idealism | Fuda # 15 | [House 49 - action/voice] Backdated to before Link and Sheik got drafted, I guess.

[Link, for his part, is sitting on the stairs - mostly out of sight, just watching events unfolding.]

It's okay, I'll go... [But it's barely audible, even as it is.]

((OOC: Feel free to ignore Link, just putting him in the scene. Of course, if you want to have him involved, that works fine too :) ))

[He turn to Link, wings fluttering with agitation.] Not right before Christmas! Where would you go, anyway?

One of the community houses near here, I guess... I want to stay close to Epona. And that way you can visit me, right?

[Yeah, he's... trying to stay relatively optimistic about this. It won't be so bad, will it? He'll still be near Epona's stable and near his favourite part of the forest, and if Sheik and Duo ever change their minds, he can come back easily.]

Link, please stay. [Tsuzuki steps closer, looking both guilty and hopeful.] What if you take Hisoka's room? That's not close to Duo's.

They'd still see me a lot here... it's probably better.

[A sigh escapes his lips - what a mess this is. He doesn't want to leave, but if Sheik and Duo don't want him here...]

Besides, it might just be for a little while.

But it won't be the same here without you. [Tsuzuki carefully wraps his arms around Link, giving him a warm hug.] Stay.

And besides, Sheik will absolutely hate himself when he remembers you again. Especially if we let you leave like this.

[Hugs are good. He's fine with that.]

It's a death penalty, isn't it? I thought they stay forever. [He sighs heavily, head dropping to Tsuzuki's shoulder.] This way, we can start becoming friends again... maybe he'll invite me back. But right now, he and Duo are really angry at me, so maybe I should go until they're not.

[Sometimes hugs say more than words can.] It has to be. Why else would Sheik do that?

[He reaches up to pet Link's hair.] Link, I think it's best if you don't leave. They're angry now, but sooner or later they'll realize it's not you they're mad at.

But I'm just making them madder if I stay...

[He twists away from the hug a little to look up at Tsuzuki properly.] How about I just go for a little while, so they're not mad at me? And maybe you can try to talk to them or something.

You won't. Besides, we both know that running away isn't a good way to solve problems.

[He smiles crookedly down at the little hero, although he doesn't let him go.] I'll talk with them, but only if you stay. I want to spend christmas with you.

[He has one person willing to fight for him. That's a major relief just on its own.]

Okay. Thanks. [And have a crooked smile back.] Even if they do kick me out, I promise I'll spend Christmas with you. That's the winter holiday, right?

They won't kick you out. They're your friends.

[He reluctantly lets him go, ruffling Link's hair. It's a habit that he got from spending time with Hisoka, and he can't shake it.]

Yes, it is! Do we have a calendar? I could show you which date it's celebrated.

[Not at the moment, he thinks, but he's not going to articulate that. Ducking at the hair-ruffles (this is what he gets for not wearing his hat!), Link gives Tsuzuki a mildly put-out look, then grins faintly again.]

I think there's one in the kitchen.

[It's as good a distraction as any. Tsuzuki's amused by Link's reaction to the hair ruffling, but he's not surprised.]

Let's see if we can find it. I think there's a new year's celebration right afterward.

Okay. Ours is sort of the same, in the forest... we do a thing for midwinter, then there's new year. It's kind of fun... we have a big bonfire.

That really sounds lovely! Do you dance around the bonfire?

I wish Japan did something like that during the winter months. Christmas is mostly a couples-holiday where I'm from, then there's parties until january.

Sometimes. People play music, too - Saria usually plays her ocarina. And people tell stories and there's songs. And lots of food!

[Forest food, admittedly, but it seemed like a feast to him when he was younger.]

It sounds like a celebration that makes you feel alive. What kind of stories do they tell? And what kind of food is there?

Yeah, it's nice... stories about the forest, mostly. Sometimes about things that you could find in the Lost Woods... they made up stories about what it was like outside the forest. [He pauses thoughtfully.] Most weren't really right, though... and the food wasn't very varied. Lots of fruits and nuts and berries, and stuff with wild honey.

