chokuto

[Monster transformation WHAT.

Sizhui's phrasing does catch his attention, because extra implies in addition to what he was already capable of doing, but the rest distracts him away from further scrutiny. He nods, understanding — if he had space in his own room, he might consider the same. But that just isn't possible as a rank two, lowest of low. The gardens are a convenient alternative; he'll have to pay that area a visit again with plants in mind.

That flower is extended out to him, motioned to be put somewhere on his head, and Sasuke — stares.]

What?

[Sorry, Sizhui, you'll have to make your gesture clearer. This has simply never happened to him in his life.]

[y e a h, funny little thing, that is.....

cultivation, however, is always on the table for discussion! they'll eventually find a way to come back around to that, and maybe sizhui will have a chance to mention the tiny plot and how sasuke could plant stuff there he'd help grow or he can bring any soil-filled pots to his room—

but the way sasuke reacts to his offering of the flower has him thoroughly distracted. is he asking about where he wants to put it or about the whole thing entirely?

sizhui watches him with a wide, doe-eyed sort of look, he blinks once, twice, then he huffs a small laugh, shakes his head and asks,] May I put this flower in your hair or behind your ear? [hopefully that ought to clear things up a bit.]

[He doesn't know what he's asking, truthfully, which is why he's not prepared for the question Sizhui poses in turn — innocent, seemingly harmless, except for the fact that it is a gesture of patent familiarity he has crossed only with one person, and in that case only behind closed doors. Perhaps mild, the act of putting a flower in his hair or behind his ear is... too much, too far, an embarrassment that burns up the back of his neck.

I'm not a girl, is what he almost says. You don't even know me. Sentiments of derision meant to wedge distance between them with the ruthless habit of someone who has never made more than one friend in his life.]

No. [— is, eventually, the blunt answer. A testament to Cy's efforts of communication that he hasn't said something more unthinking and cold. Still, there is a chill to it, borne through discomfort.] ... You keep it.

[Then he whips away, turning into the first aisle like the man on a mission to buy some vegetables that he is.]

[it's funny, sizhui would've been prepared with responses to both of those, especially the comment about not being a girl. what does that matter? anyone can enjoy flowers. something he has known since he was young and has only grown into the longer he possesses these nature powers. three-and-a-half years now, it'd be weirder to not have them, at this point.

still, he seems unfazed by sasuke's frank answer, simply nodding his head in acceptance, which is better than he would have expected, because he'd normally anticipate a more outright show of unease— so yes, kudos to sasuke, and his suggestion that he keep it instead.]

Okay, [he agrees easily, drawing the flower back in, one hand reaching to the hairtie he has holding his hair and the other neatly tucking it into place near the top of his bun where it won't get lost.

in spite of himself, he grins after sasuke has turned away, clearly pleased with himself, regardless of the fact he doesn't entirely know what he did.]

[It tells him something, even if he doesn't know what, that Sizhui is still behind him the next time he turns around. Perhaps that he won't leave so easily from a little standoffish treatment, or that he's more desperate for a homecooked meal than he seems, or... who knows? It could be anything, but he doubts it has to do with himself. They don't know each other, and he didn't come here to change that more than necessary to prove no harm. He just needs a kitchen.

He does spare a glance when he notices Sizhui is now wearing the flower — less surprise than a dubious contemplation. It doesn't look bad, even if it is girly. Yet that soft femininity isn't out of place on the other man. Hm.]

Here. Carry this.

[The basket is outheld for Sizhui to take, if only because it'll be difficult to shop one-handed while also carrying the items he'll need.]

Do you like mushrooms?

[definitely the former, given he can fend for himself just fine, but he's certainly not complaining about their exchange: letting sasuke use his kitchen helps him out and getting to yoink some of what he's making while he's taking care of himself is a plus for him. honestly, this is probably the one time sizhui will accept food, most every other cooking session will be spent watching what sasuke makes then sending him off with all of it, and he will slowly but surely figure out how to worm his way into sasuke's good graces.

gosh though, if sasuke thinks that wearing a flower in his hair makes him look girly, let's hope he never finds out about the other things sizhui's worn . . . ]

Ah, [is his initial response, regardless of the fact he reaches out and accepts the basket without hesitation, observant enough to realize the reasoning, yet polite enough that he doesn't mention it outright.] I can do that.

And yes, I do.

