#next thing you know they're playing monopoly and dazai's too busy landing on the income tax space every second round

[gemkun]

      ⸻       mm   ,   some   give   and   take   ,   hm   ?   it’s   not   a   large   request   in   the   slightest   ,   if   anything   it   would   be   only   fair   for   dazai   to   offer   a   piece   of   information   equal   to   the   relinquished   secret.   but   that   all   rests   on   the   beholder   and   what   he   might   perceive   as   significant.

  unfortunately   ,   his   ability   does   not   extend   to   providing   poe   with   ranpo   —   san’s   approval.   even   with   certainty   that   the   supply   of   this   rarity   would   unlock   even   pandora’s   box   if   the   sleuth   were   to   possess   the   cursed   trinket.

  ❝   interesting.   very   interesting.   ❞   luckily   ,   this   isn’t   a   bargain   with   the   devil   (   though   many   some   would   beg   to   differ   )   ,   and   despite   raising   the   stakes   ,   they   aren’t   fatalistic.   in   fact   ,   this   could   be   viewed   as   an   unconventional   approach   to   conversation.   for   what   exchanges   are   memorable   if   there   is   no   challenge   or   setback   to   overcome.   ❝   shall   we   play   a   game   then   ?   ❞   legs   kick   idly   once   more   ,   with   the   prospect   of   a   rare   stroke   of   amusement.

  but   what   ?   oh   ,   there   were   so   many   to   choose   from   !   two   heads   were   better   than   one   though   ,   and   wouldn’t   it   be   only   right   to   extend   an   invitation   for   the   novelist   to   join   in   on   the   selection   process   ?   ❝   it   would   be   so   boring   of   us   to   engage   in   the   standard   routine   of   trading   one   secret   for   another.   i'm   already   shuddering   at   the   idea   !   which   is   why   a   game   would   be   perfect   for   our   great   minds   ,   no   ?   but   what   to   play   .   .   .   what   to   play   .   .   .   ❞   humming   ,   his   thought   process   reverberates   in   the   secluded   space   belonging   to   the   investigator.

  rolling   ,   tresses   spring   as   his   head   sweeps   over   his   shoulder   ,   creasing   bandages.   ❝   do   you   have   any   ideas   ?   ❞

A faint glow of pride washes over Edgar upon hearing his applauding remark. It is but a confirmation of what he's known all along, of course--but to hear others speak positively of his genius never hurts. Yet still, he understands in the context of Dazai, it is in service of something. A rope, tied thickly around his waist to yank his frame into murky depths.

"I am the protector, hm?" He cannot help the amusement in his tone as he considers this, expression twisted in ironic mirth. Oh, how he knows the horrible truths of this world, how they're enough to leave the common man aghast should he dwell on them for too long. "I suppose in a sense, that is true. I hold many realizations about the world that I keep locked away in my chest..."

But to recite them to you would be a moot point, is what goes unsaid. Edgar is his own torrent, able to recognize another when he sees it: two cyclones in a stormy sea, dancing around their common center. A perfect Fujiwhara effect.

A noncommital hum is what he offers in return, leaning back to cross one leg over the other. Once more, the questions cut at his flesh; once more, he resists. "Perhaps. Far be it from me to offer the most intimate corners of my mind to someone so eagerly attempting to dig in without offering recompense."