[Well, consider him nice and distracted, now.]

So what did they think things were like outside the forest?

Wild honey and berries is delicious. Do you think they have honey here? I know there's beehives near Luceti, at least.

They weren't really sure... some thought that there wasn't an outside of the forest, and that it just went on forever and ever. And others thought it'd just be dark - like when you're under really thick trees at night and you can't see the moon or the stars, and there's weird noises. Anyway, it didn't matter - we were told that if we left the forest, we'd die.

[As for the honey... have a sheepish shrug.] I just get honey from the store.

You'd die?

That's cheating!

I don't think so. Maybe the Great Deku Tree just told us that because it's really dangerous out in the field. But I'm not a real Kokiri, so I can't really tell.

I wouldn't be surprised. What you described is an excellent way of controlling a group of people. Maybe the... Great Deku Tree did it to keep you safe until you were old enough to leave.

Maybe... [He looks a little doubtful.] But the Kokiri don't get old... maybe he just told me to leave because I'm a Hylian and was the only one who could.

Maybe. Why were you the only Hylian living there, Link?

[There's a bit of doubt on Link's face - some uncertainty.] My... mother. I never knew her, but the Deku Sprout - he was born after the Great Deku Tree died - told me that when I was a baby, she got really badly hurt and ran into the forest with me. And I got left there and she died.

[It's strange - intellectually, ever since he learnt of his Hylian heritage and what it means, he knows he's supposed to have a mother. But it feels disconnected - like it's some other Link.]

I know how you feel. I don't remember much about my mother, either.

I'm sorry she died before you had a chance to get to know her, Link.

It's okay. [He shrugs a little, smiling half-heartedly.] I only learnt I was supposed to have a mother after I woke up.

[Almost curiously, he glances at Tsuzuki, gently asking,] How come you don't remember yours?

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to have parents?

It's a long time since I was a kid. [He says it as if that's the answer.] A very long time.

And I like drinking, and that hardly helps my memory!

[That does get a smile from him.] I've never drunk alcohol, so I wouldn't know. [He looks thoughtful for a moment, though, still dwelling on that rather ambiguous answer.]

I guess I didn't really have time to wonder about it... what do you mean, it's been a very long time, though? You're not that old.

That's right, you're technically underage! [He teases him easily, trying to avoid the subject.]

I know! Hijiri teases me and called me grampa because of it, though.

[Link pulls a face, but he's not dropping the subject that easily.] Huh... must grandpas are really old and have beards, though. [He thinks.] You just look normal.

Thanks! You'd never guess I was born in 1900, huh?

Not really, because I don't know when that was. [He grins a little sheepishly.] How old does that make you?

Uh, I stopped keeping count after I reached seventy. Then it became depressing.

Wow! You don't look that old at all!

Thanks! It's probably all those preservatives in the candy I wolf down. They're finally's paying off!

...Or maybe it comes with the job. My back still hurt's like an old man's, though.

My shoulders hurt a bit if I fight for too long... what is your work, anyway?

[Fighting demons, wasn't it? But then, how did that make Tsuzuki look young... and there's still those enigmatic hints that Hisoka had given him on his birthday.]

Really? I could probably give them a rub if you get too tense.

My work is kind of complicated.

Ah, it's okay. I don't fight as much here... and we've got time. All I have to do is pack up. [Whoa. Sudden tinge of bitterness.]

My shoulders get tense, anyway. I can help. [He's still unhappy about Link having to move.]

Uhm. What was it you wanted to know about it?

[Yeah, he's not the only one. Even if he is doing this to keep the peace.]

I don't know... anything. What you did... why you look like that. Is it magic? [Peeeer. Strange that his friend doesn't act like an old man.]

Some of it was magic, yes. But mostly it was just a means to protect people.

[He smiles weakly, and a little sadly.] Look like what? I've always looked like this. It's a part of the agreement.

