[The username does bring a smile to his name, even if it's brief.]
Seems we are. It looks like I was assigned Hearts.
[He glances around the room that's as tiny as a closet. Thin futon with equally thin bedding. Above where he rests his head are all of his collected items so far, pilled onto a tiny, broken slab of a table that's barely off of the ground. He thinks of the strange noises he hears every few hours.
Well. A little white lie never hurt anyone, probably.]
I've had nicer, but the room is okay. It's a little cold, but I'll get something to handle that when I have a chance.
[As he says it, he can feel his dwindling funds hanging over his shoulder. It isn't enough money. With all of the extra expenses that he has to pay... how long can he sustain this?
Very, very fitting. Perhaps the House knows too much and has a funny sense of humor.
He does get up then, padding through his room, quaint and cosy. The desk beneath his artificial window is lined with every lucky trinket he brought back from the ryokan, and there's still steam dissipating from the shower he took upon arrival when he passes the little washroom. ]
Perhaps we're even on the same floor?
[ What's he doing? Why, opening up his door, poking his head out to look left and right down the hall. The one personal touch to his room is right outside said door, a welcome mat patterned with apples. He doesn't see anything on or around any other doors that might indicate Akira is behind them, though.
[Maruki didn't answer him, and he notices it. Catalogues it. He doesn't say anything about it for now, though.
He's given no indication of the state of his own room, so Akira should be careful with what he says. Akira will bring it up if and when it's relevant, but it would serve no purpose to mention it now other than causing Maruki to worry. His head should be as clear as possible for their days ahead.]
[A tangible way to help is presented to him, even if it's harder to act on; Akira can feel himself sink deeper against the bed, limbs going relaxed.]
If I was there... I'd offer you a massage. [He hums, thinks about his small collection of oils he'd accumulated from the ryokan. A few of them must be a risk, and he wouldn't use anything on her without testing it first himself - unless Kotone wanted to experience one of them... But surely at least one that he's gotten his hands on is normal?] I might not be a pro, but I've learned a trick or two.
[Is he planning to tell her how he picked that up? Absolutely not ♥︎]
That might be more difficult over the phone... but would that be something you'd be interested in?
You don't have to apologize. A lot of these things feel new for me, too, even if some of them probably aren't.
[Even the basement… It's familiar, even if it feels like it's the first time he's felt the discomforts of this room. Did he visit here before? Did he sleep here?
Maybe it's best not to linger on it.]
If your rank is 6, though, you're probably higher up than I am.
It was probably foolish of him to think they'd be able to talk around it, when the date looms large every time they so much as glance at their Watches. ]
You assumed I might be having trouble in my room since I'm on a lower floor. It just made me think you might be having your own troubles, is all. Did I assume incorrectly?
[It could be Maruki experiencing difficulties with his own room, even if he should be better off than the basement floor. Maybe he only heard of what was going on in the lower floors and wanted to check on him. But it could be...]
[ Oh, thank god. He's still just talking about their accommodations. ]
No, what I've been given is just fine! It's certainly smaller than my apartment back in Tokyo, but I can't complain about it. I have a bed, a desk and my own shower.
[ ... ]
It is strange not having a kitchen, though. More than strange...
I wonder how high one has to climb up the ladder for a basic amenity like that.
[A strange feeling passes over his heart; he can't tell if it's relief or disappointment. Maruki may have just been worried about him and nothing else. Nothing seems to be wrong with his room... and it seems neither of them have brought up the date.
Something about that doesn't sit quite right with him. But he doesn't need to push it, either, and reopen wounds that have barely just begun to heal. Besides, what is a relief is that his room doesn't seem to be like Akira's.]
I'd imagine that's part of our motivation to move up. The more desperate people get for even their most basic needs, the more they'll talk themselves into going along with this.
[The lack of a private bathroom is probably supposed to serve as a motivator in Akira's case, too, but these are all things he's experienced before. Less comfortable conditions, only having access to public bathing, the sudden change in the staff's attitude when he went from a wildcard to rank 2-
Akira knows how these things go, even if there isn't someone to point the finger at directly.]
What do you think their intent is? They've told us the obvious, but I have to wonder at their methods.
