chokuto

[He has been Perceived.]

You have a kitchen? What is your rank?

[by a Good Boy, it's totally fine.]

I do, and I'm a nine of clubs.

I see.

I'd prefer to meet first. [He's got trust issues unfortunately.] Why would you allow a stranger to use your kitchen?

That's fine with me! Where would you like to meet? [understandable, really, there's nothing saying he isn't some weirdo, after all.]

Why not? As long as you don't plan to start any fires, haha!

There's a convenience store outside the Talon and Beak recreational areas. Do you know where that is?

And you don't have to worry about that. I know how to cook. The reason I asked is because you also don't know me, but you would be letting me into your personal space.

Yes, I think I know the one. I've not been inside, but I can locate it fine, as I have visited both of those other areas.

Then I see no problem! If you're worried about invading said space, don't be, the room is huge. And nothing is stopping us from getting to know each other, right?

[What's stopping them from getting to know each other is his extreme paranoia and distrust. Why is this person so friendly?]

When are you available? Also, what do you want in return?

[you know what? that's completely, one-hundred-percent fair, it's a little unsettling how nice sizhui is.]

Any time, really. In return? Ah... [that is. a fantastic question, actually. what does he want?] Would you be against sharing some of what you make?

I wouldn't. Since I'm not sure what ingredients I'll have in this place, though, I can't promise it will be as good as I'd like.

[Just a disclaimer.]

Come to the convenience store at 13:00 tomorrow afternoon.

Perfect! I think that's a fair exchange, then, and if you need any particular sort of produce or herbs and the like, I could grow some for you to use.

[honestly, sizhui's not picky. he's eaten some pretty questionable things throughout his lifetime.]

Okay, I will meet you there.

[Good to know. Sasuke was hoping to eventually make use of the conservatory himself for growing vegetables, but given that he's had nowhere to prepare food, it wouldn't make sense for him to try now. If he had regular access to a kitchen — that could change.

Considering the conversation concluded until they meet, he leaves it there.

The next day, at promptly the hour he'd indicated in his message, Sasuke will be found waiting outside one of the numerous Cock-A-Doodle-Doo locations across the resort. There's a reusable bag tucked under his right arm; the long left sleeve hangs loose. He doesn't know who it is he's looking for, so he simply waits to be approached.]

[sizhui probably should've clarified: he can literally grow them automatically, so long as there is something for him to produce the food from (which is why he keeps multiple empty pots of soil around, of course), but they will have time for that after they've met up and chatted a bit. until such a day is possible, however, sasuke is more than welcome to use his kitchenette whenever he likes.

when the time comes for them to meet, he dresses casually, hoping it will make him noticeable while also thinking it isn't too overdressed for simply meeting up with someone to collect simple groceries.

it isn't difficult to find sasuke, given he's the only person sort of just standing there like he's waiting for someone, and as sizhui draws closer, he raises a hand in greeting.] Hello there! [and hopefully he isn't making a fool out of himself, talking to an individual he hadn't been expecting.]

[No, Sizhui doesn't make a fool of himself — there's a curt nod that greets him. Sasuke is dressed similarly casual, left sleeve loose at the elbow where he's missing his arm, the expression on his face furrowed in its usual presentation of general discontent. There are also, unfortunately, a few faded bruises on his neck that indicate someone else's attentions. Please don't say anything about them.]

'Little radish'? [They hadn't introduced themselves, which was an error on his part; he'd been more preoccupied with deciding what groceries he would buy, and whether he would find what he needed for a particular recipe.] Sasuke. Let me know what you prefer to be called.

[thank goodness, it would've been a little embarrassing if so, but nothing he couldn't handle. toward the nod, he politely inclines his head, straightening right back up afterward and doing his best to not focus on those bruises that immediately catch his attention. as if he could say anything when he's currently sporting his own, all of which are luckily hidden beneath his clothes.

the nickname makes him laugh, one hand raising to cover it, though he nods his head in affirmation and lowers it again to reply.] Yes, that's me. My name is Sizhui. [he, too, could've remembered his manners and actually introduced himself before they'd parted ways on the watches, it's fine that they're remedying it now.] Nice to meet you face-to-face, Sasuke. Do you have an idea of what you want to get?

