Takuto Maruki

[ Closed AU RP account for Takuto Maruki from Persona 5 Royal affiliated with Kinged. ]

[dreamerofeden]

Short on Change | Maruki and Shizuku

yaegashiryu​:

Her expression softened, though there was a sad sort of edge to it. She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. There were other people who were more serious about it than she had been. It wasn’t like she particularly liked kendo, not that she hated it either. Her feelings were rather lukewarm, despite her skill. She’d only started it because she didn’t want to disappoint her family when they were so excited with her talent for it. Because of that, her dream to be a normal girl had been shelved and put aside. Of course, she reconciled those feelings long ago, before graduation, but every now and then that small pang of guilt shot through her.

“No, please don’t apologize,” she smiled, pushing those feelings back down. “I’m happy to hear it was such a help to her, and I’m sure my family would be happy to know that as well. It’s true that it’s good for clearing one’s mind and working through whatever might be stressing a person out.” It truthfully had at least helped her in that regard. Whenever she had a sword in her hand, or even a shinai, it felt like her worries were far away, like she didn’t need to worry about them in that moment.

A soft laugh escaped her at his insistence and she conceded. “Very well then, if you insist.” Carefully, she pocketed the change but paused at his offer. “Are you sure?” She didn’t mind, really, given the fact she could defend herself. Even if she wasn’t carrying her katana, between her training and clan abilities she was certain she’d be alright if she did run into trouble. “It might be a bit out of your way though.”

The little shift in Shizuku’s expression didn’t escape Maruki’s notice. One of the skills Maruki had managed to gain in his time as a counselor was being able to pick up on those little changes, a hint into the thoughts of his patients. But he wasn’t in the office right now, so it might be overstepping just a bit to pursue whatever cause the touch of melancholy in Shizuku’s features. He just hoped she was okay.

“I assume you’re speaking from personal experience. I think it’s nice to have some sort of activity that clears your mind like that. Even if I could never do it myself do to my, uh... general lack of coordination.” 

Maruki nodded in response. “It’s not a problem. I live alone, so I don’t have anything incredibly pressing at home to attend to.” He didn’t really have many hobbies outside of his job, either... “Shall we go?”

[dreamerofeden]

Beyond Expertise | Maruki and Subaru

questionablehero​:

“Run away?” Parroting these words back, the shallow rapid breaths he’d been sucking down stopped, caught like a lump in his throat as his entire body froze.

A moment lapsed like this, silent, before Subaru found himself able to move his body again. And once he could, he heaved a long, shaky breath as he placed his head in his hands.

“Run away… from it?” Finding his voice, he once again repeated this simple sentence. Though his voice was weak and frail, strained, he could still muster enough energy to speak clearly. But he didn’t understand. The meaning of those words. Run away? Run away from what, exactly? There was no way this man could understand - that even though he did want to run away, to never face the terrible consequences of his disgusting power again, it wasn’t that simple.

“It’s not…” Struggling to find the words he needed, Subaru sat up straight once again. Or, rather, as straight as he could fighting against his fatigued body’s natural inclination to slouch. “It’s not like it could be that easy. I… If I can just… I don’t want anyone else to suffer. No one else needs to suffer, so instead… instead it can just be me. Even if it’s too hard to bear sometimes like this, as long as nobody else is getting hurt… That’s what matters.”

It was like trudging through a murky swamp, getting deeper and deeper as he pressed on, until he was completely submerged, unable to breathe. Maybe because he hadn’t properly talked about it before with anyone, it was just hard to get out. Regardless, he had thrown himself out there now. The full depth of the circumstances he found himself inexorably mired in.

His own life was worthless. So if he could use it to protect and help those around him, those he cared about, even a little bit…

The only mistake he’d made was assuming it would get easier and easier as time went on, instead of harder and harder. But it seemed that he was not immune to the long-term damages, no matter how much he railed against it, after all.

Maruki furrowed his brow as he listened to Subaru. He couldn’t exactly fault him for his ideals; in fact, Maruki’s own ideology mirrored Subaru’s own a bit too closely for comfort. As long as those around him were happy, then he was fine bearing that burden, even if it hurt. Even if it was killing him.

