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[It's early - every space open and available. Akechi picks the furthest corner away from the door. There's no run down of the rules or background given. He doesn't expect a real game to occur today.
Eren is a quick study, but practice is still necessary. They can afford to spend time on this.
And like a good instructor, he shows. Takes a proper stance, aims the white ball at the triangle shaped batch in the middle and watches as they go every direction with a precise, perfect hit. ]
I'll explain the rules shortly. For now, practice. Copy my stance and use the white ball to hit the others.
Eren is a quick study, but practice is still necessary. They can afford to spend time on this.
And like a good instructor, he shows. Takes a proper stance, aims the white ball at the triangle shaped batch in the middle and watches as they go every direction with a precise, perfect hit. ]
I'll explain the rules shortly. For now, practice. Copy my stance and use the white ball to hit the others.
[ They haven't let go, but that doesn't mean they're holding on in the right way. ]
It was never hard, when you were younger or when you returned this time. I don't mean to disparage anyone, but I want you to understand... you're not a difficult person to see, Eren.
[ Maruki squeezes Eren's hand back, uses it to tug him closer. ]
That's all I'll say.
It was never hard, when you were younger or when you returned this time. I don't mean to disparage anyone, but I want you to understand... you're not a difficult person to see, Eren.
[ Maruki squeezes Eren's hand back, uses it to tug him closer. ]
That's all I'll say.
[He shifts closer when he's pulled closer. When he speaks, his voice is quiet enough to suit what very little space lies between them - and it's miserable.]
I'm supposed to be. That's the point. [His voice cracks on that word - "point".
[His world is a red ocean, so what's the "point" anymore, anyway?]
I don't know...
I'm supposed to be. That's the point. [His voice cracks on that word - "point".
[His world is a red ocean, so what's the "point" anymore, anyway?]
I don't know...
[ Well, what is there to say to that? Maruki can resent them all he wants for not seeing Eren properly, but he's also aware Eren has done all he can to ensure that's the case. It cuts both ways, and in the end, Eren suffers for it. He just wants to be known, like anyone else does. ]
Would it help if I pointed out all the other times I see that younger you shining through, or do you want me to stop?
Would it help if I pointed out all the other times I see that younger you shining through, or do you want me to stop?
Not if it makes you happy.
[His voice sounds so odd, still strained like he's going to cry, but warming as his focus shifts to Maruki.
[He tucks hair away from the rim of the man's glasses.]
You're different. I've always been "Eren" to you. That's all.
You're Maruki. It fits...
[His voice sounds so odd, still strained like he's going to cry, but warming as his focus shifts to Maruki.
[He tucks hair away from the rim of the man's glasses.]
You're different. I've always been "Eren" to you. That's all.
You're Maruki. It fits...
[ Normally, Maruki might press him to keep talking about it, but– he hears that warmth edging into Eren's voice, and he wants to take hold of it. It's supposed to be a nice night. They've had a rough few weeks...
He tilts his head into Eren's touch, hums thoughtfully. ]
I suppose we're both biased. Or unbiased, as the case may be! It fits, though, you're right.
[ They're close, and Maruki only wants to be closer. He tucks himself against Eren, thunks their foreheads together. ]
I know you don't want to celebrate your birthday, but will you keep the day clear for me?
He tilts his head into Eren's touch, hums thoughtfully. ]
I suppose we're both biased. Or unbiased, as the case may be! It fits, though, you're right.
[ They're close, and Maruki only wants to be closer. He tucks himself against Eren, thunks their foreheads together. ]
I know you don't want to celebrate your birthday, but will you keep the day clear for me?
[. . .
[He fears he's about to look incredibly stupid...]
On the moon?
[It's text. They'll probably think he's sarcastic before he's stupid, right?]
[He fears he's about to look incredibly stupid...]
On the moon?
[It's text. They'll probably think he's sarcastic before he's stupid, right?]
