IMEEJI INBOX

[rollplayinghouse]

Comments

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Maki... ]

It sounds pretty ominous when you put it like that...

[rollplayinghouse]

Are you going to tell me you actually just wanted advice on what present to get him?

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He rolls his eyes at the very thought. ]

Fair enough. I just wanted your perspective on something.

Have you noticed him acting... strangely, lately?

[rollplayinghouse]

[hmmm]

...Maybe. In what way?

[puzzlekeeper]

Quicker to anger than usual, for one. And he's been doing things that are very uncharacteristic - like backing away and fleeing when I confront him.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Interesting. I did end up having an argument with him myself, after this last game. And there's been a couple of weird things, though nothing like running away.

[puzzlekeeper]

This doesn't even touch on his behavior in that game... [ SIGHING ] What are the weird things you've noticed?

[rollplayinghouse]

Well, he asked to be kept updated on one of my relationships. Not—a romantic one. Just in general.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ That doesn't sound fueled by jealousy. ]

...

That doesn't make any sense.

[rollplayinghouse]

He said it was a social experiment. Because it was X, who's from my world.

[puzzlekeeper]

Has X showed an interest in you? Is he trying to keep on top of potential competition?

[rollplayinghouse]

...W-Well... X did kind of confess to me, after the kissing game... I turned him down, though.

But I don't really think that's it. Intensity was going on about things like destiny, and being a different person than I was in my memories, and that sort of thing.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ This information doesn't appear to surprise him at all. Everyone in Imeeji wants to date Maki apparently. ]

I've noticed he brings those topics up frequently, especially for someone who professes indifference to both of them.

[rollplayinghouse]

I don't know about "indifference." He told me he hates destiny.

[puzzlekeeper]

I imagine he would.

[ . . . ]

I suppose that could explain some of his behavior, but not all of it, and not why it only began recently instead of long ago.

[rollplayinghouse]

Mm. Well, let's see... if he's been avoiding a confrontation, that probably means it's a confrontation he doesn't want to have. Like something that would require him admitting to feelings. Or something that he knows wouldn't go well for him... but not in the "getting beaten up" way. He knows how to handle that.

[her tone is thoughtful, like she's working this out as she speaks]

When he's acting weird, it's usually because he feels like something's out of his control. So he'll just avoid it, or lash out elsewhere to make himself feel like he has a hold on things...

[puzzlekeeper]

Well, he certainly lashed out.

In the game, he challenged me to a duel - which itself is no surprise. But everything else about it was...

[ A pause, considering what word to use to describe the issue. ]

Wrong.

[rollplayinghouse]

...Wrong how?

[puzzlekeeper]

I don't think either of us are happy about it, for one.

[ Which probably doesn't sound intuitive as far as death duels are concerned, but he trusts Maki will understand. ]

He came at me like he was possessed, but it wasn't just about winning; I can tell the difference. It's like he was desperate for me to die. And after he secured his victory, he refuses to gloat about it, or even really discuss it. He didn't even gloat about it to me, which is perhaps the most alarming part.

[rollplayinghouse]

That is very strange. And you don't have any idea why he might be upset?

[puzzlekeeper]

No. Maybe if this started after the trial, I could understand it, but...

He was fine one day, until he suddenly wasn't. And I can't imagine being successful working with him as things currently are, which is why I'm concerned.

[rollplayinghouse]

Well, something definitely happened. From the way you say it, it sounds like more than just lashing out, though. He picked a fight with Joker when he was shaken by something completely unrelated, but if it totally changed how he interacts with you it's probably not like that...

[puzzlekeeper]

[ He sighs, rubbing at his temple for a moment. ]

Well... I suppose I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who finds it perplexing.

[rollplayinghouse]

...It's probably something to do with you. You really don't have any idea what it could have been?

[puzzlekeeper]

...

The first time it happened, everyone was taking memories - myself included. Everything had been normal up until that encounter. I can't think of anything particularly notable that happened between then and the last time we'd spoken previously.