[ The 14th comes sooner than Ryouma had planned for. As promised, he made sure he wasn't going to be busy and even closed the detective agency for the day -- that last part isn't exactly remarkable, given that the hours are so irregular. He also made sure Izō was out of the house, keeping him busy with tasks for one of the cases they'd been working on.
By the time Izō returns, the scents of dinner being cooked hang in the air. Curry was an extremely new import in their time, which is the exact reason Ryouma chose to make it. It's still novel -- that and the ingredients are easy to get this time of year. Ryouma peeks his head out of the kitchen to call out to him. ]
Okaeri! I'm almost done in here, so wait at the table for me.
[ While the detective agency is more western in its presentation, he's done his best to keep their living areas more Japanese, at least as much as they're capable of. A low table in what serves as their dining area with floor cushions is familiar. Familiarity in an unfamiliar world is comforting, after all. ]
[ it's still a little odd to come home to the smell of dinner cooking and knowing it's not because he's squatting in some shitty apartment above a restaurant. not at all a bad feeling, just something he's not used to. he didn't mind the work either — better to be busy than the alternative — and he worked up an appetite, so it's quite welcome. maybe he could get used to this after all..? ]
Yeah? Well, don't drop nothin'.
[ because he has two capable hands and can carry things, but ryouma wants him to sit instead...
izō does appreciate the little, familiar things even if he's not saying so; he's doing his best to adapt to western style but on some things he's very set in his ways. why fix what ain't broken?
as he settles at the table, it's debatable if he even remembers exactly what day it is. it's only necessary to mind the full moon and it's not like he can't just look up to see when that's going to happen. otherwise, time is fake. ]
[ The table is also suspiciously already set. Something's definitely up.
Ryouma doesn't keep him waiting long, coming out of the kitchen with two plates of fresh curry, along with something else tucked under his arm. He sets a plate down in front of Izō before he settles in at the table him. Under his arm is a nice bottle of sake, like the one he'd given Izō before. A meal to share with his friend.
He pours for them both before setting the bottle between them. ]
Happy birthday, Izō. It's not much, but...I hope ya like it.
[ he does wonder, even if he could've chalked the set table up to ryouma just having the foresight to think to do it. when in doubt, be suspicious. ]
Oh.
[ yes, that's all he manages to say at first. it's not like ryouma didn't tell him he was planning something a month ago but a lot has happened since then and the whole business following the wolf moon makes his usual go-to (see: being especially difficult) sort of pointless.
he's glad he didn't bother leaving his scarf at the door, at least, because he can still hide behind it. ]
Y-yeah, 'course I like it. I like eatin' an' drinkin'...
[ Ryouma can't fight the blush at that comment and almost chokes on a bite of his food. ]
Well, ya ain't wrong, but...that can come later, yeah? [ Because of course Izō will get a birthday fuck he'll never forget. ] We'll get proper drunk after I show ya th' other gift.
Yeah. Didn't need t' do all that, y'know. Ya already made food an' all...
[ which would've made them even and therefore justified. an extra gift is.. extra. and he already got ryouma a scarf for the last gift holiday and hadn't really given much thought to things like that otherwise. ]
Plus, I didn't have nothin' extra for yers...
[ it's not like it's a secret. but then he does seem to have reminded himself of something just then though and pulls a small box out of where he'd been keeping it. ]
Master said yer s'posed t' give chocolate this time'a year so...
[ so he's not making eye contact when he slides the little cube-shaped gold box across the table and then promptly picks up his spoon and shoves some food in his mouth without thinking. incidentally, it's still hot. ]
[ Oh. That's deeply unexpected. Ryouma takes the box, his smile growing broader and his blush deepening. The fact Izō thought to get him anything at all...Well, that's a lot. It's more than enough for him. He's speechless for a moment before he laughs quietly. ]
Ah, thanks, Izō. [ He takes the box, but doesn't open it yet. Those can be saved for later. ] I wasn't expectin' anythin' at all...I never expect anythin' outta ya. Bein' here is more'n enough for me...So, thank ya, really. I'm happy ya thought'a me.