[He heard it??? And is kicking the wall. Shut UP.]
You're not wrong to think that, given the name.
However it's not on the moon. I'm not entirely clear where I was. I could see space, the moon itself, and the planet below me.
It was an odd ordeal, to say the least.
You're not wrong to think that, given the name.
However it's not on the moon. I'm not entirely clear where I was. I could see space, the moon itself, and the planet below me.
It was an odd ordeal, to say the least.
[Eren liked that. Eren waits for a moment for Akechi to put the balls back into formation, but he doesn't. He has to hit them individually? He wants to see them all break apart like they did a second ago...
[Whatever. He tries to mirror Akechi's demonstration, lining the stick up with the white ball. One thing about Eren: he tends to be pretty bad at things before he's (suddenly very) good at them. To that end, he completely misses his first shot. How embarrassing...]
Forget that.
[He tries again - takes a little more time to line up the shot...
[And he does manage to hit one! It doesn't go into any pockets though - just bounces off the sides and rolls around.]
Alright...
What now?
[Whatever. He tries to mirror Akechi's demonstration, lining the stick up with the white ball. One thing about Eren: he tends to be pretty bad at things before he's (suddenly very) good at them. To that end, he completely misses his first shot. How embarrassing...]
Forget that.
[He tries again - takes a little more time to line up the shot...
[And he does manage to hit one! It doesn't go into any pockets though - just bounces off the sides and rolls around.]
Alright...
What now?
Aim the white ball at the striped ones for the remainder of this practice round. Try to get them in pockets by any means necessary.
[And again-
Akechi hits a solid color with perfect aim - it ends up in another pocket. Easy enough with no real setup.]
You need to ensure mine don't go in by mistake. This game requires constant planning - you shouldn't be aiming without thought. Everything should be done to set up your next move and so forth.
[Before Eren can even attempt to hit anything, Akechi lets his own cue rest against the edge of the table and holds up a hand as if trying to stop him.]
Allow me to fix your posture. You don't mind, do you?
[And again-
Akechi hits a solid color with perfect aim - it ends up in another pocket. Easy enough with no real setup.]
You need to ensure mine don't go in by mistake. This game requires constant planning - you shouldn't be aiming without thought. Everything should be done to set up your next move and so forth.
[Before Eren can even attempt to hit anything, Akechi lets his own cue rest against the edge of the table and holds up a hand as if trying to stop him.]
Allow me to fix your posture. You don't mind, do you?
[. . .
[Yeah, there's no way.
[Except Akechi wouldn't joke about something like being imprisoned...
[Eren's honestly speechless.]
Great. We see where speaking out gets us, then.
[But it's kind of funny?]
[Yeah, there's no way.
[Except Akechi wouldn't joke about something like being imprisoned...
[Eren's honestly speechless.]
Great. We see where speaking out gets us, then.
[But it's kind of funny?]
[Eren feels his heart skip, his face heat, and it's not because of Maruki's closeness. He hadn't allowed himself to want anything for his birthday, but if there was one thing, it was to do something with Maruki - or, in all honesty, the idea Maruki might do something for him. It feels pitiful to admit...
[He can't nod with their foreheads pressed together like this. He kisses the tip of Maruki's nose.]
Yeah. That's what I want.
[He can't nod with their foreheads pressed together like this. He kisses the tip of Maruki's nose.]
Yeah. That's what I want.
I would hardly call what I do 'speaking out' - however, yes. Jail exists for those that don't comply.
As for the questions -
My memory was distorted to recall one particular event and nothing else.
My capability to breathe was likely due to this being a cognitive manipulation, not space. However, that's an unconfirmed theory at this moment.
As for the questions -
My memory was distorted to recall one particular event and nothing else.
My capability to breathe was likely due to this being a cognitive manipulation, not space. However, that's an unconfirmed theory at this moment.
You're denying it like it's a bad thing. Have some pride.
What "particular event" then?
What "particular event" then?
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