You haven't? Hm. I was thinking about putting together a more comfortable wardrobe for myself, now that travel to Tokyo has been made easier. Perhaps I'll give some thought to what would suit you as well.
[ you know what? he'll take the blame for that one. he absolutely doesn't mind being the person at the end of the finger taking responsibility for something that's not entirely his fault.
true to his word, he comes back a few moments later, kicking off his shoes at the door. ]
[ there's no one waiting at the front door for him, but Tomoe has undoubtedly been listening for his arrival, because he wanders in from the kitchen as soon as the door opens. he already has a bottle of sake and two glasses in his hands. ]
Welcome home. If I'd known sooner that you'd be back, I would have prepared something to eat.
[ he says it with a flippant disregard, but there's some displeasure in his expression. he's so accustomed to playing the part of the perfect host, and he doesn't like being caught off-guard by last minute plans — even petty ones like this. ]
Ren's not much of a drinker, despite working in several bars and being friend with a lush of a reporter. a "drink" to him usually meant a frilly, extravagant soda—and usually when he was out with friends. while he enjoys it, but he's more of a simple pleasures sort of person. but this was about making Tomoe comfortable, so he's prepared to go with the flow. being underage for these things never stopped him before. ]
I brought something.
[ as in, he figured. so, here's something to make up for it. it's a little take-out box.
this is where his skill for confidant gifts come in. ]
[ Tomoe's ears swivel forward and his tail curls up high: curious, despite himself. the sake had been his idea, when Ren had simply wanted to discuss something, and so he hadn't expected any sort of courtesy gift. really, drinking was only intended to be his own selfish indulgence. Ren is treating it like a proper social gathering. ]
[ he treats his people right, Tomoe. it's his duty as a protagonist. ]
Sesame pudding.
[ no dairy, of course, but there is a berries on the top of it. the little containers inside are fairly small, a few bites at the most, but that's all that's needed. if it's something he's learned from working at a bar, it's that you don't drink on an empty stomach.
after that he heads in through the kitchen and to the couch by the window. ]
That will do. [ he says, as if his tail isn't wagging.
Tomoe follows, and he settles on the couch, relaxed but not yet lounging. while he agreed to this easily enough, there's wariness lurking in the back of his mind. Ren is an ally; not as trusted as his master, not as utterly unimportant as everyone else he's ever known. it isn't necessary to serve him as submissively as he would a visitor to the shrine, but nor can Tomoe entirely disregard him. he's still figuring this dynamic out, one that doesn't revolve around his master. ]
I'll pour for you. [ he holds out one of the empty glasses for Ren to take, and then he seems to pause, considering. after a beat: ] Not that I'll get drunk that quickly, but is this a conversation that requires me to be particularly sober?
[ the submissiveness is something that has a tendency to cause some discomfort in him—there's always a reason why, and in his experience, it's never amounted to anything good. ]
Thanks.
[ the motions are easy to go through, while he's not as distinguished as Akechi, he's certainly not a slouch in being polite. ]
It's about our deal. To help you I need to understand.
[ to understand. it's to be one of those conversations, then; attempting to find some way to reach across a gap that Tomoe doesn't believe can ever be bridged, nor should it be. but in the interest of their alliance, Tomoe does owe Ren this much. he can at least attempt whatever simple explanation is required. ]
Somewhat sober, then. [ he pours Ren's drink and fills only the bottom of the glass, aiming for something roughly equivalent to the volume of an ochoko. he pours the same amount for himself, but doesn't put the bottle down. ] Drink, and then you may ask whatever you need to.
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I though we could hang out. There's something I've been meaning to ask.
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Yeah, sure.
You don't mean water, right?
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You could have at least said tea and I might have made you some.
No. We're having sake.
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But yeah, if you insist.
[ because he's underage but whatever. he's done more than most adults. ]
Sake it is.
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Don't say that until your third glass.
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I'll buy us a tokkuri and set of sakazuki in celebration of your growth.
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I was thinking about putting together a more comfortable wardrobe for myself, now that travel to Tokyo has been made easier.
Perhaps I'll give some thought to what would suit you as well.
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Sure. Next time we'll get dressed up for sake.
1/2
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Ugh. It's because I'm stuck in this place that having the two of you around makes me sentimental for home.
If you want to talk, I'll wait at the apartment.
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We should go, anyway. It's nice to find some familiarity here sometimes.
I'll be back soon.
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[ now it's Ren's fault instead of his own homesickness. foolproof. ]
I shall see you shortly.
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true to his word, he comes back a few moments later, kicking off his shoes at the door. ]
Tomoe.
[ a soft, quiet call as greeting. ]
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Welcome home. If I'd known sooner that you'd be back, I would have prepared something to eat.
[ he says it with a flippant disregard, but there's some displeasure in his expression. he's so accustomed to playing the part of the perfect host, and he doesn't like being caught off-guard by last minute plans — even petty ones like this. ]
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Ren's not much of a drinker, despite working in several bars and being friend with a lush of a reporter. a "drink" to him usually meant a frilly, extravagant soda—and usually when he was out with friends. while he enjoys it, but he's more of a simple pleasures sort of person. but this was about making Tomoe comfortable, so he's prepared to go with the flow. being underage for these things never stopped him before. ]
I brought something.
[ as in, he figured. so, here's something to make up for it. it's a little take-out box.
this is where his skill for confidant gifts come in. ]
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"Something." [ his tail twitches. ] Sweets?
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Sesame pudding.
[ no dairy, of course, but there is a berries on the top of it. the little containers inside are fairly small, a few bites at the most, but that's all that's needed. if it's something he's learned from working at a bar, it's that you don't drink on an empty stomach.
after that he heads in through the kitchen and to the couch by the window. ]
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Tomoe follows, and he settles on the couch, relaxed but not yet lounging. while he agreed to this easily enough, there's wariness lurking in the back of his mind. Ren is an ally; not as trusted as his master, not as utterly unimportant as everyone else he's ever known. it isn't necessary to serve him as submissively as he would a visitor to the shrine, but nor can Tomoe entirely disregard him. he's still figuring this dynamic out, one that doesn't revolve around his master. ]
I'll pour for you. [ he holds out one of the empty glasses for Ren to take, and then he seems to pause, considering. after a beat: ] Not that I'll get drunk that quickly, but is this a conversation that requires me to be particularly sober?
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Thanks.
[ the motions are easy to go through, while he's not as distinguished as Akechi, he's certainly not a slouch in being polite. ]
It's about our deal. To help you I need to understand.
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Somewhat sober, then. [ he pours Ren's drink and fills only the bottom of the glass, aiming for something roughly equivalent to the volume of an ochoko. he pours the same amount for himself, but doesn't put the bottle down. ] Drink, and then you may ask whatever you need to.
[ Tomoe is already draining his glass. ]
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