As much as I don't want to bring this up, I do think part of their intent is [ god this is so awkward ] entertainment, for lack of a better word. It must be enjoyable for them to watch people in [ GOD THIS IS SO AWKWARD ] situations such as these.
Beyond that, I'm not sure. I'm still getting my feet underneath me. Just when I got used to the ryokan, it was gone.
[In situations such as these. He can almost hear Maruki dodging the more literal words through the text. In spite of everything, it's kind of funny.
The point that follows is a good concern, though. Akira's too adaptable to be bothered by it much, but for Maruki... He's sure it must be harder.]
It's strange, isn't it? It would be one thing if they were using that for motivation too, but I'm sure there are people with higher ranks that have even nicer accommodations. And yet as far as I can tell, the unassigned were placed into the ryokan equally with guests who already had their assignments.
It may just be like you said. Another part of their entertainment, without any larger meaning. Or it could be something that's just too hard to figure out without more information about them.
[It might be better not to bother Maruki with it at all; even if things feel clearer when Akira talks to him, Maruki may not be equipped to investigate in the same way. More than that... Some of the things Akira is considering doing could put him in unnecessary danger.
But it still nags at him. Today's date. Is it really just chance that February 3rd is the day they were marked?
Akira can't believe in coincidences like that. Not after the things he's been through.]
Did you also get moved to your new room while you were asleep? It happened to me a few times in the ryokan, too.
I did. Fortunately, I had some warning that it might happen that way, but that didn't make the actual act of waking up here any less strange.
[ He pauses, heart thumping too heavy against his ribs for a few long moments.
They're both dancing around it, aren't they? Not that this conversation doesn't matter too, but– well, the must both find it almost comically obvious now when they're trying to don masks around one another again. What a futile effort.
That's not the way Maruki wants to live his second chance at life, especially not around Akira. So he steadies himself with a few deep breaths, and he bites the bullet. ]
Then again, everything usually feels strange on this day, no matter how commonplace it is otherwise.
I didn't expect to come face to face with this anniversary so soon.
Candidly, I'm surprised you want to speak with me at all today.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text; un: psience - 2/3
[ And his username... is personyaa...
Oh, Akira. ]
What designation did you receive? Do you have a nice room?
un; personyaa
Seems we are. It looks like I was assigned Hearts.
[He glances around the room that's as tiny as a closet. Thin futon with equally thin bedding. Above where he rests his head are all of his collected items so far, pilled onto a tiny, broken slab of a table that's barely off of the ground. He thinks of the strange noises he hears every few hours.
Well. A little white lie never hurt anyone, probably.]
I've had nicer, but the room is okay. It's a little cold, but I'll get something to handle that when I have a chance.
[As he says it, he can feel his dwindling funds hanging over his shoulder. It isn't enough money. With all of the extra expenses that he has to pay... how long can he sustain this?
Akira already knows the answer to that.]
How about you? Are you doing alright?
no subject
[ And fitting.
Very, very fitting. Perhaps the House knows too much and has a funny sense of humor.
He does get up then, padding through his room, quaint and cosy. The desk beneath his artificial window is lined with every lucky trinket he brought back from the ryokan, and there's still steam dissipating from the shower he took upon arrival when he passes the little washroom. ]
Perhaps we're even on the same floor?
[ What's he doing? Why, opening up his door, poking his head out to look left and right down the hall. The one personal touch to his room is right outside said door, a welcome mat patterned with apples. He doesn't see anything on or around any other doors that might indicate Akira is behind them, though.
Also, he's ignoring that last question for now. ]
no subject
He's given no indication of the state of his own room, so Akira should be careful with what he says. Akira will bring it up if and when it's relevant, but it would serve no purpose to mention it now other than causing Maruki to worry. His head should be as clear as possible for their days ahead.]
We could be. What floor are you on?
no subject
[ He's seen the basement floors, because you bet your ass he's already gotten lost trying to find his own room. ]
My rank is 6, if that helps at all. I'm sorry, this is still all very new to me.
@orphne ; welcome event (february)
[A tangible way to help is presented to him, even if it's harder to act on; Akira can feel himself sink deeper against the bed, limbs going relaxed.]