[ coming from anyone else, izō might've found reason to take offence at that, but when he's not jumping at any excuse to be angry at ryouma it's much easier to know what's intended — it's not that he's incapable of doing things, only that he's not being held to any expectations. it helps that ryouma has said so often in all this, even if izō struggles more often than not to believe it.
he waves a hand dismissively because he can't just say "don't mention it" right now because he's just survived the hot curry rice and chased it with the sake in his cup. it might not do anything for a slightly burnt tongue, but he'll be able to get drunk enough eventually that he won't care. after whatever the other gift is, of course. ]
Yeah, well... hope it's good or whatever. What is this anyway? Some kinda local thing?
[ the novelty is still brand new because he hadn't been trying the new imports at the time. ]
Curry. It was somethin' real new when we were still alive...Not surprise ya never tried it. Weren't much time for tryin' new things back then. Thought ya'd like t' try it 'cause I wasn't sure ya ever had it.
[ Izō's reaction makes that answer very clear, at least. Giving Izō a new experience isn't exactly what he intended, but it's a nice side effect. ]
I wouldn't say that. I'm real glad ya like it, though.
[ There's something different about preparing a meal for someone you care about. Ryouma wouldn't have cared too much normally if someone hadn't liked it, but it's very different when it comes to Izō. This whole gesture is meant for him, after all. ]
Maybe I'll make us dinner more often...It'll save on takeout all th' time, huh?
If ya want. Ain't gonna stop ya. Y' already know what I don't like eatin'.
[ whether it's takeout or homemade, izō has eaten better living around ryouma than he ever has living on his own. in either case, he comes out ahead. ]
Can't really help ya though. Couple times I tried 'fore ya got here an' they jus' told me straight up they ain't gonna replace the li'l cookin' box thing no more so I said fuck it, I'll jus' buy somethin' next time.
Once! [ even as he says it he already knows this is technically a lie. ] ... Second time don't count 'cause I wasn't actually tryin' t' cook nothin'.
[ having poured himself another drink because he's never observed table manners before so why start now, izō chooses right now to drink it because he's not going to volunteer that information for nothing. ]
[ Like Ryouma has ever cared about table manners. There's more pressing matters here, anyway. Since Izō volunteered the information, of course Ryouma’s going to ask for more details. ]
... Got pissed off 'cause I was drunk an' hungry an' couldn't figure out how t' run it.
[ so it had been an unfortunate casualty. ]
Jus' kept beepin' an' there's too many fuckin' buttons! Why's it assume I mean three minutes 'cause I push '3' maybe I meant thirty fuckin' seconds? Shit's stupid, that's why.
[ Oh no. Ryouma just looks at him for a moment, knowing he can't laugh about it. It's not like they were really exposed to this kind of technology in Chaldea nor did they have to prepare their own food.
Once he's sure his amusement at the idea won't creep into his voice, he smiles again. ]
I can show ya how t' work it. It's real easy and sometimes it's better havin' a hot meal, y'know?
[ it is nice, even if izō doesn't directly say so. it's easy enough to tell as much anyway just from how he is, which improves as usual with the more he drinks. he knows his situation isn't entirely solved, but at least has an idea of what to do next.
as requested, he's still within the fun, social drinking phase of the night by the time they're finished eating. ]
Oh, yeah. Hehe, now I'm real curious 'cause it must be somethin' y' couldn't jus' give me right here...
[ he looks thoughtful but he'll never figure it out trying to guess. ]
[ Ryouma laughs as he stands up, offering a hand to Izō. ]
I'm sure it'll surprise ya.
[ This can go extremely well or extremely poorly -- there isn't much room in between. That's never stopped Ryouma before so why should it stop him now? He leads Izō outside and to the back of the building. There is a small chicken coop and a pair of chickens. ]
I know adjustin' t' peacetime ain't easy for ya, but...I think I might'a figured somethin' out. Gives ya a chance t' make more use'a yer animal magic, too.
