My thoughts expand to many areas - it's difficult for me to turn my mind off, so it often wanders. Back in my reality, I was known for spacing out at times because of that.
[Difficult to happen here when there's 90 people who all know his name in a town the size of a litter box. A blessing and a curse - he can't ever let his guard down these days. Not for a second.]
But to your question - I do enjoy learning facts some might consider distressing or bizarre. It's fascinating to me. Do you know any?
That makes me think of someone...[Someone whose "thoughts expand to many areas" - always thinking...]
You're alike in some ways...
[He lets his face sink under the water all the way up to his nose for a moment, considering. He doesn't know all that many facts about the world or the way things work, but...
[He lifts his head up again.]
It's not really distressing, but it is strange. A titan's body is extremely light in weight.
They can still crush anything smaller than them as if they were heavy, but severed titan limbs weigh as much as a feather.
That is interesting - Akechi's full attention on Eren as he relays that, his eyes falling to the water and the hidden appendages underneath.
To think that arm bringing him back to the Farm during a war would lack any power behind it the second it's severed.]
Is that so? I can hardly imagine that. I certainly wouldn't want to test it, but I can't help to be curious at the result of it.
[How do the logistics of that WORK.]
Is it the second a limb is severed or does it require time away from the body? Does it disappear like your form does when you leave the titan, or is something else needed to decompose your flesh?
[Eren shakes his head. His hair is tied up higher than normal to avoid getting wet.]
Whether its a pure titan or the remains of a shifter's titan, it will decay in only minutes after the body is dead. As soon as it is, there's no weight.
[A quiet beat, and then:]
I do have the ability to leave a shell behind now, but it's not quite the same. It's crystal made through a hardening ability. Structures made from that material can stand for hundreds of years. Maybe more.
At a minimum, such a skill will protect small areas of this world. It gets destroyed on a near monthly rate now.
He takes his eyes off the water - away from Eren's submerged arms and looks up to the ceiling.]
Titans are fascinating. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought such a thing could exist. In my own reality, we have legends about similar beings - gigantic skeletons staring into homes and giants that turn into mountains when humans rest their eyes on them.
[A beat, and-]
Though there's a place they live on, in a sense. If wonder if 'titans' reside in that place in my world.
[Eren is quiet for a moment, dull stare forward on the wall across from him. He's already adjusting to the heat. He eases out of the water to cool his shoulders again.]
At the end of the day, titans are just Eldians. They were all human once. Changed into monsters.
[His eyes glance sideways toward Akechi, though he doesn't move his head.]
[That's the truth and one he needs to keep close - humans transformed into grotesque creatures. They were human once. Eren was human once.
But it doesn't matter when Eren is Eren. Strong, determined, brutal.
And the Metaverse is full of that in a difference sense - human desires distorted into rot.
He stays submerged and lets the heat ease the tension in his body, every muscle relaxing in the steaming water.]
I suppose I've never told you, though I'm sure you've heard from Maruki-san at this point. There's a place in my reality called Mementos, or the Collective Unconcious. Worlds called 'palaces' in a human heart. Both hold the distorted desires of humanity - the beings inside taking the form of figures in common folklore to attack intruders as they're found.
[At this, a curious tilt of Eren's head in Akechi's direction. He's heard of the "collective unconcious" before - that's about it, unless he's forgetting something (many such cases).]
I don't remember hearing anything about mementos or palaces.
Those beings. Something other than a persona, you mean?
[It's a surprise - though little can be relied on when it comes to Eren's memories right now.
But if he knows, it's irrelevant. He can do nothing with the information and their alliance has been solidified over the months.
Years, for some.
He's seen Loki. Robin Hood. Knows more than many.]
Yes. Though there's a stark difference between them, despite similarities. A persona is a manifestation of willpower and rebellion in a human heart. Robin Hood. Loki. Azathoth.
Shadows are the opposite of it, in a way. A suppressed, unwanted nature manifest to accompany distorted desires. Persona tend to be unique to the user. Shadows lack that. You can fight 'Pixie' multiple times. Narcissus, Barong, Garuda -
[Shido's palace. Shido's shadows.]