[They can wear their hickeys in solidarity, not that Sasuke is about to have a discussion about that any time soon. What happens in the bedroom should, in his opinion, stay there forever.]

Sizhui. [He says it again, mainly to solidify the proper pronunciation.] I hadn't planned out a meal, since I wasn't sure what ingredients would be available here. But I'd like to buy vegetables, if they have them fresh. And some rice.

[Easy, flexible items.]

It would be a good idea to look at the inventory on other staples too. Seasoning, oil, sauce — they might have a variety. What sort of flavors or types of food do you prefer?

[He'll be taking Sizhui's preferences into account, since he's planning to share some of the food with him.]

[hey, they're both in agreement there! sizhui much prefers to not, uh, kiss and tell, as it were? especially not with someone he's only just met. making sasuke uncomfortable isn't what he wants, after all.

he nods with affirmation.] Fair enough. We can see what they have to offer and, if there's something you want that they don't have vegetable-wise, I could grow it for you. Like... right away.

[however, he imagines rice is a pretty common staple, so they shouldn't struggle to find that. he raises a hand to thoughtfully tap his cheek, humming, head tilting one way then the other before he straightens again.] I'm not fussy. I do try to follow my rules of vegetarianism, but if you make something with meat, I will eat it. [because they also have a rule that says they can't be picky or wasteful? this is what happens when you have over four thousand rules—]

Although, admittedly, I cannot handle anything too spicy.

[That — causes him to look over at Sizhui, surprised. Right away? He's come to learn of many surprising abilities across different dimensions, and this shouldn't be one among them given what his own people are capable of doing. But, still, it takes a minute for the lag of thought to catch up.]

... That's fine, I wasn't intending to get anything with meat. [On account of the fact that someone very important to him here also prefers not to eat it.] And I can avoid spice. I generally wouldn't include it, anyway, unless the recipe requires it.

[Sasuke turns to lead them into the convenience store with a nod forward.]

When you say "right away", what do you mean? How?

Edited (typo begone ) 2024-02-08 17:48 (UTC)

[sizhui's preparing to immediately clarify, though he waits long enough for sasuke to explain his food plans, nodding again in understanding. it's a relief, hearing that he's willing to avoid both meat and spice, even if he imagines there might be something that will call for it at some point.]

Then we should be fine. I can handle certain things, food tastes better with some flavor, after all, but it's more things like chilies or wasabi that affect my tastebuds.

Ah! [he follows without hesitation, falling into step beside sasuke, a small smile lifting his lips at the corners.] I mean I have nature powers. [to emphasize this, his right hand lifts, upturned, a thin green stem sprouting up from his palm and blooming into a pretty little flower.] With more proper components, I can grow things better, but this sort of gives an idea.

[Nature powers? The closest comparison Sasuke can draw is that of earth transformation — but then, that is only materials like clay and dirt, not what Sizhui demonstrates in front of him now, not life from nothing. There's a slight widening of mismatched eyes, one black and one pale purple; he studies the pretty blue flower, scrutinizing for something that will tell him what this ability is, but of course there's nothing on the surface.]

That's... impressive. [Praise? From Uchiha Sasuke? He's really changed.] And convenient. When you say components, what sort of things do you need?

[At the entrance, he selects one of the small plastic baskets to carry items in as they shop.]

[the reaction has him grinning outright this time, a faint hum of satisfaction passing his lips before he says,] Thank you. I'm fortunate enough to have maintained all my extra abilities. [they'll just. leave the monster transformation talk for another day, maybe?]

Water, dirt, uhm. Maybe a pot for said dirt? I've been growing a few things in the gardens for now, but I have considered getting some supplies for my room, too. [actually, with that in mind, he makes a note to check and see if they might have anything here. (they probably won't, but hey, looking doesn't hurt anything, right?)

he gently plucks the flower free from its stem, the tiny vines recede and he offers it out to sasuke, free hand motioning toward the side of his head for clarification— yes, he wants to put it behind his ear or in his hair.]

[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?

absolutely! this is so sweet, aw

heehee good 😌 he wants to help!!!

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i'm sorry for him

look at his FACE so grumpy, sasuke

😔 this is who he is