Wait, was he thinking about himself or Subaru now?

“I’ll say again that you’re very brave for choosing to open up about it. True, I suppose it wouldn’t be easy to actually run away from death itself. But the desire to isn’t a selfish thing.” Maruki tried to offer a reassuring smile. “I don’t think you need to suffer either. It would be nice if no one needed to get hurt...”

Maruki trailed off, a doleful look lingering behind his eyes.

“But there are some bad people in the world. I’m sure you’re well aware of it, unfortunately. Some who don’t care for the value of the lives of others. To have been forced to experience death is a cruel injustice that you don’t deserve.” Thinking more about how Subaru was speaking, he had another question at the forefront of his mind.

“Have you been dealing with this alone? Is there anyone close to you that you could’ve told?”

[dreamerofeden]

Short on Change | Maruki and Shizuku

yaegashiryu​:

“Life has a funny way of doing that,” Shizuku nodded. “It seems like I’ve had my fair share of moments like that lately.” She considered her initial meeting with Naofumi something like that, and her decision to join his clan had already saved her life. And there was the fact that she’d subconsciously deemed that place the only safe space for her during that crepe fiasco. It really was funny how things worked out like that, always unexpected.

Her expression softened, a small smile on her lips. “I’m sure my parents would be happy to hear it.” She certainly liked to hope she was making them proud. Even if she had initially worried about disappointing them..but that was normal, wasn’t it? “Oh, really?” she asked, eyes widening slightly. What a small world. “I suppose it’s not that unusual. The Yaegashi Dojo and Urokodaki-san’s dojo are pretty well known here in the city.”

She paused as he handed her the change and blinked. “Oh..You didn’t have to do that,” she responded, though it was kind of him to return it to her. 

Maybe Shizuku’s words had some merit to them. If so, Maruki hoped that some of that good fortune would continue coming his way. It seemed long overdue, after all, but he never banked on something like that anyway. If he waited too long for some divine miracle, he figured he’d be waiting forever. Fate seemed to mock him more than anything, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

“I’m glad your family’s dojo is here. That particular patient seemed very happy whenever she would tell me about her time there. Going to the dojo was one of her favorite things to do, saying it cleared her mind.”

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t mean to ramble like that...”

Maruki smiled at Shizuku. “No, I insist. It was your money to begin with, after all. You didn’t have an obligation to help me, so you did. This is the very least I could do.” While he was thinking about it, it was getting kind of dark, wasn’t it? The city wasn’t exactly a place Maruki would want to be alone in once the sun went down if he could help it.

“I hear there’s been a spike in crime lately after dark. Would you like me to walk you home? There’s safety in numbers, after all.”

[dreamerofeden]

Beyond Expertise | Maruki and Subaru

questionablehero​:

“Ah… Ummm…”

Subaru’s thoughts scattered at the prompt to speak. Well, it wasn’t like they were very organized to begin with. But this whole therapist thing. He wasn’t sure how it was supposed to work. Or, for that matter, if it would even do any good. Though there had been a compelling urge to scream and yell and talk to someone about what he was going through, and this could be the outlet he needed for that maybe. It wasn’t something he could really just talk to anyone about… The grisly, morbid nature of his affliction made it a topic he didn’t want to broach too openly, as it may just invite torment on other people as well. And that… well…

As long as it was just him suffering, he could deal with it. But if anyone else was going to suffer in addition, he didn’t think that was something he could stomach.

Such thoughts weighed on Subaru’s mind even now as the room descended into silence. His dark, bloodshot eyes wandered restlessly around the room before finally coming to rest on Maruki. He breathed an airy sigh before deciding to just speak to the best of his ability. His conversational skills, needless to say, could only be described as lacking even at the best of times. Still, it wasn’t like he was here to make friends.

“I’ve never been to anything like a therapist before, so I don’t really know how any of this works. For one, I was certain I’d have to make an appointment and come back another day, so it’s not like I was even fully prepared to be sitting here right now. I haven’t really… talked to anyone about this in detail. I mean, there are people who kind of know about it, I guess, due to circumstance. Well, how do I even say this? A while ago, I found out about a Strain ability I have. But it’s nothing cool, I don’t even have any control over it. I just found out the first night it happened…”

He paused here and took a breath to prepare himself for what he was about to say next. Heart thundering in his chest, uncertain how this would affect his future from here on, but desperately hoping for some kind of relief from the endless trauma…

“The truth about it is, this ability is just a curse. It… lets me return by death. I don’t know how many times I’ve died up until now, but no matter how many times it happens, I come back!”

