chokuto

You don't need to be so formal.

[Given you cracked open his most desperate wants for the future like an egg.]

I was the one who agreed, wasn't I? So I am as much responsible.

When you say 'the right choices' — what exactly do you mean? If you leave it like that, you have to know that it would only encourage a person to second guess every decision they make, potentially for the rest of their lives, trying to ensure the future they want. It could drive them to the brink of insanity.

[Thankfully, he has a therapist.]

Edited 2024-08-25 03:27 (UTC)

It is the only way I know how to be.

I do understand, of course. More than one person has tried to kill me for doing what I did to you that evening, and not without good reason. My foresight is my burden, and it is unforgiveable that I forced you to shoulder it.

It would be impossible for me to outline every choice that will face you between now and then. I can only give you the broad strokes. For the most part, your heart will guide you correctly. When you are given an opportunity to find the seat of the gods, refuse it, and the rest of the road will be easier.

Would it help if I promise to send you a message if I see something in your future that will greatly change its course?

Being so formal when you already know as much about me as you do doesn't make sense.

If I didn't want to hear it, I would have turned you away. [Caring too much is his own burden.] But I can see why it would make you a threat.

Can I ask that you keep what you've learned about him a secret?

[He means Cy, but Keita should understand that. His potential futures aside — Keita knowing that Cy is a god is not his own truth to share.]

But no, it's fine. I'd rather not know. I already decided which one I'll pursue. The rest doesn't matter.

Doesn't it? I'm little better than a stranger to you. I remember a future in which we are something not unlike friends, but it is a future and not the present.

Of course, it will remain a secret. I have no intention of letting such... temporary insanity grip me again.

Very well. Please let me know at any time if you change your mind on the subject. The offer will stand, regardless.

Is this how you suggest getting to know someone who is a stranger? That you've seen us in a future as friends?

"A" future. How do you make your decisions with so many possibilities ahead?

No. I apologize. I will not mention it again.

When I was young, I would spend hours sorting through my memories to pick out the threads of possible futures. It comes as second nature to me now in my old age, to be able to understand the turning points that lead to certain outcomes... but it is noisy, all the time, and not without its pitfalls.

[It's such a straightforward, genuine answer that Sasuke feels a little bad for his sharpness — but he can't help the way he talks sometimes. He's a work in progress, okay.]

Old age... How old are you, exactly? You didn't look so infirm in person.

Are you able to block it out at times, or do you have no control?

I turned forty in June, insofar as birthdays count for much in this place.

[ Also, as far as Keita knows, he's already dead, which adds another layer of complication to the birthday topic. Is he really aging, or is he just going to be 39 forever? Even if he were still alive, he would probably only have 25 years or so left. ]

I have no control over it... The futures exist for me as memories. The near future is much easier to remember, while the distant future is often more opaque, which is why I was only able to provide you with broad strokes. Much as an ordinary person is not constantly consumed by remembrance, I too am not constantly in the throes of memory, although they do occasionally arise unbidden.

[Not the oldest person he has met in the resort, but no one will easily top ten thousand. Unfortunately, Sasuke is culturally rude and not deferent to his elders. 😔 No Keita-san or Mori-san to be seen.]

Hm. That's interesting.

Have you ever had someone look inside of your head? Or perhaps you've never met anyone with that ability. I'm capable of it. It's invasive, though, so I'm not suggesting to try it. But if a person like you existed in my own world, that would be a constant threat.

[ Sigh. It's fine! Nobody calls him Mori-san anyway, everyone is all about first names here. How intimate and strange. ]

I've never met anyone with abilities like mine, nor like those you describe, although I'm told my mother had similar skills and it's quite likely that my sire did as well.

[ He can't refer to the kitsune that impregnated his mother as "my father," not really. ]

I would worry for someone who tried to look deeply into my mind; I imagine it would be quite maddening to someone not used the experience.

Maddening? Because of how many different futures there are? Would they see anything specific to themselves, or does it depend on what you're thinking about at the time?

[Are you tired of the interrogation yet... look, he's just interested.]

[ Honestly, Keita figures that the least he can do is answer Sasuke's questions. ]

Yes. I suppose it depends on how the power works. If you are only able to read my thoughts, then it would require me to remember something specific in order for it to be seen; if you are able to access my entire mind without limitation, then you could find whatever you wanted, among the billions of possible futures that exist in my memories.

Hm.

[Don't ask me to be logical about how Sasuke just randomly appears in Naruto's headspace and they never mention it again. How does it work? We don't know.]

Don't worry. I don't intend on using the ability on you without your permission. I only wanted to understand the nature of how your precognition worked.

I wish I had clearer answers for you, but I've always found it difficult to explain. It's just the way my mind works. More magical than logical, I should expect.

In any case, you don't need to apologize for using your ability on me when I asked.

Just don't do it again unless the circumstances are out of your control.

I certainly don't intend to. It was... an unusual time for me, but not one I hope to repeat.

[ The way he has to bite back the urge to apologize again even though Sasuke literally just said don't. ]

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