[Link is curious, but he's not totally insensitive - the sad smile has definitely warned him to step carefully.]

Oh... I guess working there make you stop getting old? It'd be hard to run around fighting monsters if you look like an old man.

Yes. That's why Hisoka is still short, too. We stopped aging after we were recruited. But looking like an old man doesn't stop people from being powerful. My Chief is old!

Oh... I guess that is kinda handy! [He grins a little at the mention of Hisoka being short - at least he's not the shortest one in the house, though.] He is really short, huh? I think he's about the same height as Princess Zelda, and she's a girl.

((OOC: Yes. Zelda is taller than Sheik XD I have the screencaps to prove it :3 ))

I mean they're having some ridiculous fight that they'll all be over in an hour and giving me an unnecessary headache. [This is Hisoka's way of explaining that he cares about the affairs of his housemates. He does not have a very good way of expressing himself, but it is his own way nonetheless.]

I'm worried about them. It sounded serious. [Tsuzuki knows Hisoka works like that, so he doesn't point it out.]

It's like... Well. If we had a fight and you banned me from living here.

It's seriously stupid. You don't just uproot someone because you don't want to look at him. It's not like he'll just stop being a person.

If only I'd realized that was an option sooner.

It doesn't make sense to me, either. Maybe it has something to do with how they died? In either case, I don't want Link to be homeless in the winter.

-Ack! Hisoka, so mean! You wouldn't really throw me out, would you?

Sheik lost memories when he died. But that doesn't explain any of what's been radiating off him since then. I'm more concerned that that demon he fought has been tainting him. He's not possessed, but he's not himself either.

Shut up and focus.

Some memories shape us. I thought he was simply reacting as if Link was a stranger.

[He rests his chin on his hand.] ....What's been radiating off him?

He's usually got a stupidly thick layer keeping himself contained. When was the last time he ever let on that he was upset about anything? For this to make him so erratic.... It's not Sheik. Not like I've known him, anyway.Maybe that girl in his head woke up. [He shrugs.]

He stabbed at me when I came back from Sargatanas hold. I thought he was upset then. [Tsuzuki stops.]

What girl, Hisoka?

[Oh, oops. Did he not mention this earlier?]

He's got a secondary consciousness laying dormant in his head. All I know about her is that she's a girl.

Like Tsubaki?

I don't know. ...I don't think so? I didn't feel her on purpose in the first place.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned her.

Do you get the impression that the girl dislikes Link?

...No. It's okay. ...I was talking about Sheik's girl anyway. [Because discussing Tsubaki is a one-way trip back to That Place and he'd rather not go there.]

I don't know. I didn't really read her. I don't think. I sensed her last year, back when I couldn't control myself. ...Haven't felt her again since then.

Oh, okay. [Exactly. Tsuzuki realizes he shouldn't have opened his mouth.]

Then why is Sheik acting this emotional about Link? He didn't throw me out when I came here, and we were strangers, too. Did you bribe him?

He was never openly hostile towards me either. [There was plenty of hostility coming from his insides, sure, but that was to be expected.] We still haven't ruled out interference from that demon.

That's why this doesn't make any sense.

It might be something the Malnosso cooked up, too. Would you be able to feel if they did something to his mind?

Not really. There's no difference in how strongly I can feel him. Not like there is when a possession. If his behavior is being affected by some other outside force, I can't tell for certain.

Then what do you suggest we do? If we don't act, Link will be thrown out.

Maybe a talk with Duo is the best approach. I think he and Sheik are close.

It's Link's own fault for letting himself be abused like that. He should learn how to stand up for himself. [He knows it's not, but it's still easier than admitting he's out of options.] Worst case scenario, we'll have to split up and watch over both houses.

..Maybe Duo'll talk to you. I've never heard him say anything worth the listen.

All the more reason for us to stand up for him. If we don't, he'll get hurt. [The worst case does indeed sound bad, and Tsuzuki's not thrilled about the idea. Who will he fall asleep with if Hisoka's in the other house?]