Finally being able to say it out loud to someone brought a rush of emotion flooding in, squeezing his chest, constricting his throat. He choked on his own voice as he spoke, and as his body trembled beneath the weight of his dread, he absentmindedly brought his arms up to his chest, hugging tightly to himself and digging his nails into the skin of his upper arms. His breath shook and quivered and tears began pooling in his eyes before sliding down his face.

“I can’t escape it… No matter how much I try to push past it, it stays with me. I can still feel it. But I can’t… do anything about it. I can’t… I can’t I can’t I can’t I can’t!”

The anxiety was clear in Subaru, but absolutely nothing could have prepared Maruki for the breakdown that ensued once Subaru had finally gotten the words out. The burst of emotion from Subaru was like a spike through Maruki’s own heart. How was he supposed to address something like this? And even worse, how long had Subaru been struggling with this? It was like a dam had broken as Subaru continued, choking him up.

“...” Maruki really wanted to be able to say anything, do anything that could ease Subaru’s pain even a little bit. This would’ve sounded outlandish to anyone else. Dying and coming back? It was something right out of a fantasy novel. But Maruki himself knew that sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. Finally, Maruki gathered his thoughts into words.

“That’s... so much to handle, Natsuki-kun. Especially at your age. No one should have to go through something so awful and be able to remember it like that.” Maruki’s voice was as calm as he could make it, though his heart still ached for Subaru, seeing him in so much distress.

“I think the weight of that would break anyone. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for you to bear this burden on your own.” Maruki wanted to do something, anything to be able to alleviate that pain, even a little...

But how could he?

“It’s okay to seek help. You don’t have to carry that burden all by yourself anymore. It’s okay to want to run away from that.”

[dreamerofeden]

work around writer’s block || maruki & lucy

lumenstella​:

Lucy laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. Of course, when her temper got the better of her, it wasn’t like she was all that aware of her surroundings, but of course, it always resulted in something embarrassing. It was probably some sort of curse, at this point. Still, what on earth had possessed the journal to fly up at exactly that angle and smack her in the face like some sort of karmic payback for throwing it in the first place? 

“Yeah…I’m not sure how to get my protagonist out of her situation without it feeling…contrived?” she responded, folding her hands in her lap, though glaring half heartedly at the offending journal. “But nothing I can come up with right now feels…like the right choice, if that makes sense.” She blinked, realizing she was unloading that on a total stranger and hurriedly brought her hands up.

“Ah, I don’t mean to ramble, or interrupt..” Well, honestly if she was being truthful there was a little more to it than the plot issue. But that was a box she wasn’t ready to open the lid on yet, and perhaps therein lay the problem with why her brain was refusing to work properly. “Well, I guess I already sort of did interrupt you with my outburst..”

Perhaps Maruki was reading too far into it, but the issue that this young lady’s protagonist was facing mirrored situations he knew all too well. Fiction could often be influenced by reality, so maybe if he took some time to talk to her, it might help her resolve her issues.

And Maruki was never the type to just keep going when there was even a chance that he could help someone.

“No, no, you’re fine. I was just taking a walk, and I don’t have anything too pressing at the moment.”

“I’m not much of a writer, but perhaps I can help? Even if you just want to talk to a listening ear, I would be happy to provide one.” He took a seat on the bench near her, leaving some space between them so as not to encroach on her personal space. He was still a stranger, after all. Which reminded him that he should probably introduce himself.

“I’m Takuto Maruki, by the way. Listening is something I like to think I’m pretty good at, if you’re comfortable sharing your ideas with someone else.”

[dreamerofeden]

Short on Change | Maruki and Shizuku

yaegashiryu​:

Shizuku smiled and nodded in response to his thanks. She was glad it had been enough to cover his purchase after all. Once that was taken care of, then it was her turn to pay for her items. At least now, she’d be able to make that dinner she’d had her heart set on. It’d probably seem even more delicious with all the extra work she’d had to do. It’d be more worth it…or something like that.