In clusters, over and over. They tend to vanish, and reappear.
[He definitely hasn't heard anything about this. Akechi surely speaks from experience - has seen battle in a form that Eren didn't necessarily expect.
[It's exciting, to be learning this from him - not Maruki, who he expects to be forthcoming. His gaze sharpens on Akechi.]
It makes sense. If they come from the collective unconscious, then they would be of a common type, right?
Humanity's collective desires being disorted...That's pretty universal. I just wouldn't think of it manifesting that way...
[He can't help but relate it to a pure titan vs. a titan shifter - a shadow vs. a persona and the person its attached to. The commonalities are surprising...]
That would leave only the people with the strongest wills to fight, wouldn't it? That's pretty universal too.
[The details don't matter. Eren will never see it with his own eyes - won't ever grasp the difference between a distorted heart or a bizarre, twisting subway station full of creatures ready to kill.
They're the same, in essence. Both 'worlds' pull from the Metaverse. Show it in different ways.
The water really could stand to go up a few degrees. He can see his reddened fingertips just below the surface.]
The strongest desire to rebel against an unjust world and the ability to form a contract with that power inside of you. Of course, there's an argument to be made about whether someone should be battling in that place at all.
In fact, it's rumored people can die from it, if they're targeted. A stray attack killing a person's distorted heart, causing them to die in reality. Of course, that's all hypothetical.
There is an argument to be made. What's the use in fighting against a distorted heart? If those rumors are true, then there's a whole new way of taking out chess pieces. Is that it?
[Eren's heart is distorted. He knows that much. Anyone who knows him knows that much. What would the use of fighting that distortion been in him? To stop him, clearly, with an attack like Akechi's described.
[Eren's wondered before - who is Akechi trying to "stop"?]
That's a bit cruel, isn't it? Imagine, a heart targeted because of the passing whims of another, your life lost with the death of an ego. A miserable end. A painful one, more than likely. Human beings aren't chess pieces, after all. You can't tip one over to end their life. You have to choke it out of them.
[Streams of blackened, murky blood flowing through eyes and mouth, choking on their own rot.]
It's a matter I was investigating in my reality - a rumor that 'Mental Shutdowns' occur due to such an attack. Though I'm fortunate that I have the ability to explore such a world, it's been a difficult connection to make.
Regardless of how difficult they are to take out, a chess piece plays the same role. Remove them, and you turn the tides of the game. I know you understand what I mean.
Surely, you've come to the same conclusion in your research.
I've noted it, naturally. But it would have to be a powerful person to pull those strings, unnoticed. To keep the dots from connecting with the masses. To hide from the few who can traverse that world, with someone under their own heel leaving a path of destruction.
[A God holding the leash of someone who would kill him.
It's so goddamn funny.
Similar words dropped in a group chat of criminal trash. Less words, less connections. They brushed it off, and paid for it.
It's incredible.]
Wouldn't that be something? I've had ample time to think about it in this reality. When I return, I'll be able to continue my investigation in full with a new perspective or two.
I assume you would take advantage of killing someone in their own heart, unprompted and without mercy.
[Eren would. Akechi has zero doubts about it, and the man doesn't lie about his intentions.
But he leans back against the stone wall, feigns thought. Finds meaning. Tries to decide what would it take to get him to kill someone in their own soul.
A single order, it turns out. A single chance at revenge.]
I think people can be pushed to do the unthinkable with enough motivation.
[A beat - he turns to back at Eren, and-]
Who's to say what a tipping point is. It would be ignorant to think I'm above it, but I would hope it would be in the most dire straits, with no other option afforded to me and that only the scum of society would suffer for it. To take a life is a point you can't return from. I'm sure you know that well.
As usual, I don't believe you. I don't expect you to change your tone based on that alone, of course.
Like you accept the type of person I am, I'll have to come to accept the type of person you are too. It does make it more enjoyable when the shell cracks.
