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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
Ah. The "I don't remember anything but I want to be with you forever" one?
...I could see that annoying him, but not quite to that extent. A lot of that memory didn't really make sense to me, though, so it could have been something else too.
The memory was very straightforward, so I don't know what else he could possibly be angry about. Surely if he were annoyed by friendship he would have just rubbed it in our faces, not run away.
We fought, obviously. But it was... vicious. And he seemed desperate - he shot me point blank a few times, blew up his dragon to electrocute me, and dropped me into the abyss we were fighting above. Among other things.
And he didn't even seem to enjoy any of it. He seemed to grow more desperate the longer I didn't die, rather than getting a thrill out of it.
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I've noticed he brings those topics up frequently, especially for someone who professes indifference to both of them.
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[ . . . ]
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.
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[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...
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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.
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[ 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.
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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.
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Well... I suppose I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who finds it perplexing.
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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.
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...I could see that annoying him, but not quite to that extent. A lot of that memory didn't really make sense to me, though, so it could have been something else too.
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I know he doesn't seem like he feels those emotions, but that's because the way he reacts to them is like this.
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Even if that's so, I couldn't imagine why... And his behavior afterwards in the game seems like a disproportionate reaction, even for him.
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And he didn't even seem to enjoy any of it. He seemed to grow more desperate the longer I didn't die, rather than getting a thrill out of it.
[ The actual alarming part in all this!!!! ]
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Hm.
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I could try to ask him about it... but, like I mentioned, he's probably still a bit mad at me right now.
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I don't want you to end up wrapped up in this. Asking about it might just piss him off, and it sounds like you don't need that at the moment.
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