She paused on her way out, realizing the man from before hadn’t left yet and was walking up to her. “Oh, no, it’s okay,” she responded, shaking her head. “I don’t have anything in particular.” Dinner was one thing, but she’d already waited this long. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt. 

“You don’t have to thank me for that,” she added. “It’s how I was raised. If someone needs the help, step in and help them, simple as that.” Though it seemed that was something he could probably understand, as he mentioned just why he was short on cash. It definitely sounded like something she would have done if she were in that situation. “I’m sure I would have done the same. Our meeting here was probably some sort of karmic payoff for helping that person out.” 

Good deeds really did have a way of returning the favor in one way or another. But it wasn’t something she put too much stock in or pressure on. Putting too much faith in an idea like that, and then it became moreso doing good deeds just to get something in return, and that certainly wasn’t the kind of person she was.

“Shizuku,” she continued with a smile, “Yaegashi Shizuku. My family owns a dojo here in the city, teaching a style of swordplay that’s been in our family for generations.”

Maruki had to admit he was relieved that he wasn’t inconveniencing her. Or at least, not any more than he already had. He laughed a little at the idea of this interaction being more of a karmic event, especially since something like karma didn’t seem to have a few good idea of what to do with Maruki specifically. “I can’t say for sure if this was a more divine event, but I can very confidently say this was definitely fortuitous.”

“You’ve been raised well, Shizuku-san.” The mention of the dojo did ring a bell for him, but not because he had actually ever been. “Oh, I think I’ve heard of that dojo. One of my patients may have been a pupil there. Ah! Before I forget...” He held the change he had received out to return them to her. He didn’t need any more money for this excursion, and it was her money to begin with. “This was the change from the purchase. Seriously, thank you.”

[ghostbri]

the beginning of my takuto maruki shrine

[dreamerofeden]

Starless Sky | Maruki and Naofumi

shieldprison​:

Naofumi’s eyes narrowed, his shoulders tensing as he walked onward, a plastic bag held tightly in one hand with tonights dinner in it. This wasn’t a good area so who could blame him for being on edge whenever he approached someone? Especially now that there had been far too many visitors lately that had triggered him in one way or another. The closer he got, the more details he could make out on the other person, and Naofumi immediately knew without being told this man was definitely not in the right place. This was further solidified by what he said as he was called out to. 

Naofumi sighed, his apprehension melting away once he realized that the man before him posed no threat. But still, what was with all these weirdo’s getting lost in this area? Was there a neon sign posted somewhere that just invited them all in? He was pretty sure this place was notoriously bad and even without it’s awful reputation it still gave off a feeling of foreboding to anyone that got near to it. 

“There’s a convenience store a few blocks from here. Go ask them.” He was as prickly as ever, not wanting to get involved with anyone. Even now, he was surprised at being approached given that he also gave of an unapproachable vibe. What’s more was that as usual, his green hood was drawn up over his head, completely obscuring his appearance from view, at least from the eyes up. With that said, Naofumi completely brushed past him without a second thought and continued forward. 

However, there was an unsettling thought that gave rise to a new concern. What if he never made it to the convenience store? Just as he said, this place wasn’t good. Honestly, some unsavory folk could jump out at anytime between now and there and this man was as good as a goner. Could he really have that on his conscious? It’s not as though he really cared one way or another about this complete stranger, but.. The last time some weirdo got lost here it had ended up horribly.. In fact, even now it plagued his nightmares. 

For the sake of just one less night without revisiting someone’s mangled corpse in his sleep, Naofumi stopped. He let out a very loud, heavy sigh and then turned around. “Wait, don’t..” Another sigh as he readjusted the bag he was carrying and then walked forward towards the man, then just kept going past him. “Follow me.” he muttered, although loud enough for him to still be heard as he led the way back from where he’d just come from. 

Maruki was relieved that the man he had caught the attention of didn’t seem interested in hurting him or anything like that. That relief was met with a bit of disappointment, however, as the man was clearly not interested in helping him whatsoever either. 