Wait. Does he not want to talk to you, or is it the other way around?

Yeah. I know. [He nods, and quietly reaches for Tsuzuki's hand.]

Either. Both. We don't get along.

I don't see the point of throwing him out. Sheik doesn't sleep in their bedroom a lot, why not let Link keep it? [His hand clasps Hisoka's instinctively. He's so grateful for the unspoken reassurance, he pulls his partner towards him.]

Do you think we should call for a house meeting? That way you won't have to talk to him, but we'll get to have a discussion anyway.

Because he's being stupid. [He'll let himself be pulled, for the time being.]

Do you think they'd bother listening?

Then maybe we should keep an eye out for him.

[He maneuvers them so they're holding hands and facing each other.]

Why shouldn't they?

They all need someone to keep an eye on them. [Fine, Tsuzuki. You get physical contact today, but don't expect him to look you in the eye at the same time.]

Because they never do.

I know. Especially Link. The last death penalty he got is dangerous. [He's happy just to be near, today.]

We could preface our complaint with yelling "The kitchen is on fire!"

Edited 2010-12-23 20:03 (UTC)

...I'll go with him. At least then someone'll be able to prepare decently cooked food.

....No.

Are you sure you have to go? ['The room will be lonely without you' is what he wants to say. Unfortunately, he knows that it would make him sound like he didn't appreciate Hisoka's competence.]

I could make authentic smoke, even.

You'd rather let him get into trouble without anyone to look after him? [It's okay. He got that part nonverbally.]

I said no, Tsuzuki.

No, of course not. But if Hijiri stays at the house, one of us will have to stay to protect him. [Tsuzuki is downtrodden. He knows this is an argument he'll have trouble winning.] You won't stay in the other house all the time, will you?

Well, fine! Do you have any better ideas?

I know. But it's not like we haven't gone on solo missions before. You could consider it a practice un for when I finally head out for my shikigami. It would be years before I'm back. It's not like this village is big enough for me to get lost.

[He'll be giving Tsuzuki a Death Glare at that last bit, but keeps his mouth shut. For now.]

You plan on being gone for years when you look for shikigami?

How long is it supposed to take?

Not that long. Back when I went through it, they had challenges I had to go through.

It really depends on what kind of shikigami you want to bond with.

I want the best one.

All of them are "the best one". What you need is one that matches you well.

Edited 2011-01-05 17:12 (UTC)

That sounds like something you tell a kid to make them feel better about losing. I don't plan on losing.

You won't lose, Hisoka. It's not a competition. Just remember that if your shikigami doesn't like you, a partnership could become more trouble than it's worth.

I'm not coming back with something embarrassing.

Even if you came back with nothing, I would still think you did a great thing. Do you know how few people are allowed to venture to their world in the first place?

The standards can't be that high. They let you go.

Yeah. They're obviously losing their touch.

Just keep in mind that there's plenty of shinigami that do their work without shikigami. Take Tatsumi, for example.

Tatsumi doesn't bother with working the field, though. He doesn't need the extra muscle.

And yet he can control shadows to the point where it gets really creepy. The point is, he realized he had a strong point and worked on using it to his advantage. You have strong points, too, Hisoka.

It's not nearly enough. I want a shikigami.

But what if you become like Terazuma?

I told you. I'm coming back with a good one.

And if the choice was between a weak shikigami and a strong one that would be your parasite?

That's not going to be my choice. I'm going to do it right.

[A small frown puckers his forehead. Sometimes he wishes his partner weren't so stubborn - it could hurt him.]

Power isn't everything, Hisoka. And the power shikigami can give you can be a burden.

It won't be a burden for me. Stop making that face.

It might be in the future. If this is about what Muraki did to you--

Not everything is about that.

I thought you wanted some because mine weren't working. ...Aside from Touda.

Don't be an idiot. My reasons are mine alone.

Would you share some of them if I asked?

What difference would it make if I did?

We don't have to fight over this, Hisoka.