[He says nothing else at first, leading them through the convenience store until he reaches the brightly lit corner on the other side, a colorful array of vegetables on display around them. It doesn't seem that the choices abide by any particular seasonal restriction; he sees daikon and leeks right alongside cucumbers, tomatoes, and edamame.

There's an obscure fussiness to the way Sasuke shops, picking a vegetable up and scrutinizing it before he chooses — and then carrots, sweet potatoes, snow peas all go into the basket that Sizhui carries. Burdock root and dried kelp are also chosen just as carefully. And last, shiitake mushrooms, tucked into a folded paper bag. It's more than a decent selection for what he thought would be a narrow and picked-off at best.]

Rice. [He turns, taking them down another aisle of dried foods.] You were the one who said they've been to other dimensions. Is that correct?

[following along behind sasuke is easy enough, but as he does, sizhui's attention darts here and there, keeping a lookout for anything in particular that might catch his eye. he does spot some colorful little porcelain planters on a shelf nearby, yet waits for the moment sasuke is distracted with examining his vegetables to go collect a few of them; the light blue, yellow and green get put into the basket and he's quickly back at the other male's side before he's decided.

all of the vegetables look well-chosen, and alongside dried kelp, he's starting to wonder what it is sasuke's planning to make. whatever it is, he's also rather surprised by the variety, mostly the daikon, leeks, cucumbers, and edamame, the second, third and fourth of those he actually scoops up for himself to bring back to his suite. the latter two can be snacks and he'll figure out something to make with the leek—

rice, he says, and sizhui nods, continuing to trail behind him, at least until he's being asked about that whole world-hopping thing, which prompts him to shuffle up beside sasuke instead so they can chat easier. (there's no one else in the aisle, it's fine—)] It is. I resided in two other places before being brought to this one.

[He doesn't miss the planters being added to the basket, eyes lowered as soon as he's added the vegetables, but he makes no comment on it otherwise — on the assumption that they must be for Sizhui's powers of nature growth.

It's only after Sasuke has located a small bag of rice, set beside those colorful planters, that he pursues the line of conversation about other dimensions. It was something he'd felt reluctant to discuss publicly before; like this, perhaps it can be done with discretion.]

I was also taken somewhere else before this place. [Their outlook is... bleak, if what Sizhui says is true. In his opinion.] There appears no shortage of dimensions willing to invite others against their will.

Do you believe you'll return, eventually? To your own home.

[it's a correct assumption, given a bit of what they were discussing earlier, before sizhui accidentally made sasuke feel awkward with the flower debacle. it's fine, though, he isn't really that fussed, especially since he hasn't been told to kick rocks or anything.

he's still walking with sasuke, after all, watching the rice get added to their basket, arm shifting to adjust the placement of the handles as it grows slightly heavier.

at this revelation, however, sizhui's eyebrows lift with interest, a million different things he wants to say rising up within him, but he tamps them down, clearing his throat and,] No, there doesn't seem to be. [a beat] Ah... [he trails off, forgoing the question he was going to ask in favor of replying to sasuke's.] A part of me still holds out hope that I will, but having been brought to this world, I am starting to wonder. [a small, somewhat rueful-sounding laugh.] Still, I don't want to give up on it.

[Sizhui isn't wrong to wonder, he thinks. Mismatched eyes scour the shelves, choosing to look around for more items he might need rather than face the other man directly — because, in that moment of vulnerability, it's harder to bear. How could anyone retain that sort of hope? An ordinary person would have given it up and accepted their fate, surely.

Moving further down the aisle, he passes off his delay of a response in the search for spices and oils. When he speaks again, his voice is a little quieter.]

Are there people waiting for you there? In your world. Is that why you won't give up? Or is it something else?

[Sorry, small talk doesn't exist with an Uchiha.]

[fortunately, he doesn't seem to mind that sasuke won't look directly at him. could be because his expression changes pretty drastically, far more pained than it'd been moments ago for a brief second or two, before he manages regaining himself and silently pushing the uncomfortable sensation away; he has to go home after this, has to, there truly can't be another place for him to go . . . right?

sizhui is the one to glance over, his head faintly tipped at first, then he straightens and nods.] Family, friends. I want to get back to them and see if I've missed anything or if time has stood still during my absence.

[no, maybe not, but he's going to take this conversation as a sign that he's doing something right.]

[That's something he hasn't considered — time standing still. Perhaps it's possible in a place where time seems so fluid, so unpredictable, where it can be rearranged and undone by external forces, but Sasuke doesn't know if it would matter in his case. As long as Naruto's alive and well, that's all that truly matters. And will he ever have an answer to that?

