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[luneminary]

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(action) snow dreamers quest - I hereby christen this inbox

[noentry]

[Here they stand in the shin-deep snow. Sano's brows are pulled together, perplexed.]

So...we're supposed to make each other?

YAY sano first!!

[luneminary]

[It's times like this that Ryoji's glad he wears a scarf all the time - it's cold out here! He can feel his fingers freeze as he tries to mold the snow in his hands.]

Looks like it! You have a nice face, so I'll have to work reaaaaally hard to get it right.

[noentry]

Huh?

[Sano gives a couple of blank-faced blinks.]

Uh. Thanks.

[Does he need to say Ryoji has a nice face too now? He just starts shaping the snow instead. Start with the base...]

I can't tell if we're working together or competing.

[luneminary]

[A thoughtful hum.]

Well, they didn't say anything about helping each other. To be honest, I've never done anything like this before, so I wouldn't mind if you can give me some tips!

> post-sleepr...... it's probably fine

[placation]

[ He can't remember last time he visited the church of the moon. Perhaps in passing when the crystal was overtaking locals and dreamers, but even then– if he ever went inside for any appreciable amount of time, it was so long ago that it may as well have been another lifetime.

It's kind of funny. He snaps a picture outside, sends it to Akechi. Doesn't tell him the nature of who he's meeting with, not yet.

It's easy to spot Ryoji lingering just inside the entrance, and Maruki raises a hand in greeting as he approaches, gentle smile in place. ]

Ryoji-kun. It's nice to see you in person. Thank you again for meeting with me.

[ If he showed up and someone had knowledge of him that no one ought to, he doesn't know if he would have been generous enough to do the same. The gratitude is quietly earnest as he looks over at a nearby pew, beneath a fresco of a full, blood red moon. ]

Shall we have a seat? I'll try not to take up too much of your time.

shaking.

[luneminary]

[Some things, it would seem, do not change even in the turning of a new world. The motifs of the moon look exactly as how he remembers, beautiful and imposing in all its glory. Yet that is where the similarities end, for Nyx's power has no hold over these lands. Ryoji suspected as such when he first came here, and he is sure of it now: the moon here is different from the moon that holds influence over him.

Or perhaps something else is blocking his connection to the celestial body, as Melinoe theorized. A possibility that he cannot test right now.

He hears his name being called out, and Ryoji turns to find the profile of the good doctor he has seen on the phone. He answers his greeting with a slight bow, because isn't that the polite way to greet in Japan?]

It's of no problem. It's nice to meet you as well.

[He leads the way into the church, silent and empty at this time of the day. The pew is quite a ways from the entrance as well — their privacy should be kept even if someone were to casually visit.]

So? What is that you want to talk about?

[Ryoji would say some pleasantries, but he has an inkling that Maruki wants to get to the heart of the matter as soon as possible. And who would blame him, when his questions might change his perceptions of Ryoji once and for all?]

[placation]

[ There's too much he'd like to talk about, too much.

The best place to begin, he supposes, is the beginning. A level playing field will hopefully make this easier. ]

I should start by saying that you don't need to mince words with me. While I'm not entirely sure if I come from the exact same reality as you and Arisato-kun... I'm familiar with personas and shadows.

[ Maruki drops his chin for a moment, looks down at his hands winding together in his lap. It still feels strange, being so forthright about his abilities, but he already had little to hide before his brief trip home. Now that he's lived through that–

There is no mask he can hide behind, no wall he can erect around his changed heart. All he knows is honesty, terrifying and painful as it is. ]

The conversation I witnessed between you two, about eradicating the world's suffering... can I ask why you wanted that?

[ Tacked on quietly, with a soft smile as he raises his head again: ]

I won't judge you for your answer, whatever it is. It's something I wanted as well.

[luneminary]

[Maruki having knowledge with personas and shadows does not come as a surprise to Ryoji. That is, after all, what he thought was going to be the crux of their conversation. It's why he brought Maruki here, so he could talk about the night and the thirteenth hour and the moon that he calls his mother.

…Which is why he is taken by surprise by the real question that Maruki asks of him. Not about his real identity, or of his true form, but by the conditions he has told of Minato in that private moment. Ryoji's own mask breaks into tiny brittle pieces, showing the melancholy that he hides with a veneer of cheer.]

You must have known it by now, but I offered that choice to Minato numerous times.

[Once, as a group. The second time, with only Minato. The last time, with trickery in his hands, trying to remind Minato of what he truly is. A part of him truly wishes he took that deal, even if it meant going against the wishes of his friends. He clenches the hems of his scarf tighter.]

Because it was a hopeless situation. Because the alternative was endless suffering and torment — and I didn't want my friends to experience any of that.