Is a reminder of how Eren grates on his nerves so easily. A volatile, aggressive boy who was less so in his later days was far easier to navigate than this smug shit.]
There's nothing to crack - there never has been. If that's your idea of entertainment, you've failed at it. However, I'm pleased to know you've finally accepted me as I am. What a gift you've given me after so many months.
As if any of the shit out of his mouth is true. As if he believes a single goddamn word. As if his mind isn't as broken and distorted as those under Loki's thrall.
Eren doesn't have a goddamn clue. Akechi doesn't look away, even as his arms cross over his chest, body still submerged.
That look-
Reminds him of a false reality in a shared bed. The same one shared by half of Somnius. A farm left without a ruler. A boy who should've stayed in his reality to die alone, instead of coming back like nothing happened.
A front yard left barren when he vanished. Meeting places with only shadows to fill the seats. Sunlight on a cliff hitting nothing.
Nothing, and Akechi doesn't care. He left, and came back. He doesn't care. Will never care because it's pointless in any reality.
But he has the audacity to say-]
Oh, I can't get rid of you?
[Barbed at the edges, a prince in its shadow.]
That was so funny I almost puked.
[He's not laughing. ❤️]
What a bold statement. The world pushed you out only weeks ago, or have you already forgotten that too?
No, I think it's quite simple to get rid of you. Your weakness is apparent. I'm sure you'll be pulled back into a grave before long.
[The desired result is achieved - Akechi is angry - but it doesn't appear to be for the reason Eren intended. Eren hasn't particularly gotten the impression that Akechi was all that bothered by his absence. He half-doubts that for a moment, watching him through thin pillars of steam.]
I'm not going anywhere. [Quiet, cautious. He watches him.]
It was necessary once. Now, it's time to finish things.
[Still. Held taut. Akechi's own gaze doesn't waver - he stares up at Eren's face with insults on the tip of his tongue. A prison holds them in. He lets the water cover his lips to keep the prince from disappearing completely and-
Lets out an exhale, slow and calm. The bathhouse is a haven. This conversation is pointless. Eren can say whatever the hell he wants because their partnership ends when reality crashes.
He pushes himself back up until the water settles against the middle of his torso.
The words of a dead man don't matter.]
Very well.
[He raises a hand above water, as if waving off the conversation. A flash of 'II' inked into a finger. It falls just as quick.]
Let's hope you don't find it necessary again. You, or this world. Those able to unleash their rebellion are few and far between. We can't afford to lose those willing to fight against this unjust world.
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ur becoming me now. i am thou thou art i
[Difficult to happen here when there's 90 people who all know his name in a town the size of a litter box. A blessing and a curse - he can't ever let his guard down these days. Not for a second.]
But to your question - I do enjoy learning facts some might consider distressing or bizarre. It's fascinating to me. Do you know any?
no subject
You're alike in some ways...
[He lets his face sink under the water all the way up to his nose for a moment, considering. He doesn't know all that many facts about the world or the way things work, but...
[He lifts his head up again.]
It's not really distressing, but it is strange. A titan's body is extremely light in weight.
They can still crush anything smaller than them as if they were heavy, but severed titan limbs weigh as much as a feather.
cw: something idk what but it's weird
That is interesting - Akechi's full attention on Eren as he relays that, his eyes falling to the water and the hidden appendages underneath.
To think that arm bringing him back to the Farm during a war would lack any power behind it the second it's severed.]
Is that so? I can hardly imagine that. I certainly wouldn't want to test it, but I can't help to be curious at the result of it.
[How do the logistics of that WORK.]
Is it the second a limb is severed or does it require time away from the body? Does it disappear like your form does when you leave the titan, or is something else needed to decompose your flesh?
NOT "OH WOW"
Whether its a pure titan or the remains of a shifter's titan, it will decay in only minutes after the body is dead. As soon as it is, there's no weight.
[A quiet beat, and then:]
I do have the ability to leave a shell behind now, but it's not quite the same. It's crystal made through a hardening ability. Structures made from that material can stand for hundreds of years. Maybe more.
no subject
At a minimum, such a skill will protect small areas of this world. It gets destroyed on a near monthly rate now.