I'm not fighting.

Fine. Arguing.

I'm not arguing either.

Challenging a shikigami is no joke. There's no point in trying to find one if you don't have the right attitude.

[Sheik heard that, and it's not making him feel any better about the entire situation.]

[...So Duo's really going through with what he couldn't bring himself to finish. For this very reason - everyone getting upset about it.]

[Tsuzuki will probably hear a distinct thump from upstairs of Sheik's journal bouncing off a wall, and that sound repeating from the journal's point of view moments later through the journal system.]

[That's a good way to catch his attention. He turn around and listens, before he hurries up the stairs.]

Is everything all right in here?

[There's an answering ping from Sheik's lyre on the other side of the door. Perfectly fine.]

[Okay, maybe not, but he's trying to be.]

[Sometimes communicating with Sheik can be difficult, since he's mute. Tsuzuki does't know what lyre-music means in this context. He leans against the door.]

Sheik? Can I come in, please?

[Sheik doesn't answer. He really doesn't feel like letting you in.]

[But the door's unlocked, so if Tsuzuki wants in, Sheik isn't stopping him.]

[Which is exactly what he does, since he's taking the silence as consent.]

I have to talk with you.

[Sheik's perched in the window, lyre in his arms.]

["What is there left to say?" he asks, even though he doesn't otherwise acknowledge Tsuzuki's there, continuing to stare out the window instead.]

I was hoping you'd give me more of a reason. Maybe I haven't paid enough attention, but I didn't see what Link did to make you hate him so much.

["It is not hate that clouds my vision". A single note from the instrument. "Confusion and sadness. Perhaps even fear. But never hate. I cannot hate the people chosen by my Goddesses".]

I'm glad to hear that, at least. I was worried he had secretly hurt you, or something like that.

["He has hurt me", whether intentionally or not. "Surely you would understand, if faced with my position".]

I understand. [He looks slightly guilty as he speaks and he doesn't try to look directly at Sheik. Tsuzuki has an unhealthy habit of letting people walk all over him, even if they hurt him. Suffice to say, in Sheik's position he wouldn't have done the same thing.]

What if he apologized for what he has done? Would that make a difference?

[Sheik's usually that way, until he interprets something as a threat. Link knowing as much as he does, is very threatening, in a way Sheik cannot easily explain.]

["Apologies cannot heal everything so easily". He knows. Sometimes, apologizing makes things harder to deal with.]

[Tsuzuki recognized some of the mannerisms because Hisoka showed a few similar ones. He also knows that he won't get any useful answer out of either of them if Sheik continues to feel this threatened.]

Is there any way I can help you, Sheik?

["Let it be". In other words, leave him alone and stop meddling. That's how you can help. "I simply need time".]

...How long do you think you need?

["I do not know". He lowers his lyre, then lets it drop the last couple of inches to the floor with a thump. Just one more dent in the worn gold won't make a difference to him.]

[Instinctively, Tsuzuki bends down to pick the lyre up. He brushes it off, touching the bumps one by one.] You should be careful with this. One day it might break.

["If it is broken, I will fix it again". If Tsuzuki were to peek under the bandages, he'd see exposed wood, rather than the gold of the rest of it.]

[It shows its age. That just makes it beautiful in Tsuzuki's eyes. He accidentally notices the wood peek at him from between the bandages.]

What if it gets so broken it can't be fixed?

[It really isn't that old of an instrument. Several years of fighting and carrying it around at the same time caused much of the damage. The strings he's had to replace on countless occasions.]

["That will not happen". Rather, he doesn't want that to happen. He doesn't know what he'd do without his beloved instrument.]

[That still means it would have lasted longer than any instrument of Tsuzuki's.] I hope not. It's better to treat these things gently rather than let them get broken. They're like friendships.

[Sheik cringes a little. Don't make that comparison. "My instrument would not turn its back on me if I unintentionally mistreated it".]

No, I suppose not. [He does take notice of Sheik's use of unintentional, though.] This must be difficult for you.

