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.
[ not long after he'd come to this world he'd gotten offended when kipposhi had suggested he do some sort of manual labour for the same reason. he doesn't really sound offended though; it seems to underscore the question of whether or not it's alright. he already knows the answer anyway, considering all of that is meaningless either here or back in chaldea. if anything, people assume just because he walks around with swords. as they should. that actually feels kinda nice!
BUT STILL. maybe it's pitiful, but ryouma is the only person who understands what it means and obviously realises how often izō questions himself about... everything, or else ryouma wouldn't have brought up how he's been adjusting. he's already flushed from the drinking and the hand-holding and it deepens now while he tugs at his scarf idly. he appreciates how well they know each other, but it's occasionally a strange feeling, which is why he sneaks glances over at the whole little setup. he's interested but needs to shake the feeling like he needs permission. even if he already knows the answer, he isn't sure if he can believe it just because he wants to try it. ]
This place is different...Doesn't matter what ya are, y' can still do this an' be a samurai. Ain't no one here gonna judge ya for that. If they do, it's their problem, y'know?
[ Ryouma gives his hand one more squeeze before letting go to give him a gentle push on the shoulder. ]
Go on, then. Go take a look at 'em and tell me what ya think of th' setup.
[ he lets out a breath and his shoulders slump a little along with it. who knew you could be this tense over some chickens? ]
I'm goin', I'm goin'...
[ some grumbling to diffuse the situation further. it's a little too intimate. under that is also a sort of awkwardly repressed happiness, like he keeps catching himself before it can be too obvious. reservations or not, he was always going to like this gift because someone had given it to him. ryouma had put quite a lot of thought into it too, even more than the sake set. even so, he doesn't want to look too eager. it's an image thing.
an image thing that probably lasts all of two seconds until he squats down next to the chicken coop like a kid at a petting zoo. there's no guarantee the chickens will automatically like him, but he's a lot more willing to be patient about it with animals. geese excluded. ]
[ They don't seem to mind him, at least; they're more interested in scratching around in the dirt in search of bugs. They're also not trying to attack Izō nor are they running away from him. Ryouma just stands back with a warm smile as he watches this play out. ]
[ squatting down like he is, it's very easy to shrug his shoulders up and sink down into his scarf and the collar of his coat like a turtle. that's what he's doing when he reaches a hand out and waves for ryouma to come over. no, he can't just ask him to like a normal person. ]
[ he has a determined sort of scowl on his face like he's about to go into battle. he leans over and tugs his scarf down a little before kissing ryouma on the cheek.
it's not like he hasn't admitted how he feels at this point but saying something in the moment and expressing it later are two different things. and saying thank you always feels weird, so... there it is. he huffs. ]
[ all the same, he scoots over a bit and leans his head on ryouma's shoulder. izō has decided he's done justifying things to himself. because he wants to, that's why. he's still figuring this relationship shit out, which is funny considering he has no idea what the relationship is. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ He's just curious, okay? ]
Ain't gotta help me or nothin'. I don't mind doin' it at all.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
What were ya doin' th' second time?!
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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?
no subject
I know ya wanna laugh, so y' might as well. Been figurin' out that phone shit, so I'm technically ahead...
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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'.
no subject
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ not long after he'd come to this world he'd gotten offended when kipposhi had suggested he do some sort of manual labour for the same reason. he doesn't really sound offended though; it seems to underscore the question of whether or not it's alright. he already knows the answer anyway, considering all of that is meaningless either here or back in chaldea. if anything, people assume just because he walks around with swords. as they should. that actually feels kinda nice!
BUT STILL. maybe it's pitiful, but ryouma is the only person who understands what it means and obviously realises how often izō questions himself about... everything, or else ryouma wouldn't have brought up how he's been adjusting. he's already flushed from the drinking
and the hand-holdingand it deepens now while he tugs at his scarf idly. he appreciates how well they know each other, but it's occasionally a strange feeling, which is why he sneaks glances over at the whole little setup. he's interested but needs to shake the feeling like he needs permission. even if he already knows the answer, he isn't sure if he can believe it just because he wants to try it. ]no subject
[ Ryouma gives his hand one more squeeze before letting go to give him a gentle push on the shoulder. ]
Go on, then. Go take a look at 'em and tell me what ya think of th' setup.
no subject
I'm goin', I'm goin'...
[ some grumbling to diffuse the situation further.
it's a little too intimate. under that is also a sort of awkwardly repressed happiness, like he keeps catching himself before it can be too obvious. reservations or not, he was always going to like this gift because someone had given it to him. ryouma had put quite a lot of thought into it too, even more than the sake set. even so, he doesn't want to look too eager. it's an image thing.an image thing that probably lasts all of two seconds until he squats down next to the chicken coop like a kid at a petting zoo. there's no guarantee the chickens will automatically like him, but he's a lot more willing to be patient about it with animals.
geese excluded.]no subject
Looks like ya get along jus' fine with 'em.
no subject
... C'mere.
no subject
Hm?
no subject
it's not like he hasn't admitted how he feels at this point but saying something in the moment and expressing it later are two different things. and saying thank you always feels weird, so... there it is. he huffs. ]
no subject
Ryouma's cheeks tinge pink as he smiles. Well, Izō likes it. He tugs Izō's scarf down to give him a proper kiss. ]
Yer welcome.
no subject
Didn't say nothin'.
[ all the same, he scoots over a bit and leans his head on ryouma's shoulder. izō has decided he's done justifying things to himself. because he wants to, that's why. he's still figuring this relationship shit out, which is funny considering he has no idea what the relationship is. ]
no subject
Ya don't gotta say nothin'...I know what ya meant.