(no subject)

[theyregooddogs]

[whenever they are both up to functioning]

What's your plan for tonight?

Comments

[afailedmurder]

...Yes. Right.

[rather than getting out properly, he starts climbing up a slide. he's not half bad at it.]

[theyregooddogs]

[well bless you, akechi]

Finding anything?

[afailedmurder]

[he scrambles right on up. the kid's more athletic than he looks]

Nothing but skeletons up here.

[theyregooddogs]

Akechi.

[not funny!!]

[afailedmurder]

Kidding, kidding! There's nothing interesting.

[theyregooddogs]

As expected. Let's head back and see if we can catch anything.

[afailedmurder]

Oka~y.

[better come right back down that slide, then]

[theyregooddogs]

You're enjoying yourself . . .

[afailedmurder]

I assure you, I'm taking it seriously! I'm simply in better spirits today.

[theyregooddogs]

Didn't think you weren't being serious.

[afailedmurder]

I could approach it with a bit more... decorum. If you prefer.

[theyregooddogs]

No . . . No, no, you are fine just as you are.

[wary and pleased by his happiness really but it's all blank slate really]

[afailedmurder]

[pulling himself out of the pit]

I've been getting along better with others lately. I should probably thank you for at least some of that.

[theyregooddogs]

That's a very strange sentiment to hear about myself. But you're welcome, I think?

[afailedmurder]

You were the one who made me think about trying to make some more friends.

[thoughtful pause]

Or... maybe you tricked me into it? Shifted my cognition, if you will. But I don't really mind.

[theyregooddogs]

I gave you a tool, explained how it works, and gave you homework. No manipulation involved. But glad it seemed useful to you.

[afailedmurder]

In a perverse way, I think the dire situation is helpful to me as well. It's been easier to move forward knowing I don't have much to lose.

So, Will-san—may I call you that? Do you have any more homework for me?

[theyregooddogs]

Intense bonds are generated during intense times. It's also why you get Stockholm syndrome.

Will's fine. But I'm not sure about other homework. Figuring out the code to people is a useful practice, not something that should be given out easily.

[afailedmurder]

I'm still ready to shove some raccoons down a garbage disposal, so I'm okay on the Stockholm for now.

You know, before I came here, I was certain that I already understood all there was to know about people. But I realize now, all I'd really figured out was good marketing. Maybe I should quit my job as a detective and become an ad executive. What do you think?

[theyregooddogs]

You couldn't direct them more off the mark than they already are most of the time. It could be worth a try.

Akechi, your understanding of people is fueled by your distaste for them. They are machines that produce X reaction with Y stimulus, and you adjust your response based on individual differences. It's not that simple.

[afailedmurder]

I think I'd be good at it!

[laughs! ...and then frowns]

But of course I have a distaste for people. I can see into their hearts, after all. That's my power.

[theyregooddogs]

Coming back to that power later. You may be able to see, but you can't feel. You have shut off your emotions in an effort of self-preservation; you don't feel yours, you can't begin to feel theirs.

[afailedmurder]

I... still have emotions. Perhaps not in the same way as when I was a child, but I was a deeply depressed child.

[theyregooddogs]

You do, but they are only the highest highs and the lowest lows. Am I wrong?

[afailedmurder]

...No. I suppose not.