["No more difficult than any other time I have lost something important". He's lying, though. This hurts more than just losing someone he cared for...]

Sheik, it's always difficult to lose people you care about. Even if you can't remember Link, I don't think the loss of his friendship is possible to not feel.

[...Sheik sighs and finally turns to look at Tsuzuki. "Perhaps I am too consumed by the loss of my memories to care much for him at the moment."]

[Tsuzuki's wings droop at the suggestion. He's conflicted and feeling guilty at the same time.]

Sorry. I didn't think about how you must feel. The idea of losing memories... Well, I have to admit that I wish I could be in your shoes. [He realizes what he's said and guiltily hurries on.]

I should've understood that you don't feel the same way I do when it comes to these things. You like to be in control of your memories, I think? By taking them away, Malnosso did you a great injustice, and now you feel like everyone else is leaving with them.

["It is not a matter of control." You could almost hear the growl that would be there, if Sheik had his voice. "Loss of memory is a kind of deterioration I cannot afford to have. Twice now, I have died prematurely and been brought back intact." ...That's edging dangerously close to things he doesn't want to reveal...]

["My voice I could accept as a sacrifice to continue living. Memory of crucial events I know should have occurred in Hyrule is not acceptable payment. Whether or not anyone is leaving has nothing to do with it." Abandonment is only a secondary hurt.]

[Tread carefully, Tsuzuki. This is quite obviously a sensitive subject to be poking at.]

[His voice is gentle, since he can feel that they're close to fighting. Tsuzuki doesn't want Sheik to think this is something they need to argue about.]

You shouldn't have had to sacrifice anything.

["It is preferable to permanent death, regardless of the problems it may cause". He dies, Hyrule's fucked. Put in simplest terms, anyway. Even put that way, though, it doesn't make him any happier.]

[Foot hears this, and her reaction is immediate.

Ever hear a lonely, cold and hungry cat crying outside at night? That is the sound the household is now being treated to. Loud, unhappy cat wailing.

What the hell, two-legs?]

[He bends down to stroke her head. Poor kitty sounds like her best friend died.]

Don't be upset, Foot. We'll get Link to stay.

[The laid back ears, tucked tail, and fluffed body probably betray her doubts. Still, she'll huddle against Tsuzuki.]

...he didn't do anything wrong.

[Tsuzuki picks her up to nuzzle the soft fur.]

I know. I feel bad for them.

...I do not like this. It is wrong...

[She wails again, quietly, and trembles a little.]

[He rocks her gently, as if she was an infant. Poor kitten. She gets some scritches.]

I know. He's a part of the family, he can't just leave.

[Foot will continue to huddle, making quiet, unhappy noises, but for now she's silent. It's too much like when her first humans left her...]

[Tsuzuki, who has had a feline companion for years before coming to Luceti, can't help but notice the lack of purring. He knows what that means.]

Don't be scared, Foot. Everything will work out in the end, I promise you.

[She'll gently bonk Tsuzuki under the chin and settle more securely into his arms. Eventually, she'll start to purr, but it's low and careful.]

[That's so cute. He walks to the nearest comfy chair and sits down.] Do you think Sheik will see sense if I talk with him?

... Tsuzuki?

Hijiri. Did you hear?

Well, I knew they weren't really getting along but...

Really? I thought they knew each other before they got here.

They did... but they've been acting strangely since they came back from...

Came back from...? You mean the murder.

Can people be penalized for being killed?

[nods]

Yes. It seems like Sheik can't remember Link at all and somehow feels repulsed by his presence...

Do you think it might hurt him to be near him?

Edited 2010-12-17 14:05 (UTC)

... I hadn't thought of that.

Hisoka doesn't feel well if he has to be close to intense personalities. I was thinking maybe Sheik experienced something like that. It's the only reason I could think of as to why he'd throw out an old friend like that.

... I see... but I thought they took away abilities rather then gave new ones to you after you die...

We all have a seed of empathy deep down. What if they dug far enough into him?

