The Smooth Music of Jazz Jin [CLOSED]

[the_flower_karasu]

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...

Comments

[the_flower_karasu]

"I'm not unreasonable, I'll cop to the fact that it's a normal question asked as a therapist. Hell, even as a human being with a healthy level of empathy or social grace."

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..."

[takutomaruki]

Ah.

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."

[the_flower_karasu]

"Yes... All good qualities make this a fine establishment, even in such a cognitive form as this."

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..."

[takutomaruki]

Maruki gave the tiniest nod, eyes trailing the rim of his glass as though it were suddenly the most fascinating thing in the world. He looked like he wanted to curl in on himself—wary, but still trying to smile through it, if only so he wouldn't seem like he was about to bolt. There was no offense taken in her words. In fact, they landed exactly where he'd expected.

"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.