“Ah...” He wasn’t entirely sure how to respond. Would apologizing for the trouble just make the already irritated man more upset? Before he could think about it too much, he heard a sigh and the man doubled back around, brushing past Maruki yet again.

“Thank you so much!” Maruki said, walking quickly to catch up with the hooded man. He tried to keep up with the stranger’s stride, not wanting to trouble the man any more than he already had. Still, the darkness and quiet of the area was vaguely unsettling... so maybe he could have some idle conversation, just to keep his anxiety from running rampant if nothing else.

“Do you live in this area, sir?”

[dreamerofeden]

Beyond Expertise | Maruki and Subaru

questionablehero​:

Hesitation dragging each and every footstep, impeding his movements and thoughts as uncertainty swirled like a raging storm within him, Subaru nevertheless pressed onwards. Towards the door of the doctor he’d reluctantly come to visit. In truth, he had doubts that anything like a therapist could fully grasp his situation, much less help him in any meaningful way.

But it wasn’t like he was here because he had any other choice.

The reality of the situation was… his current situation had spiralled beyond his control. Haunted by the kinds of grim and grisly nightmares that could shatter someone’s psyche, that drew upon the very real experiences he’d had that had been carved so horrifically into his soul… Plagued by the inescapable memories that had been painstakingly seared into his flesh and bone, that could still cause his blood pressure and heart rate to surge into overdrive at the tiniest hint of a reminder…

Put simply, he felt like an animal, hounded and assaulted relentlessly into the dingy corner of a thorny cage, starved of the memory of what it meant to be ‘safe’. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Some real, some imagined from the vestiges that the real experiences had left within him. All of it was gnawing away at his sanity.

It was this trapped feeling that brought him here.

Upon receiving the invitation to enter, Subaru quickly brought both hands to slap the sides of his face, drawing his mind back to reality before opening the door and stepping in. Though he offered a friendly smile in greeting, there was no hiding his haggard appearance, beset upon him by too many sleepless nights spent thrashing about.

“I’m Subaru… Subaru Natsuki.” Going with this simple introduction, he stepped further into the room and lowered himself into one of the chairs. “They said to just knock, so I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Natsuki-kun,” Maruki responded as Subaru stepped into the office and sat down. Subaru seemed open enough, given his smile as he greeted Maruki. Still, Subaru seemed incredibly young, so the shadows beneath his eyes betrayed his age, showing signs of an underlying tiredness that Maruki hated to see on anyone. Had he been sleeping at all? Perhaps that’s what brought Subaru to see him in the first place.

“Don’t worry, you weren’t interrupting. I take walk-ins as well as appointments so I keep my schedule as flexible during office hours as possible. That sort of carefree attitude drives some of my more rigid receptionists mad, I’m sure. They’re blessings for putting up with me and my... scattered tendencies.” Maruki took a seat in the chair that was off to the side facing the rest of the furniture.

“I like to use the first consultation to get to know those who seek my help. Tell me a little about yourself, Natsuki-kun. About what brings you in today, about your family, your hobbies, whatever you wish to talk about. If you just want to ask me questions, that’s fine too.”

[dreamerofeden]

Short on Change | Maruki and Shizuku

yaegashiryu​:

There was nothing more frustrating than making plans to cook a certain dish for dinner but finding out you didn’t have most of the ingredients necessary. That was why Shizuku had to make a last minute trip to the store. Of course, she could have just made something else, but she’d already gotten her hopes up for that particular dish.

So she’d gathered up the necessary ingredients and finally made her way into the line. There were a few people ahead of her and it moved reasonably fast, at least until it got to the person in front of her. She blinked, watching him fumble, trying to dig out what he was missing. It seemed he came up empty-handed though. She sort of felt bad for him. It really seemed like he was at a loss. 

Shifting her basket to her other hand, Shizuku fished around in her bag for a moment before her fingers finally grasped a few coins. Double checking to make sure it was enough, she squinted. Well, it was just a little over, but it wasn’t much. 

Carefully, she tapped the man on the shoulder. “Here, this should cover it,” she offered, smiling slightly. 

Maruki felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned to face a young dark-haired woman offering him the change she had, and the change that he was missing. “Oh! Thank you so much!” He bowed his head politely at her before finishing the transaction that he had started. He said another apology to the cashier before stepping out of the way to let the kind lady proceed with her purchase.