We do? ... I suppose that does sound plausible...

I don't mean the magic. I mean the ability to know what loved ones are going through, for example.

Oh... I wonder they did to the two of them then...

What do you mean?

This might be part of some experiment the Malnosso is conducting on them?

You're right, that might be the cause of this.

But if that's the case, we really should keep them close until we know how to fix it.

But Sheik can't seem to stand the sight of Link...

The only other alternative is to punish Link for something he didn't do.

I guess we should just keep them separate for now till we can figure something out...

Perhaps. Where is Sheik right now? We could try to talk with him.

He's probably in his room.

Would it be rude of us to go up there?

I think we should let him be for now...

If you're sure. You've known him longer than I have.

I'm sure it'll be better this way for now.

[He sits down and looks lost.]

... Tsuzuki? [sits down beside him] What's wrong?

It's a shame, that's all. We were such good friends.

Well, it doesn't mean that we can't still all be friends.

Of course not! I just meant that it will be harder.

Mn, it would be... but I'm sure it'll all turn out alright.

There's not much we can do if they've already made up their minds about it. I'm hoping for the best.

Well, we could still try to persuade them to change their minds.

Even if they did, someone's feelings would end up being hurt because of it. But it's still worth a shot.

Yeah, you're right.

You're close to Sheik, aren't you? Isn't there something you can say?

Well, I have tried...

Oh. Maybe we should talk about something else for a while.

Sure, what do you want to talk about?

Hmm.

What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen or done?

Weirdest? Mnnn.... well, waking up to find that you've been turned into a girl is pretty weird, isn't it?

I'd say. When did that happen?

It was a long while back. Lots of people changed genders.

Was it because of a potion or did it happen well. Naturally?

It just happened... I just woke up like that.

Duo must've gotten a real shock!

Well, he was at first but he got over it very quickly... [and got naughty...]

[Tsuzuki has no idea Duo is gay or bi. Until now, that is. He got what Hijiri meant.]

...Oh.

[He grows flustered, unsure of what to say.]

[embarrassed laughter and SUBJECT CHANGE activated!] So, uh, what would you like for dinner tonight? It's my turn to do the cooking.

How about spaghetti with meatballs?

Sure! Wanna help...? [and realizes what a bad idea that is, almost immediately...]

I thought you were never going to ask. Let's go look in the spice cabinet!

[Please don't let anyone die from this...]

Ah, yeah, of course...

[What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! So this food is good for you. Kind of.]

[Tsuzuki hums as he picks out... a lot of different spices.]

Do you think people will like it if we exchange the oregano with wasabi?

... I really don't think we should. Let's... try to stick to the original recipe.

Sure we can. I'm just adding a little flair, to wow them.

I'm afraid they aren't really that adventurous when it comes to food....

That's okay. They'll thank us and beg for the recipe later.

I... really don't think we should, Tsuzuki...

Why not?

I just know they're not really going to like it...

I'll go easy on the chocolate centers in the meatballs this time. Will that help?

Choco- Tsuzuki, can we please just make an ordinary dinner...?

That is an ordinary dinner!

... eh?

Savoury food and dessert all rolled into one.

... ... people usually prefer to have them separate...

Eating them like this saves time.

... doesn't really sound too appetizing though....

Have you tried bacon and chocolate? It's delicious. Why shouldn't meat work the same way?

... bacon... bacon and chocolate? You've really eaten that combination, Tsuzuki?

....

By accident. But it was still good!

[have an awkward laugh] ... r-really?

Would I lie to you? [He winks.]

... ahahahaha.... you really liked it?

Yes. No joke. Do you want to try it?

Eh, I don't really think it's something I would know how to appreciate...

It might be an acquired taste. It's true.

That's why perhaps it's a better idea for us to stick to something simple for now...

Okay, okay. Like what?

Just ordinary spaghetti and meatballs.

...I thought putting chocolate in was considered ordinary. How about doing it with an Italian twist?

