[ Maruki is nothing but pleasantly mild neutrality while he cubes up tofu and slices scallions. ]
It ended naturally. I was very well-liked by the students. Many of them cried when I left. [ A beat, and then he sighs down at the cutting board. ] Actually, that was pretty overwhelming...
[Quite likely to Akechi's great annoyance, Venat buries her mouth behind her hands to laugh, hard enough that she bends over slightly. Mostly at Maruki's terrible joke.]
[ Maruki pauses in his tamagoyaki rolling, frowns a little over his shoulder at them. ]
Trouble terribly...
[ None of the words that come to mind fit the definition at all. He's fairly good at crosswords, normally, but this one stumps him. A beat longer, and then he returns to the eggs. ]
It would trouble me terribly to evict you. Does that count?
[Oh, Maruki. Again, your earnestness and endearing warmth cannot help but make her smile. Venat, for a change of pace, has followed a trail of thoughts down a less charitable path.]
Perhaps we are troubling you terribly by continuing to exist in your presence?
Scratched in the blank white space adjacent to the boxes - Akechi can't tell if it works yet. He opts to be the bigger person here and-
Exist.
Scratched under the first word. He is literally the biggest person in the room right now with the smoothest chillest calmest brain of anyone that has ever existed EVER. He takes both comments with a quiet huff, a sip of coffee, and concentrates on the surrounding words to if anything makes sense with their additions.]
I elect to not comment on either of your statements. I'll confirm if your guesses work in a moment. [The pen taps against the counter and-] Perhaps it's two words. I wonder...
[ Both of their faux-guesses make Maruki laugh, quiet but entirely genuine. Something deep in his chest warms and mourns at the same time; in its own strange way, this is likely as close as he'll ever get to some distant, ancient dream of home and family. He decided long ago that it wouldn't ever be for him, but– maybe, in some false reality, some facsimile of it can briefly exist.
Doesn't matter. He's busy putting the finishing touches on a simple cucumber and radish salad, hunting around for his rice vinegar as he speaks. ]
Two words? I can't begin to guess...
[ What a poor showing on his part. This is like scow all over again.
Then, to Venat, in between opening and closing cabinet after cabinet: ]
Is it a real clue, or has he invented an impossible one to make us look bad?
Had he done so, we'd not need to ask. Clues such as this may vex me, owing to the differences in speech between you two and myself, so I've no intent of promising answers to all.
[Possibly putting it mildly; the differences truly stand out at times, and she has on occasion wondered what lies beneath the divergence in pattern and words.]
For all we're aware, the writer is thinking of a word unbeknownst to any of us.
Why would I make up a clue for a crossword puzzle? That's idiotic. Don't imply I'm a liar because you can't figure out a simple word.
[SECONDLY - Venat's not wrong. Loathe as he is to admit it. The crossword isn't from Japan judging by most of the clues. Who's to say it's not from a completely different world entirely, with a whole other structure behind its language? It's impossible to know for certain.]
Perhaps the library has more dictionaries - I'll have to look. With enough effort, I could likely narrow it down and figure it out. Though I'll start with the one in my room.
[Yeah SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN FOR TODAY. BUSY BUSY DAY of reading the dictionary]
[ Rice vinegar: Achieved!! And with that, through all of their chatter, he plates up and sets before them their breakfast spread: Rice, miso soup, cucumber radish salad, tamagoyaki, little octopus weenie sausages, an assortment of cut up fruit, yet more coffee...
Yes, he does this every morning. Real housewife shit over here.
But even with breakfast set out, he doesn't come around to join them in his own empty seat. He's too proud, for the moment, standing there with his hands on his hips, beaming at them both. ]
Oh, I'm sure if you wanted help, we could join you at the library. Don't you want to make a whole day of this?
[Yep, this is the kind of stuff she loves. How could it not be? Not just the results and the presentation, but his simple pride and delight in the accomplishment.]
In fact, I daresay I could grow accustomed to this.
[Yeah, good job or whatever. It's food. Maruki makes it every single day. Venat please.
Whatever. He offers a quiet `itadakimasu` under his breath. Leans over the counter to grab his chopsticks - fruit and cucumber radish salad taking up most of his plate. Maruki is a good cook, and the food is tolerable. He won't deny that. ]
[Well, whatever. He shuts the fuck up and eats. A blessing to all, truly. He munches away and checks his phone while they do whatever they're gonna do!!!]