Of course, the cashier had given him a few coins back, meaning the young lady had given him a bit too much. He had to return those, of course, so he stood to the side and waited for her to finish before walking back up to her.

“I hope I’m not holding you up from anything, but I wanted to thank you again for helping me back there. I had given some of my money to someone who needed it for a bus ticket home, since they had lost their bus pass, and neglected to take that into account.” Maruki hoped he could repay this young lady’s kindness. 

“May I ask your name?” Shizume City was large, but perhaps their paths would meet again. The world had a funny way of handling things both good and bad.

[dreamerofeden]

Mandated Visit | Maruki and Minato

soulphrxse​:

It was his physician who decided that he’d have to finally see a counselor. In the past it had been more of a gentle, and then more aggressive suggestion, but it seemed that today he had no choice. Without outside motivation, there was no way he would’ve be willing to go in, so a mandated visit was likely good for him. Even knowing this, he went in clinging onto the knowledge that he really only had to go the first time.

Entering the office, Minato took note of his surroundings as well as the counselor’s appearance before taking a seat on the couch and hoping he didn’t manage to pass out as he was being spoken to. The counselor had a kind, yet somewhat…awkward aura around him that Minato couldn’t help but feel like he’d see in full force.

The doctor introduced himself as Takuto Maruki and seemed to want to welcome him warmly. It was really a shame that Minato had no interest in being here. “…Fine,” was the only response he could muster, figuring saying nothing more than ‘alive’ would have not gone over so well with the man. 

His hands were pressed firmly into his pockets while Minato displayed his poor posture, hunched over only a moment after sitting down. His bored expression was enough to emphasize how much he wished to be somewhere else.

The curt response that Minato gave told Maruki a lot about his personality right off the bat. Additionally, given his hospital record, Maruki figured this was going to be a bit more difficult than usual. He did have his strain ability, but it was very capricious and only seemed to activate in extreme cases. Would this be one of those times? He sincerely hoped not. He would just have to break through the walls Minato had, but just from his one word answer, those walls seemed reinforced with the strongest steel in existence.

“I know you probably don’t want to be here right now, Arisato-kun. Given the circumstances, you will most likely be required to see me or a different counselor a few more times as required by your physician.” He leaned back in his chair a little bit, placing his hands in his lap.

“Since this is your first visit, let’s get to know each other a little bit. You’re free to ask me any questions you come up with during our questions, of course. Let’s start out easy: what do you usually do in your free time, Arisato-kun?”

[dreamerofeden]

Art Appreciation | Maruki and Yusuke

goemoned​:

“Ah, you have a good eye indeed.” Yusuke gave a small smile as he walked up from behind the brown haired man and then came to stand beside him. “That is one of my Sensei’s works. It is quite an old piece but I feel it still remains relevant to this day, even though this exhibit aims to highlight more of his recent works.” Yusuke accompanied his Sensei to almost every single on of his exhibits, and he couldn’t help but swell with pride whenever someone took an interest in one of the older works. Especially since this was one of the pieces Sensei had created himself… Or so he claimed. These days it was a much different story. 

Thinking on that now wouldn’t do him much good as it distorted his expression from one of pride to contempt, but it was a fleeting moment as he quickly shook his head. Whatever unsightly expression he was making wasn’t appropriate to the conversation. Once more Yusuke’s expression softened and he wore that practiced smile again with ease. “All of Madarame’s works are good but perhaps you could get a much better impression of him by perusing his older works? The Sayuri in particular is the most alluring one.”

There he went again going on and on about his great Sensei, Ichiryusai Madarame. It wasn’t often he got to sing his praises but right now it was mainly a distraction to take this stranger’s attention away from the newer works to the older ones. After all, those ones were just… no good. It wasn’t even for the fact that for the most part that they were his but also that none of them could compare to the painting in question.. Madarame’s greatest work. 

“Oh, my apologies. Sometimes I get a little carried away and forget myself.. I should not have assumed that you were unfamiliar with his work. I remember seeing you wandering aimlessly and took the liberty to provide you with better direction. If there is anything you wish to know I am more than happy to provide assistance.” For all Yusuke knew maybe this man was just looking for the restroom. 