He takes his eyes off the water - away from Eren's submerged arms and looks up to the ceiling.]
Titans are fascinating. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought such a thing could exist. In my own reality, we have legends about similar beings - gigantic skeletons staring into homes and giants that turn into mountains when humans rest their eyes on them.
[A beat, and-]
Though there's a place they live on, in a sense. If wonder if 'titans' reside in that place in my world.
cw: crimes against humanity, fictional racism
At the end of the day, titans are just Eldians. They were all human once. Changed into monsters.
[His eyes glance sideways toward Akechi, though he doesn't move his head.]
What place is that?
no subject
But it doesn't matter when Eren is Eren. Strong, determined, brutal.
And the Metaverse is full of that in a difference sense - human desires distorted into rot.
He stays submerged and lets the heat ease the tension in his body, every muscle relaxing in the steaming water.]
I suppose I've never told you, though I'm sure you've heard from Maruki-san at this point. There's a place in my reality called Mementos, or the Collective Unconcious. Worlds called 'palaces' in a human heart. Both hold the distorted desires of humanity - the beings inside taking the form of figures in common folklore to attack intruders as they're found.
no subject
I don't remember hearing anything about mementos or palaces.
Those beings. Something other than a persona, you mean?
no subject
But if he knows, it's irrelevant. He can do nothing with the information and their alliance has been solidified over the months.
Years, for some.
He's seen Loki. Robin Hood. Knows more than many.]
Yes. Though there's a stark difference between them, despite similarities. A persona is a manifestation of willpower and rebellion in a human heart. Robin Hood. Loki. Azathoth.
Shadows are the opposite of it, in a way. A suppressed, unwanted nature manifest to accompany distorted desires. Persona tend to be unique to the user. Shadows lack that. You can fight 'Pixie' multiple times. Narcissus, Barong, Garuda -
[Shido's palace. Shido's shadows.]
In clusters, over and over. They tend to vanish, and reappear.
no subject
[It's exciting, to be learning this from him - not Maruki, who he expects to be forthcoming. His gaze sharpens on Akechi.]
It makes sense. If they come from the collective unconscious, then they would be of a common type, right?
Humanity's collective desires being disorted...That's pretty universal. I just wouldn't think of it manifesting that way...
[He can't help but relate it to a pure titan vs. a titan shifter - a shadow vs. a persona and the person its attached to. The commonalities are surprising...]
That would leave only the people with the strongest wills to fight, wouldn't it? That's pretty universal too.
cw: murder
They're the same, in essence. Both 'worlds' pull from the Metaverse. Show it in different ways.
The water really could stand to go up a few degrees. He can see his reddened fingertips just below the surface.]
The strongest desire to rebel against an unjust world and the ability to form a contract with that power inside of you. Of course, there's an argument to be made about whether someone should be battling in that place at all.
In fact, it's rumored people can die from it, if they're targeted. A stray attack killing a person's distorted heart, causing them to die in reality. Of course, that's all hypothetical.
no subject
There is an argument to be made. What's the use in fighting against a distorted heart? If those rumors are true, then there's a whole new way of taking out chess pieces. Is that it?
[Eren's heart is distorted. He knows that much. Anyone who knows him knows that much. What would the use of fighting that distortion been in him? To stop him, clearly, with an attack like Akechi's described.
[Eren's wondered before - who is Akechi trying to "stop"?]
cw: murder
[Streams of blackened, murky blood flowing through eyes and mouth, choking on their own rot.]
It's a matter I was investigating in my reality - a rumor that 'Mental Shutdowns' occur due to such an attack. Though I'm fortunate that I have the ability to explore such a world, it's been a difficult connection to make.
no subject
Surely, you've come to the same conclusion in your research.
no subject
[A God holding the leash of someone who would kill him.
It's so goddamn funny.
Similar words dropped in a group chat of criminal trash. Less words, less connections. They brushed it off, and paid for it.
It's incredible.]
