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personavelvetroomdr2025-03-21 07:24 pm
the_flower_karasu) wrote in personavelvetroomdr2025-03-21 07:24 pm
Entry tags:
The Smooth Music of Jazz Jin [CLOSED]
People come and they go
Some people may stay with you though
I am all alone tonight
And I kept on asking myself questions
It was really something that this version of Jazz Jin, despite being a wholly cognitive space, still had the effect of deeply relaxing her. She let the music wash over heart, and the clink of ice in the drink the cognitive!Muhen prepared for her was barely heard as she took a reasonable gulp, sighing in contentment at the taste as she placed it back down.
Like in her own world, when she was still alive, Jazz Jin had become her home-away-from-home. The cognitive!Muhen didn't seem to care when she'd commandeered his guest bedroom for her own personal use. It certainly beat going back to her apartment. Sure, she could theoretically find a cognitive version of her own apartment, but even in her own plane, she considered it more like a place of rest than a true home...
So, cognitive!Jazz Jin it was...
Conceited I was at time
I never really doubted myself
But tonight got me thinking 'bout it all
If I am the fool or what not
This...wasn't so bad...
This...wasn't so bad...
no subject
So down while he was still looking around for interesting snacks to carry in a small bag, humming to himself with his find- running into a small humble jazz-club which boasted a cozy environment, drinks and live music- Maruki found himself making his way to the counter and enjoying a nice glass of light champagne held in a flute glass, shoulders hunched as he checked his pocket for a box of cigarette. His hands were still jittery, desperate for a smoke and well- this is the cognitive world, is it not?
No one's going to notice or complain about him smoking.
Still.
No, He needs this. With that he relents and quickly pulls out his box, fingers grasping a cigarette rolled in a bunch as he brings one to his mouth and prepares his lighter.
Clink clink!
His eyelids grew heavy as he cupped one hand on the growing flame, the familiar scent and feeling permeating through him and his lungs.
There was silence as little puffs of smoke left his mouth.
He finally spoke, his voice objectively humming in a normal volume as he looks at the owner. "Haha, sorry I just- I can't believe I missed this place-! And I frequent Kichijoji quite regularly."
The cognitive Muhen tilted his head. "Wouldn't blame you that you missed it. It's pretty secluded and people who usually come here mind their business so~" he shrugs- tending to a glass as Maruki sets his own.
"Trust me, I really do appreciate that as well," he chuckles as he leaned forward on his elbows. "With the live music you can create a lovely sense of belonging and community- and it also stops you from drinking stupid till the next day and wake up with a migraine. If you have enough restraint anyway."
That made the man laugh, tilting his head as he regarded him. "You almost sound like you're being actively hunted, good sir."
"Ha!" Maruki merely raises the cigarette in his hand, pretending that the man didn't just directly hit the mark. "Who knows...maybe it is something like that."
no subject
' Perhaps I'll try the Tropical Breeze next...'
Deciding to go to the cognitive!Muhen instead, she left her blazer on the chair to mark where she'd been sitting. She hadn't particularly been able to see the bar proper as she approached, shifting through the small crowd of cognitive beings, but once she had, she saw the barkeep himself, tending to a glass and talking to...
Talking to--
"What the hell are you doing here!?"
Even a cognitive facsimile of the one place she thought she had sanctuary wasn't safe from the scientist who believed he alone could override a person's agency. Here he was, drinking champagne, like he had no care in the world, and--
'Is he...SMOKING!?'
And despite herself, she was suddenly reminded of the image of her mama, taking a drag of a cigarette after a long, hard day, of being hugged by her and surrounded by that smell that would have put off others. But that warm nostalgia was suddenly being invaded, and she had the irrational thought that he was doing it on purpose to make her let down her guard. She wouldn't put it past him, the asshole...
tw: smoking thread from here
Grounding. Simple. If he just lets himself drift...enjoy some decent drink then maybe he could-
"...!"
The sudden voice makes him flinch, lips nearly dropping his smoking at a sound he wasn't...quite familiar with hearing. He whipped his head to turn at the source of the voice though considering the rather disconcerting tone used, maybe he didn't need to look too far.
Ah.
Another...Akechi? He blinks at her, genuinely surprised until- right. Of course. Multiple universes. Her and the Ren he had met earlier who offered him the tape, isn't that just great?
He looks away and goes back to tending to his cigarette. "This place has phenomenal music and an overall great service, why shouldn't I be here?"
"Uh- unless," the cigarette rolls in his mouth. "Unless the smoking is me being rude here. I can put it off if you want."
Re: tw: smoking thread from here
"It's not about the goddamn smoking. It's that you're here while I'm here. Do I need to point out that your reputation precedes you, especially to someone like me?"
This was, after all, the very same man who used her like a hostage, and thought to meddle he was not wanted, because he decided he knew better than anyone else.
"I'm sure you can imagine the problem I'm having now. So why don't you come clean about why you're here, now..."
The scent of smoke still stoked those feelings of nostalgia, and she could feel herself softening toward the doctor, which was something she didn't want to happen when questioning him.
"Actually, don't smoke when I'm talking to you!"
no subject
His shoulders remained hitched, regarding her with unease settling in his nerves as he looks away and tries to put up a brave front. The question. He keeps his expression neutral but its so so difficult to just frown and get angry. She was being reasonable however, in comparison to others so he has atleast that going from him-
"...!"