Maruki hadn’t exactly expected someone to approach him, since he didn’t think he stood out all that much, but he didn’t mind too much. He always welcomed new perspectives, and perhaps this young man had an interpretation to the art that Maruki hadn’t considered.

Maruki listened to the blue-haired youth attentively. “Ah, your sensei painted this? It’s very eye-catching. A beautiful piece. Admittedly, I don’t look at art too much...” As the young man spoke, the brief grimace that passed his features didn’t escape Maruki’s notice, and the man’s attempt to cover that slip in expression only served to concern Maruki. Similarly, Maruki tried not to let it show too heavily on his face and continued wearing a smile.

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize. It’s quite relieving to see someone your age being so passionate about the arts, although I suppose you’re an artist yourself if Madarame is your sensei.” The name Madarame rang a bell for Maruki, but not for any good reasons. Coupled with the sour expression he saw earlier, a red flag was raising, but Maruki didn’t have to stick his nose into this young man’s business. At least, that’s what he was telling himself to try in vain to quash the worry he felt for this young man. Was he okay being Madarame’s pupil...?

He tried not to let it show on his face.

“I’ve heard of the Sayuri once, I believe. It had something to do with Madarame-san finding fame, right? I’d love to see it in person if I can, especially since someone with as strong ties to art as yourself recommended it.”

[calmingflow]

Therapy || Tanjiro and Maruki

Tanjiro wasn’t above seeking help. Of course he wasn’t. Everyone needs a hand every now and then; that’s just what it means to be human. 

That didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous.

It had occurred to Tanjiro recently that maybe he didn’t have the proper skills to help Nezuko. Maybe he needed some advice from a professional. Which brought him outside the office of one Takuto Maruki. The man was a counselor. A professional. He should be able to help Tanjiro help Nezuko. But still, Tanjiro couldn’t help the lingering doubt in his mind. What if this didn’t work? What if there was nothing more Tanjiro could do?

No. He couldn’t think like that. He would do everything he could and then more. He couldn’t give up, no matter what. 

Taking a breath, Tanjiro opened the door.

[dreamerofeden]

Maruki tapped his pen against the paper on his desk. Between appointments and walk-ins, he tried to work a little more on his research into the effects of someone’s cognition on their heart. A very abstract topic, to be sure, but it was something he had poured many of his adult years into, and he had no intentions of stopping now.

Being so caught up in his study, he almost completely missed the sound of his office door swinging open. He looked up to see a young boy with dark hair and a mark on his forehead stepping in. He seemed... nervous. Apprehensive. So Maruki gave him a soft smile as he greeted the boy.

“Welcome to my office! Please, make yourself at home.” Maruki moved from his desk to sit in the single chair facing the rest of the furniture, a couch and another chair. “My name is Doctor Takuto Maruki, but you’re free to call me whatever feels most comfortable to you. What’s your name?”

[lumenstella]

work around writer’s block || maruki & lucy

@dreamerofeden​

Her pen flowed across the page of the journal she was writing in, only stopping a few times as she tried to think of the right word she needed. One might have thought it was a diary, or maybe homework, but the blonde was actually hard at work trying to write her own adventure novel. Books had been her escape growing up, and she’d always been fascinated by the idea of writing her own, being able to help someone else in the same way her favorite authors did for her. However, it was certainly a lot harder than it seemed, and she often found herself getting stuck or despising everything she’d written.

Which was, in actuality, the current situation for the girl sitting in the park. She’d often start out in a groove, but then the more she wrote, the more she wondered if it was really the right way to take the scene, if she was really developing her characters the way they should be–properly and believable. It also didn’t help she was far too embarrassed by her own writing to let anyone else read the things she’d written. But right now, she was stuck on where to take the current scene, to resolve the issue her protagonist was currently facing and how she was going to get her heroine out of it. 

“Agh, jeez!” she grumbled, flinging the journal down at the ground…only for it to somehow, miraculously, hit at just the right angle so that it flew back up and smacked her in the face before falling right into her lap once more. Trembling, she pressed her hand to the stinging skin. 