Quiet as he selects salt, mirin, tamari, and dashi stock from the shelves, Sasuke is careful to arrange them in the basket so as not to overly burden the other man.]

Then hopefully you will. [The remark may seem off-handed, but it's delivered seriously.] I've found what I need. Is there anything else you want to purchase?

[it wasn't something he'd initially considered, to be fair, but the longer sizhui's stayed away from his homeworld, the more he's wondered if that's the case because how could it be two years later and no one's been searching for him? that, alongside nobody back home knowing about multiverse travel, is the only other option that comes to mind.

once they've made their way out of the store, they'll come back around to this half of the conversation, sizhui will make sure of it, he just focuses on sasuke's comment for now, unable to keep from smiling.] Thank you. [then he glances down at their basket, considering what they have, his head shaking afterward.]

No, I think I found the few items I was searching for. [more than that, really, taking the vegetables he picked too into account.]

[A curt nod of his head answers that. Sasuke gently takes the basket from the other man and carries it to the front — fully intent on paying. If Sizhui tries to stop him, then he'll be pinned with a narrow look, hopefully enough to quiet the impulse of generosity.

They have not spent much time so far in each other's company, but whatever suspicion might have clawed its way to the surface has been soothed. Sizhui's demeanor is too... soft, truly, unless he's being played for a fool. There's still time to tell.]

If you have the time, [he'll say once they've stepped outside the door,] I'm willing to use your kitchen now. Otherwise, I'd ask that you hold onto the ingredients until then.

[of course, sizhui allows sasuke to take the basket, only looking mildly surprised at first, but once he realizes the other man intends to pay for everything, it's reflex to prepare an argument— which immediately dies in his throat following sasuke's look. he wrinkles his nose, exhales a sigh and crosses his arms with (mostly) feigned sulkiness. those planters and some vegetables are his, you know?

but he will be good and accept the generous offer. if anything, it could sort of be seen as him being paid back for the use of the kitchen? even though he already chose something for that and wouldn't want to change it. luckily for sasuke, sizhui's entirely wholehearted and candid despite completely understanding why sasuke would be wary; sizhui is too nice for his own good sometimes.

he tosses a glance sasuke's way, head faintly tilted in consideration.] I have time, we can use it now. This way, you can use the ingredients at their freshest.

[Sizhui can pay him back with continued use of his kitchen. While it may seem disproportionate, given how much lower his own rank is, Sasuke doesn't care; he'd prefer never to be indebted to someone else. They'll work it out to an even give-and-take later, is his opinion. And even as a rank two, he's benefited from pooling his resources with someone else, not to mention his own severe frugality.

Outside the store, Sasuke nods. It's true — it would be better to cook them sooner rather than later. And if Sizhui has the time, he's willing to go along.]

Okay. Then let's go. [He'll let Sizhui lead them back to the lobby elevators.] You said you were a rank nine? Clubs?

Edited (help... sorry for the edits) 2024-02-15 17:28 (UTC)

[fine, fine, it is an alright exchange for now. this, however, also means he gets the certainty of knowing that sasuke's at least eating decently when he comes to use the kitchen, and that's honestly more than enough repayment for him. sasuke can keep right on pooling his resources up with whoever else and saving them for more important things.

sizhui nods in affirmation and wastes no time starting to guide them back toward the elevators, left hand raising to tug lightly on the collar of his sweater.] That's right. I hope blue doesn't bother your eyes, by the way. [because his room is. extremely blue. and shiny and starry.

—one day, he'll change it to something more fitting.]

[Blue...? There's a dubious look on his face.]

No. It doesn't bother me.

[What could that mean? He chooses not to comment further, expecting he'll find out soon enough. Following, Sasuke carries the groceries in his right hand, seemingly unbothered by the weight of their purchases.

Once they're in the elevator, he looks over at Sizhui again.]

How does this dimension compare to the ones you've seen before?

[he could clarify better, of course, but rather than do that, he simply smiles, says,] Good. [then he finishes bridging the distance between them and the elevator, reaching out to push the button.

his attention is first drawn toward the bags, the thought of offering to take one coming to mind, though he brushes it aside for now, figuring sasuke would just give him another look that he'd end up laughing at.

following him clearing his throat,] They have some similarities: the other two worlds I was on before this one also based currency and energy on intimacy. Those were more... open-world, though, in comparison to the resort. [noctium had multiple planets to explore, amani had whole other biomes to check out; the golden peacock isn't small, not in the slightest, but it definitely feels more closed off.]