Wouldn't that be something? I've had ample time to think about it in this reality. When I return, I'll be able to continue my investigation in full with a new perspective or two.
no subject
Would you take advantage of it if you could?
[He won't answer truthfully, Eren knows, but his lies can speak volumes.]
It would have been a useful tool in the war I fought.
no subject
[Eren would. Akechi has zero doubts about it, and the man doesn't lie about his intentions.
But he leans back against the stone wall, feigns thought. Finds meaning. Tries to decide what would it take to get him to kill someone in their own soul.
A single order, it turns out. A single chance at revenge.]
I think people can be pushed to do the unthinkable with enough motivation.
[A beat - he turns to back at Eren, and-]
Who's to say what a tipping point is. It would be ignorant to think I'm above it, but I would hope it would be in the most dire straits, with no other option afforded to me and that only the scum of society would suffer for it. To take a life is a point you can't return from. I'm sure you know that well.
no subject
It seems you do too. Talking like that.
no subject
Less than you think - I am a detective. I am on murder cases. I've spoken to a fair share of those relaying such feelings.
no subject
As usual, I don't believe you. I don't expect you to change your tone based on that alone, of course.
Like you accept the type of person I am, I'll have to come to accept the type of person you are too. It does make it more enjoyable when the shell cracks.
no subject
[This-
Is a reminder of how Eren grates on his nerves so easily. A volatile, aggressive boy who was less so in his later days was far easier to navigate than this smug shit.]
There's nothing to crack - there never has been. If that's your idea of entertainment, you've failed at it. However, I'm pleased to know you've finally accepted me as I am. What a gift you've given me after so many months.
no subject
[Eren's eyes fall; he looks Akechi up and down.]
At any rate, you should know you can't get rid of me by now. You'll lose the long game.
no subject
As if any of the shit out of his mouth is true. As if he believes a single goddamn word. As if his mind isn't as broken and distorted as those under Loki's thrall.
Eren doesn't have a goddamn clue. Akechi doesn't look away, even as his arms cross over his chest, body still submerged.
That look-
Reminds him of a false reality in a shared bed. The same one shared by half of Somnius. A farm left without a ruler. A boy who should've stayed in his reality to die alone, instead of coming back like nothing happened.
A front yard left barren when he vanished. Meeting places with only shadows to fill the seats. Sunlight on a cliff hitting nothing.
Nothing, and Akechi doesn't care. He left, and came back. He doesn't care. Will never care because it's pointless in any reality.
But he has the audacity to say-]
Oh, I can't get rid of you?
[Barbed at the edges, a prince in its shadow.]
That was so funny I almost puked.
[He's not laughing. ❤️]
What a bold statement. The world pushed you out only weeks ago, or have you already forgotten that too?
No, I think it's quite simple to get rid of you. Your weakness is apparent. I'm sure you'll be pulled back into a grave before long.
no subject
I'm not going anywhere. [Quiet, cautious. He watches him.]
It was necessary once. Now, it's time to finish things.
no subject
Lets out an exhale, slow and calm. The bathhouse is a haven. This conversation is pointless. Eren can say whatever the hell he wants because their partnership ends when reality crashes.
He pushes himself back up until the water settles against the middle of his torso.
The words of a dead man don't matter.]
Very well.
[He raises a hand above water, as if waving off the conversation. A flash of 'II' inked into a finger. It falls just as quick.]
Let's hope you don't find it necessary again. You, or this world. Those able to unleash their rebellion are few and far between. We can't afford to lose those willing to fight against this unjust world.
(no subject)
CW: boiling torture & mmm skin again
cw: disgusting...cannibalism...horror shit, dead bodies, aot is a horror canon
cw: cont - cannibalism talk, dead bodies, boiling
cw: really gross shit, more horrifying cannibalism shit, gore, dead bodies
cw: cannibalism talk, gore, dead bodies, just don't read
cw: crimes against humanity, cannibalism, fictional racism FLATVIEW BEWARE!!!
cw: crimes against humanity, cannibalism, torture, death talk
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however we can still wrap if you'd like hehe
<3 wrappin but they still hanging <3