“Why didn’t anyone tell me writing a book was going to be so hard!” she cried, shaking her fist at the sky in her frustration.

But she froze a moment later, realizing she was no longer alone, and the poor bystander had witnessed every moment of her outburst. “Ah…..um…….p-pretend you didn’t see that…?” That was probably hoping for too much though, huh? Add publicly embarrassing herself to the list of things that had gone wrong with today.

[dreamerofeden]

While Maruki was the type to be something of a workaholic in his line of profession, even he had to take a break during the day from time to time. Being in his office all day, for as comfortable as he made it (for his patients’ sake, mostly), wasn’t exactly ideal. He had to stretch his legs, get some air, get some sun. The park was a good spot to do just that, so why not?

It was his lunch break, too, so he could use the excuse of going to grab some food to pass through the park on the way to the store. It felt less like he was slacking if he justified it like that. And so the counselor took his little detour, even though it would cost him precious minutes of his lunch break. Oh well. He didn’t have any actual appointments today and people didn’t often walk in right after lunch.

A young blonde sitting on a bench didn’t initially capture his attention; what did catch his eye was the journal thrown in a rage. And, as though it was Maruki himself doing the action, the journal bounced back and hit the girl in the face before falling back into place. Maruki could empathize with that little stroke of misfortune, and then he understood the girl’s source of anger from her following cry of frustration.

“Oh, my apologies!” Maruki said when she addressed him. “I didn’t mean to stare. It seems as though you’re having a little bit of trouble, though... I know hitting dead ends can be rather frustrating, after all.”

[dreamerofeden]

🍍

🍍  :    how comfortable is my muse in their body?  how do they feel about their height,  weight,  strength,  and body type?  how important is being attractive to them?

Maruki is relatively comfortable in his own skin. He's of average height and build, and he's out of shape due to lack of exercise, but he's healthy, so he's not concerned. As for looking attractive, it's not imperative to him; he's been out of the dating scene for years and doesn't intend to return any time soon. Of course, he wants to keep himself presentable since it's part of being a professional that deals with people as part of his job.

[dreamerofeden]

🍉🍒

🍉  :    which of the four seasons suits my muse best,  and why?

Probably spring. Spring is the time of new life, when things are coming into bloom, when color returns to the world. A very pretty and idyllic season.

Or at least, that’s what it would appear like. If you get to know him, he’s more like winter, but only in regards to himself. Dark times, frozen in place.

🍒  :    how much does my muse value companionship?  do they constantly keep people around them,  or do they prefer to be alone often?  do they have or desire to have many friends?  do they see every meeting as an opportunity to make a new friend?  

Maruki greatly values companionship. Anyone who can put up with him outside of a professional setting is definitely someone Maruki considers important to him. Regardless, Maruki doesn’t really have that many friends. It’s not for any reason like he sees himself above having friends or anything of the like; he’s simply too involved in his research.

Most of his meetings are with his patients, who he keeps a friendly rapport with, but it’s mostly professional. He isn’t opposed to any of his patients wanting to be considered friends, or considering him a friend, so in a way, every meeting could potentially lead to someone being a new friend of his.

[dreamerofeden]

🥝 🍇

🥝  :    does my muse have any  ‘  unusual  ’  habits,  interests,  and  /  or talents?  do they hide it,  or are they proud of it?  

Maruki doesn’t necessarily have anything unusual, given his field of work. During his time as a student, he was so involved in his work that it seemed like he didn’t have any interests or habits outside of his cognitive research. His level of dedicaiton might’ve seemed strange to anyone who knew him, though. In his own words, he was in love with his work.

🍇  :    how would my muse describe their childhood?  how much has it impacted the person they are now,  or will become as an adult?  around what age did they or will they start to mature,  and why?  do they wish to go back to their days as a child,  or have they embraced adulthood?  

Maruki would say that his childhood wasn’t anything extraordinary. There were no instances of abuse, nor was he incredibly privileged. However, he’s always been compassionate, ever since he was young. He would help animals in need, classmates, any random person who needed assistance. He started to mature in his later years of high school when he began to figure out what he wanted to do in his adulthood.

Maruki, overall, has embraced his adulthood. The only thing he misses about childhood is the innocence that comes with it.