[ Truly the best thing about mealtime: Akechi's mouth closes.
Maruki does come around then, seats himself between them to tuck into his own meal. It's a simple pleasure, really, enjoying food with the people he cares about, but he never tires of it.
Then, after a few thoughtful bites: ]
You could, you know. Grow accustomed to it.
[ This is an A & B conversation. Akechi can C his way out of it. ]
I like having you here. If you like being here... well, there's no reason not to be more often, right?
How eminently bold. Are you trying to get me to settle down?
[Venat regards him with a smile that is mostly mischief, though notably she is neither rejecting nor even displaying antipathy towards the idea. Spending the night here had indeed been pleasant, more so than she had imagined.]
Surely you would want the same courtesy for your loved one, when you should find one.
[Venat says this in precisely the sort of gentle tone that makes it impossible to tell for certain if she is being honestly considerate, or just attempting to send Akechi to the local burn ward.]
The shitty remark he's about to make to Venat dies the second Maruki opens his own fucking mouth and the look he gets.
Oh, there's no love. Not a single bit. The temptation to pull out Loki is so strong. He'll give Venat a taste of what's to come if she chooses to take this asshole up on his offer.
The rational part of him realizes nothing will deter her. The illogical part wants to Riot Gun the room anyway. A flicker of calm reminds him of the 'no fighting in the Machiya rule' hanging on the fridge.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 10:26 pm (UTC)He's stupid stupid.
Akechi doesn't acknowledge his SHIT outside of a Look™. It's too early. This is why crossword time is quiet.
Y - E - W fits.
Another word easy to solve because of it. He scratches some new solutions in, and, well actually can't help himself from making a comment.]
The students at Shujin likely hated you. Did your tenure actually end naturally or were you let go?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 11:05 pm (UTC)It ended naturally. I was very well-liked by the students. Many of them cried when I left. [ A beat, and then he sighs down at the cutting board. ] Actually, that was pretty overwhelming...
[ So many sobbing girls........
Tofu in the pot. It's miso time, baby. ]
Anyhow, carry on!
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 11:22 pm (UTC)[She's got it bad, apparently.]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 11:32 pm (UTC)You can't be serious, Venat. He's not funny. Don't encourage this shit.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-16 11:35 pm (UTC)Jealousy is unbecoming, Akechi. Give us another clue.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-18 03:03 am (UTC)[Not at all familiar with crosswords, after all, and not at all certain what she might be getting into.]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-18 03:13 am (UTC)This crossword doesn't have a theme. The clues will be unrelated to one another.
[God, whatever - where's another one he's struggling with.
The food smells good though. Coffee tastes fine. Despite the unwanted company, it's not a miserable morning.]
Trouble terribly - five letters. The first one is E, the last one is T.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-18 04:05 am (UTC)Trouble terribly...
[ None of the words that come to mind fit the definition at all. He's fairly good at crosswords, normally, but this one stumps him. A beat longer, and then he returns to the eggs. ]
It would trouble me terribly to evict you. Does that count?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-18 08:31 pm (UTC)Perhaps we are troubling you terribly by continuing to exist in your presence?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-19 01:11 am (UTC)Scratched in the blank white space adjacent to the boxes - Akechi can't tell if it works yet. He opts to be the bigger person here and-
Exist.
Scratched under the first word. He is literally the biggest person in the room right now with the smoothest chillest calmest brain of anyone that has ever existed EVER. He takes both comments with a quiet huff, a sip of coffee, and concentrates on the surrounding words to if anything makes sense with their additions.]
I elect to not comment on either of your statements. I'll confirm if your guesses work in a moment. [The pen taps against the counter and-] Perhaps it's two words. I wonder...
[IMPORTANT BUSINESS, THIS CROSSWORD.]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-19 07:47 am (UTC)Doesn't matter. He's busy putting the finishing touches on a simple cucumber and radish salad, hunting around for his rice vinegar as he speaks. ]
Two words? I can't begin to guess...
[ What a poor showing on his part. This is like scow all over again.