He jumps at the sudden proclamation and turns his wide eyed gaze at her. What the hell? Thought smoking wasn't the problem. "Okay, okay- I will put it out," he keeps the cigarette away as he hails Muhen to pass him an ashtray. While he does that, he finally- finally looks up at the Akechi and offers her a smile that seems too forced. Too tired. "Contrary to popular opinion, no, I can't imagine your problem. Preassuming your circumstances is plausible- given the colourful descriptions I have recieved about myself but I am not here to do any of that." He holds the cigarette out and taps his foot against the bar stool.
"Do you frequent this place, Akechi-san?"
no subject
Once he stubbed his cigarette, she could feel a little bit of her relax. The smell lingered a little, but the smoke was dissolving, and it would all fade with time. She folded her arms, leaning a little to the right of her hip, fingers deceptively loose and relaxed where they lay. She was not going to give this man an inch.
"Then again, you're unlikely to scrape my cognition for my deepest wants, just by knowing I'm here, so I'll acquiesce a little; Yes, I come here often. In fact, Muhen is letting me stay here..."
Her expression hardened even more, and she unfolded her arms, placing a hand on her hip.
"So, I ask again; What are you doing here? And please, do be honest..."
no subject
He doesn't let her statement really get to him- his gaze softening. Poor Akechi-san...jhst like any other universe she still can't open her heart to different possibilities, can she?
Maruki did mourn the cigarette a bit- pressing his fingers against his forehead before going for his glass of champagne. Might as well.
He shakes his head and raises a hand in surrender. "I am being honest. This is a jazz club after all- an adult establishment nonetheless. I was actually looking into donating some of my old clothes in one of these shops here and I just wanted to relax." There’s a smile on his face, acknowledging that since the other is giving him a moment- he will do the same.
"I am sorry if my presence is making you uncomfortable...but I have already ordered a drink here so..."
no subject
Her eyes were cold, expression stoic, but the tenseness shown by the slight tremble of her gloved fingers told a different story. The way Maruki's expression changed seemed like pity, making her ill.
"But I do not doubt, for one second, that you didn't take note of it, and I will always bring up that the Maruki I knew used my life as leverage. What sort of truly compassionate person uses blackmail to bring over a non-adherent!? I don't care that the man I knew didn't call it blackmail, that was what it was!"
The creak of her gloves' leather was the first time she noticed that the hand not placed on her hip was clenching tightly.
"Your presence will always be more than uncomfortable to me, and it will be for very good reason, even when proved otherwise. You were a scientist once, I'm sure you understand..."
no subject
His brow furrowed. He's heard that from one of his conversations with one of the Akechis who had "defeated" him. Whatever that meant. He tries to remain patient, trying to follow the singer's voice as he brought his flute glass up and fiddled with it. "I was informed about the misgivings of my other selves."
"Again...even if I am not that man from what I have heard it really makes him sound like he was holding your life as hostage. I would apologize but I don't want to betray my intentions as pity." Yes. Keep it slow. Be patient. She isn't attacking him- they can just have a civil conversation, right? Is she carrying a gun on her?
Maruki makes quick note of the creaking- still relaxed in his seat.
"I understand. Even if I am a researcher or just an unemployed graduate who worked part time as a counsellor- I understand your grievance with me though I can't deny that the constant scrutiny can be a little stressful to cope with."
"Which is why- I assumed since this was an adult establishment so I wouldn't have such a colourful run-in with the young residents here. It is a jazz club after all but haha-! I forgot rules like those don't quite apply here!" A nervous chuckle follows as he lifts his glass of champagne as proof of what he's talking about. "It's such a fine establishment...tranquil and peaceful."
no subject
That was all the concession she was willing to give him verbally because, really, she agreed. Not only did the patrons of such a place tend to be older, but they even provided drinks for those too young or not willing to imbibe alcohol. The music was always good and the atmosphere was second-to-none, especially for someone like her. The only person she ever trusted with such a place was her Joker, and even then, it was a half-ruse.
Maruki was not on that list, even if logically, it wasn't up to her whether Maruki found this place on his own somehow. And even if 'this' Maruki was at a point where he had not gained the power cosmic, he still had the potential to.
He wondered if this is what the Thieves felt like with her, before she betrayed them...
"You do acknowledge that I'll always be on my back foot with you, right? It's only natural, after all..."
no subject
"Of course you’d be on edge," he said softly, the amusement he'd tried to muster earlier almost completely stripped from his voice. "Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn’t even be giving me this much."
He glanced at her again, then down at his drink, rolling the base of the flute in slow, idle circles. "You've been more gracious than I had any right to expect. You didn't walk away. You didn’t even raise your voice. That’s... remarkable, really."
He hesitated, then laughed, but it was a hollow, self-deprecating sound. "Truth is, I didn’t want anyone seeing me like this. I mean, wandering into jazz clubs like I belong, pretending to be some kind of cultured regular? Not quite my speed." His hand scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck, and it was so clear in the gesture: he wasn't trying to make light of her distrust. He just didn’t know how else to stand there without collapsing into himself.