his labcoat. The hoodie easily switched away and manifested back to his previous grey shirt and white labcoat draped over his shoulders- now trailing away in its path.