Then, to Venat, in between opening and closing cabinet after cabinet: ]
Is it a real clue, or has he invented an impossible one to make us look bad?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-20 01:50 am (UTC)[Possibly putting it mildly; the differences truly stand out at times, and she has on occasion wondered what lies beneath the divergence in pattern and words.]
For all we're aware, the writer is thinking of a word unbeknownst to any of us.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-21 12:18 am (UTC)Why would I make up a clue for a crossword puzzle? That's idiotic. Don't imply I'm a liar because you can't figure out a simple word.
[SECONDLY - Venat's not wrong. Loathe as he is to admit it. The crossword isn't from Japan judging by most of the clues. Who's to say it's not from a completely different world entirely, with a whole other structure behind its language? It's impossible to know for certain.]
Perhaps the library has more dictionaries - I'll have to look. With enough effort, I could likely narrow it down and figure it out. Though I'll start with the one in my room.
[Yeah SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN FOR TODAY. BUSY BUSY DAY of reading the dictionary]
When I find the solution, I'll let you both know.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-21 06:04 am (UTC)Yes, he does this every morning. Real housewife shit over here.
But even with breakfast set out, he doesn't come around to join them in his own empty seat. He's too proud, for the moment, standing there with his hands on his hips, beaming at them both. ]
Oh, I'm sure if you wanted help, we could join you at the library. Don't you want to make a whole day of this?
[ He knows Akechi doesn't. ]
Please enjoy the food!
[ So proud!!! ]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-21 02:06 pm (UTC)I cannot fail to do so.
[Yep, this is the kind of stuff she loves. How could it not be? Not just the results and the presentation, but his simple pride and delight in the accomplishment.]
In fact, I daresay I could grow accustomed to this.
1/2 no one SAW THAT
Date: 2024-11-21 05:22 pm (UTC)Whatever. He offers a quiet `itadakimasu` under his breath. Leans over the counter to grab his chopsticks - fruit and cucumber radish salad taking up most of his plate. Maruki is a good cook, and the food is tolerable. He won't deny that. ]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-21 05:25 pm (UTC)softlaunches You're Getting A Stepmother, Akechi
Date: 2024-11-22 06:56 am (UTC)Maruki does come around then, seats himself between them to tuck into his own meal. It's a simple pleasure, really, enjoying food with the people he cares about, but he never tires of it.
Then, after a few thoughtful bites: ]
You could, you know. Grow accustomed to it.
[ This is an A & B conversation. Akechi can C his way out of it. ]
I like having you here. If you like being here... well, there's no reason not to be more often, right?
no subject
Date: 2024-11-22 06:52 pm (UTC)[Venat regards him with a smile that is mostly mischief, though notably she is neither rejecting nor even displaying antipathy towards the idea. Spending the night here had indeed been pleasant, more so than she had imagined.]
no subject
Date: 2024-11-22 07:29 pm (UTC)No????? Absolutely not??? Chopsticks? Down. Attention? ON THEM.]
By all means keep making plans - no one else lives here after all.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-23 05:39 am (UTC)[ Maruki smiles warmly at her, then turns his attention over to Akechi. ]
I'm only suggesting Venat stay over more regularly, if she'd be amenable to that. Calm yourself.
no subject
Date: 2024-11-23 11:17 pm (UTC)[Venat says this in precisely the sort of gentle tone that makes it impossible to tell for certain if she is being honestly considerate, or just attempting to send Akechi to the local burn ward.]
CARRY ON LEXY : )
Date: 2024-11-23 11:35 pm (UTC)[ And Maruki? Has a death wish. Clearly. ]
cw: VIOLENT THOUGHTS 1/????
Date: 2024-11-23 11:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-11-23 11:44 pm (UTC)The shitty remark he's about to make to Venat dies the second Maruki opens his own fucking mouth and the look he gets.
Oh, there's no love. Not a single bit. The temptation to pull out Loki is so strong. He'll give Venat a taste of what's to come if she chooses to take this asshole up on his offer.
The rational part of him realizes nothing will deter her. The illogical part wants to Riot Gun the room anyway. A flicker of calm reminds him of the 'no fighting in the Machiya rule' hanging on the fridge.]
end
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From:hehe we can wrap up unless either of you have more :3ccc
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