Nope. It definitely isn't ordinary... .... what's that?

You add more garlic and spices. It's really good.

... I guess that sounds alright...

Not only that, but it*s good for you! Especially the garlic.

Well, I'll do that then.

Okay, then I can put the plates on the table.

Alright! And I'll start with the cooking.

What kind of animal would you prefer the napkins to be folded in? I like swans, myself...!

Swans sounds good. I didn't know you knew how to do something like that?

I folded a lot of origami birds while I practiced writing spells.

I see! Does that mean you can only fold birds though~?

I can do a few more animals. What did you have in mind?

What kind of animals? Oh, I don't really have any in mind. Just curious.

((Missed tag?))

I can make birds and... well. It's been a while. Frogs, ladybirds and dragonflies.

But people wouldn't like to have those on the dinnertable.

Even dragonflies? That's pretty amazing!

Yeah, I think we should stick to swans.

They're not hard to do! I can show you. ...Well, after dinner.

Really? Okay!

Great!

Hey, have you seen Foot today? I was meaning to give her some leftovers.

Foot? No, I haven't.

I hope she's not in trouble. Do you think the Malnosso got her?

I don't know... have you checked her usual haunts?

I checked the laundry basket, but she's not there.

Maybe she's got out for a hunt?

I hope she didn't fill up on wildlife before dinner.

Does she really eat them?

I've never seen her do it, but that's what cats do. At least that's what I thought.

I thought they just liked the hunting part...

Maybe we should ask her if we find her.

Yeah, maybe.

I'm hungry. How long do you think it'll take to make dinner?

It shouldn't take too long. Half an hour perhaps?

Maybe it won't take that long if you let me help.

Well... as long as you promise to keep it simple this time...

I promise! Now give me that pot.

Here you go then. [you've just handed over a very dangerous weapon, Hijiri...]

Thanks, Hijiri. [...Maybe he should warn their housemates. Tsuzuki, in any case, hums cheerfully and turns on the stove.]

You're welcome... [and might do so as he suddenly has this very bad feeling about all this...]

[PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE OMINOUS MUSIC.]

Do you want me to show you a trick?

[THE FEELING OF DREAD GROWS!]

Uh, sure...

[DEFINITELY GROWING!]

((Lost tag?))

[/shark theme.]

You know what would be great? Soaking the dinner in sake.

In... sake? Eh?

[Must attempt to save everyone!] Wait! most of us here are still underaged so-so that wouldn't be a good idea!

That's all right! When we flambé it, most of the alcohol evaporates.

F-flambé?

You can do that with... spaghetti?

It's a great idea, isn't it? They'll be so surprised.

Have you ever tried it before...?

No. But how hard can it be?

Eh... I don't really think we should use the others as guinea pigs...

'Guinea pigs' is such an ugly term. I prefer tasters.

Huh... yeah, I meant tasters...

....

Hijiri, can I ask you something?

Sure...

Do you think that I have. Er. Offended Duo somehow?

Eh? what makes you think that?

((Ah! I keep forgetting to ask... for the AU thing can Hijiri be somehow related to Tsuzuki? Maybe a cousin or brother?))

I don't know. I Just get the feeling he's not comfortable with me. Of all the people in the house, he's the only one I haven't really gotten to talk to.

[Sure! A cousin might be easiest. Tsuzuki already has a brother, and I want to keep his flock of siblings very small. Unless you talk with Crowley's mun: if she says it's okay, Hijiri can be his brother. :>]

Really? [think about it then can't help laughing a bit]

((Cousin it is then.))

What's so funny?

[Excellent!]

[laughs more] Duo's probably just being jealous~!

((And they could be rather close, almost like brothers? Since Hijiri would still be an orphan.))

Fuda # 15 | [House 49 - action/voice] Backdated to before Link and Sheik got drafted, I guess.

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[Action] /placeholder before work because I'm an egoist and THINK you meant Hisoka? Will tag later<3

[Action] Hisoka is his favorite person to argue with. :3

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