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[ Just wait until you see him in a bad mood, Hank.

But right now he's not in a bad mood, so he's still perfectly polite. The talk about drinks has his amused expression taking on a slightly wary cast. ]

Just water is fine. The drinking age is only one year lower in Japan, after all.

[ Though even without that consideration he hasn't quite warmed up the idea of alcohol just yet. Maybe one day.

As for the cake, it sits inside a little plastic container (or magically conjured plastic-like container, as Akechi understand it) inside the gift box. It's a small thing perfectly suited for two or three people to share... but since Akechi is aware that an android might not eat, there's an additional present in the form of a nice pen sitting on top of the 'plastic' lid. ]

The pen was an extra from the shop. It's not much, but hope one of you can get some use out of it.

[ He doesn't want to explicitly say it's for Connor in case he doesn't eat (he gets the impression Connor won't mind even if such an assumption is rude) but it's made of the sort of shiny material that he knows tends to appeal to merrow, so hopefully Connor likes it.

But enough worrying about that. There's a dog waiting for a snack and Akechi is only too happy to provide. He's nice enough that he only makes Sumo do one command before turning the treat over, and once he has there's no stopping him from praising Sumo for his good work and reaching out to rub at his ears. He'll have to wash his hands after this anything, so he may as well get as much affection in as he can manage.

Saburo seems a bit put out about it, but all he does for now is move across Akechi's shoulders so stand on the side closer to Hank and Connor. He doesn't take off yet, but he certainly looks like he's considering it. ]

[Connor’s eyes immediately fall on the pen and he swipes it before even considering that it might be for Hank. It’s shiny. Then he pauses, looking somewhat embarrassed by his behaviour.]

It’s— uh. Thank you.

[He hopes Akechi doesn’t think he’s rude.]

And don’t worry, Hank. I was planning on making you a salad later.

[He turns away briefly to admire the pen, because he knows his Merrow instincts won’t let it rest until he does. Then he pockets it.]

We shouldn’t encourage underage drinking. It doesn’t do you any good, anyway.

[Alcohol is nothing but vile poison as far as he’s been able to deduce. Both L and Hank have succumbed to it in front of him, and it’s been unpleasant every time. He goes to fill a glass of water for Akechi, and hands it off to him when he’s done petting Sumo. Fun police indeed.]

[ Oh there was a pen. That's all that Hank's brain registers before a pair of hands grabs it and he can't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise. Well Connor is what he is. No one can really fault him about it. He tries to make it like it's nothing big at least.

Well, until the comment about salad and he just groans.]

Oh for fuck's sake let a man eat a real meal once in a while.

[He strokes his chin at Connor's comment. Fun police.]

Yeah, yeah I know. [He gives Akechi a brief look. See? This is what he puts up with.] Alright now about staying for supper instead? If it's not just salad.

[Then he looks at the Crow. Maybe try to pet it. Not sure if he can, considering how the dragonfly tried to attack him the first time they met and for a good few months.]

You're invited too. Uh...Saburo, right?

[ Well, the pen seems to have been a success. Akechi doesn't look like he thinks it's rude at all; if anything, he seems a bit pleased. Certainly pleased enough that he's not going to try to interfere with Connor's fun policing and meal policing ways. He reminds him a little of Sae, like this.

But at least they seem a bit more generous with meals than Sae. Akechi has never been shy about intruding on someone's mealtime, and any thoughts of politely declining completely fail to occur to him. He opens his mouth to agree...

But then Hank says Saburo's name and Akechi's attempt at an answer is cut off with a startled ah when the bird launches himself off of Akechi's shoulder. He goes right for Hank, aiming to land on his shoulder instead. If Hank leans away he'll settle for the couch instead. Either way, Saburo immediately fluffs himself up and clicks his beak a few times, looking immensely pleased to have Hank's attention.

Once Akechi is pretty sure disaster isn't about to strike, he lets out a soft laugh. ]

Well, I suppose that means he accepts.

I was going to cook you something proper afterwards. Do I ever let you go hungry?

[Sure, his meals are healthy, but they're always filling. Humans need food, it's their fuel... they just need good food. Not junk, or booze. In any case, he's glad that Hank picked up through the Bond that he was going to ask Akechi to dinner.]

I'm cooking fish tonight. I hope that's alright with you, Akechi?

[Yes, the Merrow cooks fish. Circle of life and all that.]

If not, I can make you something else.

[He watches as the bird flies over to Hank, and smiles.]

What does Saburo like to eat?

Shit, I feel this a trick question.

[He laughs and raises his hands in defeat, and gives Connor a small wink which is Hank's signal for 'okay fine you win'.]

Yeah don't worry if you want something else. Hate to say it, but Connor's probably the best cook I've head the pleasure of eating the food from. It's a damn shame he can't have much himself.

[Merrow cooking fish is great because you get fresh food straight from the ocean. Apart from the fact that at first he was worried Connor would be offended at the idea, Hank's been somewhat of a fisherman for most of his life so he's more than find having fish, especially in a world where he doesn't have to worry about the lead content of them.