If I was there... I'd offer you a massage. [He hums, thinks about his small collection of oils he'd accumulated from the ryokan. A few of them must be a risk, and he wouldn't use anything on her without testing it first himself - unless Kotone wanted to experience one of them... But surely at least one that he's gotten his hands on is normal?] I might not be a pro, but I've learned a trick or two.
[Is he planning to tell her how he picked that up? Absolutely not ♥︎]
That might be more difficult over the phone... but would that be something you'd be interested in?
no subject
[Even the basement… It's familiar, even if it feels like it's the first time he's felt the discomforts of this room. Did he visit here before? Did he sleep here?
Maybe it's best not to linger on it.]
If your rank is 6, though, you're probably higher up than I am.
no subject
You're welcome to hang around in my room if you need to escape... whatever it is you're dealing with!
[ Is it worse than a milk crate bed in a dusty attic? ]
no subject
It hasn't been so bad. Nothing that I can't handle.
It does make me wonder, though, if you've been dealing with things in your own room?
no subject
It was probably foolish of him to think they'd be able to talk around it, when the date looms large every time they so much as glance at their Watches. ]
What do you mean?
no subject
[It could be Maruki experiencing difficulties with his own room, even if he should be better off than the basement floor. Maybe he only heard of what was going on in the lower floors and wanted to check on him. But it could be...]
no subject
No, what I've been given is just fine! It's certainly smaller than my apartment back in Tokyo, but I can't complain about it. I have a bed, a desk and my own shower.
[ ... ]
It is strange not having a kitchen, though. More than strange...
I wonder how high one has to climb up the ladder for a basic amenity like that.
no subject
Something about that doesn't sit quite right with him. But he doesn't need to push it, either, and reopen wounds that have barely just begun to heal. Besides, what is a relief is that his room doesn't seem to be like Akira's.]
I'd imagine that's part of our motivation to move up. The more desperate people get for even their most basic needs, the more they'll talk themselves into going along with this.
[The lack of a private bathroom is probably supposed to serve as a motivator in Akira's case, too, but these are all things he's experienced before. Less comfortable conditions, only having access to public bathing, the sudden change in the staff's attitude when he went from a wildcard to rank 2-
Akira knows how these things go, even if there isn't someone to point the finger at directly.]
What do you think their intent is? They've told us the obvious, but I have to wonder at their methods.
no subject
As much as I don't want to bring this up, I do think part of their intent is [ god this is so awkward ] entertainment, for lack of a better word. It must be enjoyable for them to watch people in [ GOD THIS IS SO AWKWARD ] situations such as these.
Beyond that, I'm not sure. I'm still getting my feet underneath me. Just when I got used to the ryokan, it was gone.
no subject
The point that follows is a good concern, though. Akira's too adaptable to be bothered by it much, but for Maruki... He's sure it must be harder.]
It's strange, isn't it? It would be one thing if they were using that for motivation too, but I'm sure there are people with higher ranks that have even nicer accommodations. And yet as far as I can tell, the unassigned were placed into the ryokan equally with guests who already had their assignments.
It may just be like you said. Another part of their entertainment, without any larger meaning. Or it could be something that's just too hard to figure out without more information about them.
[It might be better not to bother Maruki with it at all; even if things feel clearer when Akira talks to him, Maruki may not be equipped to investigate in the same way. More than that... Some of the things Akira is considering doing could put him in unnecessary danger.
But it still nags at him. Today's date. Is it really just chance that February 3rd is the day they were marked?
Akira can't believe in coincidences like that. Not after the things he's been through.]
Did you also get moved to your new room while you were asleep? It happened to me a few times in the ryokan, too.
no subject
[ He pauses, heart thumping too heavy against his ribs for a few long moments.
They're both dancing around it, aren't they? Not that this conversation doesn't matter too, but– well, the must both find it almost comically obvious now when they're trying to don masks around one another again. What a futile effort.
That's not the way Maruki wants to live his second chance at life, especially not around Akira. So he steadies himself with a few deep breaths, and he bites the bullet. ]
Then again, everything usually feels strange on this day, no matter how commonplace it is otherwise.
I didn't expect to come face to face with this anniversary so soon.
Candidly, I'm surprised you want to speak with me at all today.