Is it anything like the world you were on before?

[Sasuke gives a low hum of thought, eyes studying the portraits on the wall of the elevator as he considers the words. Intimacy — for it to be some sort of fuel for an economy in other places is worthy of consideration, although he struggles to understand the motive. Is something like that really so valuable?]

No, it isn't. [Yet he has not spoken of the Netherworld with anyone except Ichigo, so now he picks his words carefully.] This dimension is mild by comparison, at least in terms of survivability. That place... it called itself the afterlife, and it claimed that we had died. We were in a constant battle against — ourselves, as well as other beasts and forces of nature. Disease. It was a purgatory more than anything, I suppose.

[Mismatched eyes turn back onto Sizhui.]

But now that I'm here, it's clear to me that it was some kind of deception, unless I have been returned back to life without my knowing. [A shrug of one shoulder.] Have you encountered anyone here that you met somewhere else?

[depending on how it's used, apparently? sizhui's own gaze watches the number buttons for now, his hands moving to tuck into the pockets of his jacket, the corners of his lips faintly pinched. however, at the mention of ‘afterlife’, his head raises and turns in sasuke's direction, widened eyes staring for a few long moments.]

Strange. One of the worlds I was in called itself the ‘afterlife’, too, but come to find out, it was a ‘simulation’ instead. [noctium had it's fair share of problems, but amani had more and it prepared him for things he wouldn't have known how to anticipate otherwise.] Sounds about right for purgatory, to be honest. [constantly being tested to see if one could be purified and purged.

luckily, sizhui looks somewhat less stunned by the time sasuke looks at him again. they'd clearly both been lied to, right? unless, of course, this is somehow the afterlife? no, that'd be way too convoluted.]

Who knows at this point? Hopefully, none of us have visited the afterlife and we're simply stuck in these worlds until we either help enough to be let go or finish the game like we're expected. [he sighs.] I have. He doesn't seem to remember me, but that's okay. I'd rather we be allowed to get better impressions of each other.

[A simulation... If not for the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Sasuke would not have been prepared for even the concept of what that might mean for them. It is still uncomfortable, imagining that this is not real — that everything he's done up to this point is only a half-imagined dream — but he also understands the uselessness in thinking that way. He can only trust his own abilities would have prevented such a feat. This has to be real, and physical, or he would know. His eyes would know.

He listens to Sizhui, unfazed by everything that is said up until the end. And then Sasuke turns, expression losing some of its schooled discipline.]

He doesn't remember? [This is, unfortunately, his first time encountering something like that.] Were the two of you... close, before? ['Better' implies perhaps not.]

[he huffs another breath, briefly fixated on the elevator doors, the following silence lingering, probably longer than necessary. sizhui tries to believe the same thing: if this was a simulation, he'd know by now, but he hadn't known on amani, so what would make this different? (maybe knowing that his senses were dulled a hundred times over in comparison?) they could do anything to confuse them, which is why sasuke has the right idea to ignore it. sizhui, on the other hand, is still struggling with that somewhat.

finally, he redirects again, his own features softening, even if the doors pop open on their designated floor before he can answer. so, he leads them out first, waiting until sasuke can fall into step beside him before replying.]

Mmn... no, but part of that was my fault. [after everyone had disappeared, he sort of. closed himself off from anyone who was left— and then he vanished, too.] It may not even be him, exactly. It could be him from a whole other universe, from a completely different time.

But we're making the best of it now.

[The elevator opens on a floor of the residential area much higher than he's gone since he has been in the resort, and Sasuke notices the differences immediately. The carpet here is rich, plush; everything is clean, gleaming and well-maintained. They even pass some of the cleaning staff on their rounds and Sasuke's gaze lingers a moment, surprised by it. Not that he expected differently, given the disparity he has already experienced everywhere else.

Sizhui continues speaking, so he puts his attention back onto the other man. It may not even be him — this catches in his mind, indelible.]

You believe that there are separate versions of others out there in the universe? [This is the first time he's heard the idea. He keeps pace with Sizhui, following where he's led.] Is this man originally from your own world?

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i'm sorry for him

look at his FACE so grumpy, sasuke

😔 this is who he is

it's true but that's ok 😌

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you are totally good, i have been there fhdfjghdf

😭

shhh gentle pats

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