He doesn't move from the bird's movement, having dealt with a few over his many years of being alive, and instead strokes the crow under the beak, hoping his memories of his friend's pet raven still count. Most birds like being brushed anyway, he thinks.]

I'd make a joke about Saburo wanting a cracker, but I feel like that's just damn insulting.

Fish sounds wonderful. I haven't had many chances to eat it since arriving.

[ It's pretty expensive compared to Japan and he's only a so-so cook, so he hasn't bothered. The fact that it might be odd for a merrow to offer fish doesn't occur to him; fish eat fish all the time, right? As for Saburo, his diet, and crackers... ]

He'll anything you give him - or anything you don't protect diligently enough.

[ Saburo, still perched on Hank's shoulders, leans into his touch with a few more contented clacks of his beak. He doesn't seem to notice or mind that he and his bad habits are being discussed. ]

Crows are opportunistic omnivores, so there's not much humans can eat that they can't. He'll be perfectly content with fish.

Fish for Saburo too, then.

[He'll make him a little mini plate of it.]

If you want to sit in the kitchen, we can talk while I cook. Don't worry, I won't get distracted.

[He doesn't seem to be taking no for an answer, because he's already heading into the kitchen- and he picks up the cake as he goes, before Hank can start digging in.]

You can try the cake after dinner.

[He gives Hank a smirk as he goes past. Yeah yeah, he knows, he's a spoilsport.]

[Maybe Hank heard some of Connor's thoughts or he had the same idea because he had to add;]

If you do that, mind making some for our zoo as well?

[Hank spoils them then pretends he does not. Sumo's big enough for multiple treats anyway.]

Yeah there's enough space for everyone.

[The table is made for a group of four, ~~or one large Hank~~. He stops petting Saburo at Connor's comment he holds up his hands defensively.]

Well excuse the fuck you for assuming that I'd have such bad manners in front of a guest.

[He sounds really good-humoured about it.]

Keep this up and I won't even heat up the gas for you.

[Well. Connor could use a match but you know. Hank using his fingers is far faster.]

[ Akechi falls silent as he watches Hank and Connor have their back and forth, amusement tinting his expression. He nods when Connor offers to make a little plate for Saburo, but he doesn't make a move to say or do much else. He's really not used to domesticity - he and his mother lived alone, after all - but this is probably what it's like, huh? Interrupting feels weird.

But staying silent is also weird, right? And it would definitely make him feel like he's more of a third wheel than he does already Fortunately there's an easy subject to broach as he gets to his feet to follow after Hank and Connor. ]

The shop said it was best to keep the cake chilled if you're not intending to eat it right away.

[ There's butter in the icing, or something like that. ]

It'll also keep for up to a week.

[ You know, in case Connor really wants to get into fun policing. ]

[Connor just gestures to the oven in a way that suggests Hank should do as he's told or starve. Then he looks to Akechi.]

We really do appreciate you coming over, you know. We just... don't get guests very often.

[At least, not guests who stay over to dinner. The banter is common enough that Connor finds it's difficult not to fall back into it, when he really does want to be a good host.]

How are you finding things, Akechi? Getting used to Aefenglom by now?

[He laughs, first at Akechi's remark even as he makes haste to stash it away in the fridge.]

It ain't gonna lasting that long!

[It's true Hank would not be able to resist Connor for very long, even if he could make his own food. There's a (fake) grumble before he mutters a few swear words and points at the stove, lighting up the gas.]

Yeah Connor's better at welcoming people than I am.

[He's not against it tho. Feels kinda nice to make more people around a table. Also someone else that will eat. He'll let him answer Connor's questions before adding some of his own.]

I'd say you're naturals at hosting, in that case.

[ Despite his silence a moment ago, Akechi doesn't really feel like it's their doing. Someone else with more experience with house visits and less experience with talk shows probably would have had an easier time. ]

I won't say it was easy, but I think I've adjusted to it well enough by now. [ He slides a glance to Connor with his next comment. ] You were right that most people here are willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it.

You think so?

[Connor can't help but feel flattered by that. He was never designed for this sort of thing after all, so to hear he's doing a good job is a big deal to him.]

I'm glad you don't appear to be struggling, at least. Though if you ever find you need help, we're always here to help.

Heh. Thanks. [See, he's not saying kid that time.] Well, when the company's nice, as they say, it makes shit a lot easier, and so on and so forth.

[Something like that. Hank's not all that great with the proper sayings.]

Honestly it's been pretty nice everyone's working together, even with all the shit considered. Certainly better than back home where I had to deal with all sort of shady shit working homicide.

[...probably not a great subject to discuss now that he thinks about it. Old habits die hard and part of him does miss being a lieutenant.]

But yeah, what Connor's saying. I might be old, but I'm learning magic pretty well after a year. You need some pointers, I'll show you how to light your hands on fire.

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