impheired | Voicemail (Cerealia)

I think it will be.

[She trusts Lee not to try anything (too) weird, after all. It's not like she's going with Hanamura or something... Besides, they both have an understanding as to why they're going with each other, so it shouldn't turn into anything awkward. Not that Peko would likely notice if it did.

But she is watching his expression a little carefully, trying to figure out if he's disappointed that she's going with someone... but of course he's not, that would be silly. Instead, she just nods, glancing past him to the jacket again.]

Are-- Would you like to walk there with me, when you are ready?

[Since she's here already, and he seems to be mostly finished? And at least she's asking if he'll come with her, instead of asking if he wants her to go with him.]

[Nope, he does not seem to be disappointed. That is most certainly not at all what that weird, brief, flash of emotion was earlier before she clarified. Certainly not.]

[He's glad that she has a friend who wants to do something like that with her! The only thing to be disappointed about here is the fact that he cannot also call Peko his friend.]

Sure. Hold on, let me just... Here, just stand inside for a minute while I finish up. [Because he can't really keep the door open for you AND get his jacket. Though first he's going to finish futzing with this cuff link. There we go. Once Peko's inside, he'll let the door close behind her before picking up the DVD bag and taking it over to the couch so he can trade it for his jacket. He then disappears briefly into the bathroom, because that's where the mirror is and he wants to make sure he's got everything on straight.]

[His apartment is pretty much the same as the last time Peko was in here. The only really noteworthy new thing is the saké set sitting on the low dining table. It's black with gold dragons painted on it, very fitting though where on earth did he get it. And better yet...why did he get it?]

[True to his word though, he doesn't keep her waiting long. Barely a minute later, he's coming out of the bathroom, grabbing his wakizashi off the edge of the counter and sliding it inside his jacket because of course he is.]

Alright. Ready when you are.

[Maybe someday they can be friends... maybe someday. She just murmurs a polite 'excuse me' upon entering, bending to fiddle with the straps of her shoes to get them off. It's a little trickier than her normal loafers, but she manages well enough. By the time he's emerging from the bathroom again, Peko's just ventured over to look over the saké set. This is... really nice for him to have gotten for himself.]

...Did you buy this, Fuyuhiko?

[Forgive her for being curious, but she can't quite help it! This is new and different, and while it suits him, she just hasn't seen it before.]

[Oh my god, Peko, that's not what he meant. He was gone for a minute, you didn't have to take your shoes off!! Though, whatever, he has to put his own on too. Since they're right over there next to the door. He's just going to put a hand on the wall while he slips them on.]

Ah, no. It was...a Christmas present from Hinata. [A fact which he can't help but smile a little about. He still doesn't really give a rat's ass about Christmas but...it's nice to have a friend who will give you a present for it?]

From Hinata...?

[Oh, okay, time for shoes again. She really could have left those on, but she didn't know how long he'd be and she didn't want to be rude while she ventured over to look at the saké set--! But there's no mistaking her puzzled expression as she bends down to slip them on and fasten the straps again, because while yes, Kuzuryuu had said something about "sworn brothers" when they were with Katsura, after Katsura's usual... everything, it's hard to remember to get back to (comparatively) smaller points.

The tone of her voice should be enough to convey that hey, what the heck, Fuyuhiko, you've got to explain more than that.]

Yeah, from Hinata. That's what friends do on Christmas, isn't it? Exchange gifts.

That's apparently the only explanation she's getting because he doesn't seem to have picked up on her tone. Probably because he's more concerned with leaving so they get there on time. But also because that was a perfectly good explanation?? What else is there to add even? Hinata is a friend so he gave him a present. And Kuzuryuu even gave him one too. Come on, Peko, it's not rocket science. You know they both survived to the end and even if they didn't, who doesn't like Hinata? Even you like Hinata.]

Come on, let's go.

[He waits until she has her shoe straps done up again before opening the door, but once it's open he's heading on out.]

Well, yes, but...

[Alright, they're on the move! It gives Peko time to figure out how she wants to phrase it, anyway. It doesn't take her too much longer to get her shoes back on, and she's following him out the door. She has a small black shrug to wear on the way there in case the weather is chilly, but she's used to maneuvering with her sword bag enough that she doesn't need to take it off to wiggle the shrug on.

As she falls into step beside him, she can't help but glance toward him again.]

A saké set is a very particular kind of gift to give someone like you.

[Especially considering she knows that Kuzuryuu doesn't drink?? So she doesn't otherwise know where the implication would come that a saké set would be an A+ gift choice.]

And you had said... sworn brothers...?

Yeah, we exchanged cups back on the island.

[Hinata's life is his now, he owns it.]

Which I'm pretty sure is why he got me that. At least, that's the reason I got him one for his birthday. Though I should probably return that and figure out something else now instead...

[Would it be weird to give him the same thing after the fact?? It seems like that might be a little weird.]

I... see.

[Is what she says, but he might be able to tell from her voice that she isn't sure if she does see, really. Less doubting Kuzuryuu and more concerned that Hinata doesn't know exactly what that means.

But that's a question for Hinata, not for Kuzuryuu, so instead she just glances toward the other. There's actually another hint of a smile on her lips.]

I'm... glad that you and he can rely on each other. If you already got it, I'm certain that he will understand the meaning behind it.

[He may have kind of tricked Hinata into joining the yakuza. Possibly. That might have been a thing that happened.]

Well yeah, I'm sure he'd get it. But wouldn't it look a little weird to give him the same thing after the fact? [WHAT IF HINATA THINKS HE WAS JUST COPYING HIM BECAUSE HE COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE??? Hinata's opinion is very important, okay. he's still very new to this friend thing and doesn't want to fuck it up. Which...considering it's Kuzuryuu, isn't exactly an unfounded worry.] Maybe I should get him a gun instead...

[Since he apparently knows how to use those now.]

I am not sure...

[He does make a valid point about it possibly seeming like it's something that Kuzuryuu is doing just because he couldn't think of anything else, but then again, what is there that could convey that exact sentiment? She hums thoughtfully, bringing one hand up in her usual unconscious gesture of thought. Fortunately she'd left those stray bangs free, else the habitual gesture would just look awkward.]

Have you perhaps considered giving him the set, and some ammunition, rather than returning it and purchasing a gun? Unless you think the two of you would only use it when he visits you, and not the other way around...

I haven't really given alternatives much thought at all yet. Figured I'd really sit down and think about it after tonight. But I guess that's not a bad idea. I could just get something else to go with it...

[Because there really isn't...anything else that conveys that same sentiment, no. Hence why he's even in this situation in the first place. Great minds and all.]

Feh, I'll worry about it later.

[For now, party time.]

Voicemail (Cerealia)

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26

action; ic: 12/26