[ izō accepts the hand up because how steady his legs are going to be is also sure to be a surprise. he also knows he could let go any time he wants but he chooses not to. why should he? he's drunk and it's his birthday, so he'll lean on ryouma because he feels like it.
it's distracting enough that it takes him a few moments to realise they've stopped and what exactly he's meant to be looking at. ]
Hm? Whaddya—... y' mean the chickens?
[ he's definitely surprised. ]
Ya sure? Ya think I can do that..?
[ he has a million reasons to question if he can handle things like responsibility. ]
I do. They're real easy t' take care of, plus ya can jus' ask 'em what they need. I'd say ya got a leg up with that. Ya can even sell their eggs once they start layin'.
[ Ryouma squeezes his hand gently. ]
It's a lot to stick ya with, but...it's jus' two chickens. I can help ya out when I have th' time if ya have any problems. I really think it'll be somethin' yer good at an' it'll give ya somethin' nice to focus on.
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birthday times!!
By the time Izō returns, the scents of dinner being cooked hang in the air. Curry was an extremely new import in their time, which is the exact reason Ryouma chose to make it. It's still novel -- that and the ingredients are easy to get this time of year. Ryouma peeks his head out of the kitchen to call out to him. ]
Okaeri! I'm almost done in here, so wait at the table for me.
[ While the detective agency is more western in its presentation, he's done his best to keep their living areas more Japanese, at least as much as they're capable of. A low table in what serves as their dining area with floor cushions is familiar. Familiarity in an unfamiliar world is comforting, after all. ]
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maybe he could get used to this after all..?]Yeah? Well, don't drop nothin'.
[ because he has two capable hands and can carry things, but ryouma wants him to sit instead...
izō does appreciate the little, familiar things even if he's not saying so; he's doing his best to adapt to western style but on some things he's very set in his ways. why fix what ain't broken?
as he settles at the table, it's debatable if he even remembers exactly what day it is. it's only necessary to mind the full moon and it's not like he can't just look up to see when that's going to happen. otherwise, time is fake. ]
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Ryouma doesn't keep him waiting long, coming out of the kitchen with two plates of fresh curry, along with something else tucked under his arm. He sets a plate down in front of Izō before he settles in at the table him. Under his arm is a nice bottle of sake, like the one he'd given Izō before. A meal to share with his friend.
He pours for them both before setting the bottle between them. ]
Happy birthday, Izō. It's not much, but...I hope ya like it.
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Oh.
[ yes, that's all he manages to say at first. it's not like ryouma didn't tell him he was planning something a month ago but a lot has happened since then and the whole business following the wolf moon makes his usual go-to (see: being especially difficult) sort of pointless.
he's glad he didn't bother leaving his scarf at the door, at least, because he can still hide behind it. ]
Y-yeah, 'course I like it. I like eatin' an' drinkin'...
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This ain't all, either. There's somethin' else I got waitin' for you after we eat...So don't get too drunk yet, alright?
[ It's a gentle jab, softened by the warm expression on his face. ]
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[ annnnd of course his mind jumps to the wrong thing right now. ]
Y' sure about that? Always liked me real drunk the other times hehe.
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Well, ya ain't wrong, but...that can come later, yeah? [ Because of course Izō will get a birthday fuck he'll never forget. ] We'll get proper drunk after I show ya th' other gift.
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[ which would've made them even and therefore justified. an extra gift is.. extra. and he already got ryouma a scarf for the last gift holiday and hadn't really given much thought to things like that otherwise. ]
Plus, I didn't have nothin' extra for yers...
[ it's not like it's a secret. but then he does seem to have reminded himself of something just then though and pulls a small box out of where he'd been keeping it. ]
Master said yer s'posed t' give chocolate this time'a year so...
[ so he's not making eye contact when he slides the little cube-shaped gold box across the table and then promptly picks up his spoon and shoves some food in his mouth without thinking. incidentally, it's still hot. ]
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Ah, thanks, Izō. [ He takes the box, but doesn't open it yet. Those can be saved for later. ] I wasn't expectin' anythin' at all...I never expect anythin' outta ya. Bein' here is more'n enough for me...So, thank ya, really. I'm happy ya thought'a me.
