theyregooddogs | (no subject)

[ugly laugh]

Oh, I already know all about that. Prosecutors only care about winning and money and impressing whichever political party they'll end up with once they're ready to settle down and become even more filthy rich. And the public, stupid fucking sheep that they are, believe everything they hear as long as it fits the popular narrative. That's what I learned when I became a detective.

And that's not even accounting for what that asshole's former friends will do. The odds are not terrible that I myself will be made to disappear.

You've already built a good offense against yourself. What about your defense? There's Akira. But what else?

That's it. Just him.

But that's not as bad as it sounds. If anybody can change the world, it's Akira Kurusu. He's so easy to admire it'll make you a little sick.

I'm not sure about admire, but he does have a lot of bravado.

Let me rephrase the question: Why would you want to return? What draws you to it? And what do you see anyone gaining from you being present again?

[shakes his head]

I don't. There's nothing. Only Kurusu.

[even, honestly curious]

Not even being a detective or solving cases?

I cared when I started. I wanted to do justice. But like I said, I learned pretty quickly how pointless it was to even try. In the end, I only leveraged the position to become famous.

[snorts]

I caused most of the cases I solved, anyway. I have a sort of... you could call it a psychic power. Had.

Akechi, you need help. You should consider putting some space between you and Akira— Space, not separation, don't invalidate his agency —And exploring other possible anchors, too. Logic says what you're picturing is unstable, so you feel instability. Stabilize, find a foundation.

And I am not going to teach you analysis. You have enough in your own head without getting into the minds of others.

But we're finally getting along! I think he's even starting to trust me!

[the prospect is so distressing he barely even notices the bit about analysis]

You will get along a lot better when he thinks that you have a network of people to fall back on rather than just him. Have you talked to him about spending the night with Shuichi or about me?

I've been sharing relevant information with him...

Edited 2017-12-22 12:58 (UTC)

I like to fish. Specifically, fly fishing. I make my own lures. Wally, my son, has gotten better at casting. By better I mean that he has stopped catching me or himself with the hook. He still refuses to fish in the winter with me, though.

This all came up casually between us while we were discussing everything else. He will be surprised, ask questions, and depending on how well you can sell him on that exchange genuinely happening, be pleased.

[blinks. a light bulb has switched on.]

...That's brilliant.

In the future, you're going to have to do your own "detective" work to show that you get along with people. But consider this is a chance to test my skills.

I was always good at digging up dirt.

[oh god, who is he going to try to befriend]

Try digging up hobbies, goals, dreams. Dirt will probably only work with Jack.

No, I understand. I can do the whole pointless small talk thing. I'm actually quite charismatic when I need to be.

[a pause]

...Shit, that really is exactly what a sociopath would say.

No, you're still off the mark on sociopathy. I might still teach you what that looks like as a public service.

Edited 2017-12-22 13:40 (UTC)

I always thought "sociopathy" was more of a pop culture term, similar to how we use the word "psycho" in Japan. It's one of the handful of English words that everybody knows, but it's far removed from a real clinical definition.

[did you know, this boy is a nerd]

Clinically, no, we don't use the term any more. But it's hard to shake old habits. Still, it describes people that already have a lot to deal with on top of getting a bad reputation in the media.

Well, I'd be interested in learning.