[They would experience the end no matter what, anyway. It would have been preferable for them to at least spend their final days in peace, rather than worrying about a futile struggle.]

It's the only good thing I could provide to them, as Death: peace. A chance to be happy, no matter how fleeting it is.

[Maruki says he won't be judged for his answer, which is a comfort. Yet he cannot help but wonder if he was being selfish then, for wanting to deliver a conclusion Minato and the others did not want.

He looks at the kind doctor with clear blue eyes, searching for something.]

Was it the same, for you?

Text (post canon update)

[whatsamada]

...Ryoji-san? It's me, Ken.

Can we talk for a moment?

text | un: ryojikun

[luneminary]

Ken-san! (*´▽`*)

What's up?

[whatsamada]

Nothing really.

...I went back home and came back.

I know what happened.

[luneminary]

Oh.

So you know who I really am, then.

> 12/25 gift delivery

[dresscode]

[ On Christmas morning, Ryoji will receive a package containing a thin but flashy book titled 25 Best Date Spots In Lumindeas: Where To Go To Find A Love As Great As Seravo And Yuraia's!

There's a note tucked inside the front cover:

Merry Christmas, Ryoji-kun!!!

My own dating advice was totally terrible, so I'm making up for it now! Have fun!!!!

- Abe-sensei ]

> 12/25 gift delivery

[placation]

[ On Christmas morning, Ryoji will receive a small box containing a crystal charm of a waxing crescent moon and a note:

I was told by members of the church of the moon that a charm like this will bring you peace with each new moon. You'll have to let me know if that holds true.

Merry Christmas.

- Dr. Maruki ]

Secret Santa!

[heavenshrimpnow]

[The box left outside his door is wrapped in red-and-white striped wrapping paper, with a red bow stuck on top. The only tag on the outside says 'For Ryoji' in unfamiliar handwriting.

The first of the presents inside is a container magically enchanted to keep warm the small supply of meat buns inside. There's also a pair of black wool gloves tucked inside the box, but the third item is... a M*nopoly set, but not one from home. The board and the pieces are carved out of wood, the cards handmade by Ebisu with little doodles on them. Having it made from memory means that not every detail will be quite right, but it's entirely playable.

There's also a note inside that reads, Merry Christmas from your Secret Santa! Let's have that talk soon. ~ Ebisu Isaburou]

text a few days later! | un: ryojikun

[luneminary]

To think that you made an "offering" to me first! Thank you for the gifts! ＼(≧▽≦)／

[And those were very lovely gifts indeed - the meat buns were delicious, and he still keeps the container for future lunches. He wears the wool gloves constantly while the weather's still cold. And the m*nopoly set hasn't seen much use yet, he definitely hasn't forgotten about it!]

I think I have the time to have that talk in person now. Wanna meet at Sip & Blossom?

text; un: ebisu

[heavenshrimpnow]

What can I say? It must have been my luck at work again. I hope you enjoyed them.

I'm pretty sure I know where that place is. I can be there in half an hour.

text to action!

[luneminary]

Perfect! I'll reserve us a seat!

[And as luck would have it (ha), there's a nice table for two by the window that just happened to be available. Ebisu would find Ryoji cheerfully greeting him from his seat the moment he enters the cafe.]

It's so nice to finally meet you in person!

text, 12/31

[memori3s]

You've never seen the first sunrise of a new year, have you?

[ He knows it's a rhetorical question, but it's still worth asking. ]

text | un: ryojikun

[luneminary]

No, not really.

[At least, not as Ryoji Mochizuki.]

By the time the New Year happened, I was already stuck in the Dark Hour until the rightful day came.

[memori3s]

[ So he'd never seen the sun after that fateful night, not until he'd arrived here... ]

The sun should be out in another hour.

I'm on top of our home. Let's watch the sunrise.

thumbs up minato is the perfect icon for this | action!

[luneminary]

[It doesn't take a while for Ryoji to prepare - having to use freezing waters to wash his face aside - and he winds his scarf just a bit tighter before opening the entrance to their rooftop. A quiet night greets him, with stars blinking in the sky. And in the middle of it all is Minato, waiting for him.

Ryoji can't help but smile. It's the best part of living with him these days - to be able to see him everyday, and see what has changed or what hasn't changed with him.]

It's a cold night.

text - un:akechi misfire event

[enteloki]

Put spice in it or don't. I don't care. Stop bothering me with such nonsense.

text | un: ryojikun

[luneminary]

???????????? Akechi-san?

What kind of spice are we talking about????????

[enteloki]

[ OH LONG JOHNSON. OH DON PIANO. ]

Disregard that message. It wasn't meant for you.