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he waves a hand dismissively because he can't just say "don't mention it" right now because he's just survived the hot curry rice and chased it with the sake in his cup. it might not do anything for a slightly burnt tongue, but he'll be able to get drunk enough eventually that he won't care. after whatever the other gift is, of course. ]
Yeah, well... hope it's good or whatever. What is this anyway? Some kinda local thing?
[ the novelty is still brand new because he hadn't been trying the new imports at the time. ]
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[ Izō's reaction makes that answer very clear, at least. Giving Izō a new experience isn't exactly what he intended, but it's a nice side effect. ]
How d'ya like it?
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[ and it pairs well with sake so that's an automatic bonus. ]
Guess yer a real expert at this cookin' shit now.
[ because it sure looks a complicated dish to make, whether or not that's true. ]
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[ There's something different about preparing a meal for someone you care about. Ryouma wouldn't have cared too much normally if someone hadn't liked it, but it's very different when it comes to Izō. This whole gesture is meant for him, after all. ]
Maybe I'll make us dinner more often...It'll save on takeout all th' time, huh?
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[ whether it's takeout or homemade, izō has eaten better living around ryouma than he ever has living on his own. in either case, he comes out ahead. ]
Can't really help ya though. Couple times I tried 'fore ya got here an' they jus' told me straight up they ain't gonna replace the li'l cookin' box thing no more so I said fuck it, I'll jus' buy somethin' next time.
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[ He's just curious, okay? ]
Ain't gotta help me or nothin'. I don't mind doin' it at all.
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[ having poured himself another drink because he's never observed table manners before so why start now, izō chooses right now to drink it because he's not going to volunteer that information for nothing. ]
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What were ya doin' th' second time?!
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[ so it had been an unfortunate casualty. ]
Jus' kept beepin' an' there's too many fuckin' buttons! Why's it assume I mean three minutes 'cause I push '3' maybe I meant thirty fuckin' seconds? Shit's stupid, that's why.
[ he feels nothing about this clearly. ]
Noodles're fine crunchy anyway.
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Once he's sure his amusement at the idea won't creep into his voice, he smiles again. ]
I can show ya how t' work it. It's real easy and sometimes it's better havin' a hot meal, y'know?
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I know ya wanna laugh, so y' might as well. Been figurin' out that phone shit, so I'm technically ahead...
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[ This is nice. It's just the two of them, calm and no expectations on either side. After the whole wolf incident, peace is quite welcome.
Another drink, a little more food, and Ryouma settles back with a contented sigh. ]
'Bout ready t' go check out yer other gift?
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as requested, he's still within the fun, social drinking phase of the night by the time they're finished eating. ]
Oh, yeah. Hehe, now I'm real curious 'cause it must be somethin' y' couldn't jus' give me right here...
[ he looks thoughtful but he'll never figure it out trying to guess. ]
... Yeah, I still got nothin'.
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I'm sure it'll surprise ya.
[ This can go extremely well or extremely poorly -- there isn't much room in between. That's never stopped Ryouma before so why should it stop him now? He leads Izō outside and to the back of the building. There is a small chicken coop and a pair of chickens. ]
I know adjustin' t' peacetime ain't easy for ya, but...I think I might'a figured somethin' out. Gives ya a chance t' make more use'a yer animal magic, too.
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it's distracting enough that it takes him a few moments to realise they've stopped and what exactly he's meant to be looking at. ]
Hm? Whaddya—... y' mean the chickens?
[ he's definitely surprised. ]
Ya sure? Ya think I can do that..?
[ he has a million reasons to question if he can handle things like responsibility. ]
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[ Ryouma squeezes his hand gently. ]
It's a lot to stick ya with, but...it's jus' two chickens. I can help ya out when I have th' time if ya have any problems. I really think it'll be somethin' yer good at an' it'll give ya somethin' nice to focus on.
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