[closed] wish there was something real

[anbu]

Who: Itachi Uchiha & various.
When: Throughout Maiuril.
Where: Several locations.
What: Catch-all.
Warnings: Probably some violence in at least one thread, will update as necessary.



[ooc: Feel free to send me a PM if you'd like to plot something! Open to 4th wall characters.]

Comments

[mensrea]

I woke up with a crick in my neck!

[ Okay, wait, hold on. That’s not the point. Don’t get sidetracked, Stiles. Scowling, he tries again. ]

No one “forced your hand.” You made a deliberate choice. Don't shrug off responsibility like I held a gun to your head.

[ Realizing that reference might be too difficult for Itachi, he impatiently corrects himself with the wording he used when describing to Sasuke what happened. ]

Held you at knife point, whatever!

[anbu]

[Yes, well, talking to Stiles gave him a headache. They're even.]

You persisted in speaking with me when it was clear I wanted you to leave. You had ulterior motives in learning more about Sasuke through me, regardless of my desires.

[Only room enough for one nosy, Sasuke-obsessed person here.]

I didn't harm you, although I was capable of it. Why are you upset?

[mensrea]

[ Temper, rising. ]

Why am I upset? Why am I upset? Are you kidding me!? [ he demands sharply, voice thin with anger. ] How can you be this seriously out of touch with reality!?

[ With a strangled yell of frustration, Stiles turns around and begins marching in the opposite direction. The further away he gets from Itachi, the better. He did his part; Sasuke can’t blame him for this. ]

1/2

[anbu]

[Far from the most emotional outburst anyone has had in his presence, still it coaxes Itachi motionless with incomprehension, forced to watch Stiles' quickly vanishing back. For a moment it seems certain he won't follow or protest in light of the abrupt end of their conversation.

He's reminded, inexplicably, of a sentiment his cousin had once shared. It feels a lifetime ago: said to him when he had gone to Shisui and asked for help on an impossible mission, the assassination assignment of a powerful spy that would see him brought into the fold of ANBU—another step closer to a dream he eventually failed. When he was told he could take someone else, he'd asked Shisui, citing that there was no one else he knew and no one else he could trust.

That's because you're bad with people.

He remembers those words, even if he can barely recall the sound of the boy's voice who first said them.]

2/2

[anbu]

Stiles, stop.

[Itachi takes a few steps after him, calling out. The crow on his shoulder is taken to sudden flight, wheeling up and over the top of a roof, a black flicker that soon settles on a windowsill's perch. He doesn't pay attention to it. His voice is quiet, yet it sounds almost urgent.]

Explain it to me so I can better understand. Why are you upset?

[mensrea]

[ The sound of his name doesn’t make him stop, though the vibrations in the air as sensed by the trichobothria – alerting him that Itachi moved in his direction – do. While the other man isn’t close enough to grab him suddenly like that day in the library, Stiles isn’t taking any chances. And so, without turning around yet, Stiles stares sightlessly into the distance and resigns himself to a longer conversation with the shinobi. Why is he cursed to never get the last word in when dealing with an Uchiha? ]

I’m not talking about this in the middle of the street.

[ Slowly, he pivots to face Itachi. There’s a storminess to his expression, sharpened into an almost challenging look he slings at the other man. ]

I need something to eat. If you’re that interested in understanding, you can come with me.

[anbu]

[Continuing closer as Stiles speaks to him, he stops a short distance away, out of arm's reach—primarily out of habit and an above average need for personal space. The request Stiles makes is reasonable, even if he isn't hungry himself, at the moment. It's an activity he can tolerate participating in.]

Then I will follow you.

[Look how nice he's being, he won't even assert any preferences on a location.]

[mensrea]

Christ. Okay, no, fine. This is a good starting point.

[ And yet he hesitates, taking a moment to simply scrutinize the other man in silence. Stiles isn’t a forgiving individual; given their past interactions, he’s inclined to flip Itachi the middle finger and take off without a backward glance. But he has to make an attempt to find common ground here. Against all odds, Sasuke obviously loves his older brother. That’s enough to motivate Stiles for the time being. The only remaining issue is how grossly unprepared Stiles is to educate Itachi on basic human etiquette. ]

See, “follow” has a pretty specific connotation. [ A beat. ] It’s creepy. Take off the shinobi hat if you can. Instead of “following” me, how about you walk with me. Like a normal person.

[anbu]

[He cannot, in fact, take off the shinobi hat, although those are ambitiously admirable aspirations. Itachi's brow furrows at the explanation.]

But I am following you. I'm not aware of our destination; I must rely on you to lead me to it.

[Welcome the literal and objective (friendless) hell that is his mind. For his part, at least, Itachi does quicken his pace a step so they're side by side. Look, he's a quick learner.]

[mensrea]

[ Lips flatten in displeasure, but before he has a chance to properly scowl at the man, Itachi takes a hint. Once the Witch falls into step with him, some of the frustrated tension eases out of Stiles’ body language. Okay, he can do this. Get dinner, calmly explain why he was upset, and play nice. They’re both grown adults. This is doable. ]

Sasuke’s particular about what he eats, [ he mentions offhand, walking toward the Shopping District. ] Well, disregarding the whole Vampire thing now, I mean. Are you the same way? Should I pick a place that has like, vegan options or something?

[anbu]

[The parallel to Sasuke's tastes draws a set of eyes, dark gaze boring into the side of Stiles' head as they walk. For everything he knows of his younger brother, food preferences are not high on that list. It isn't as though they've shared a meal since they were both young children. Perhaps if childhood inclinations haven't changed...]

I don't have any preferences. [Moderating their choice with his own likes and dislikes isn't important to him.] I wasn't planning on eating.

[A small pause, brow wrinkling.]

If there is tea, I would... enjoy that.

[mensrea]

[ At this point, it comes as no surprise that mention of Sasuke seems to draw Itachi’s focus like the heat of the sun when you’re wearing black clothing in the summer. Stiles continues walking, trying to avoid succumbing to the urge to glance askance at the other man. ]

Tea, got it. [ He breathes in deeply, preparing himself to push a little on a meaningless issue. ] Just so we’re clear, are you not going to eat because you’re not hungry or is it because you don’t want to eat with me?

[ For lack of anywhere else to really look beyond the uninteresting houses they pass, he searches the rooftops and sky for Russell. ]

[anbu]

[The question surprises him. It feels, somehow, as though he's committed some unknown transgression, one he's not aware of making. Black eyes continue to study the boy at this turned angle while they walk, before eventually falling away.]

It isn't personal. I'm not often hungry, and I've eaten once today already. I will eat again later in the day. [Almost like a scheduled chore.] Does that make you uncomfortable?

[Communication with Stiles at times feels like a mountainous climb to reach understanding somewhere at the peak. A laborious effort, and one he's not accustomed. Socializing is exhausting...

Russell will come back in a minute, she's flirting with some pigeons.]

[mensrea]

No, [ he answers honestly. ] Well… The idea of eating dinner while someone just sits there watching is a little weird. But since you can at least order tea, it’s fine. If you’re not hungry, you’re not hungry.

[ A jerky shrug of his shoulders. Early high school was a battle of having lunch with people who could barely tolerate him at the best of times before Scott started to build up the pack; Stiles has little interest in repeating that experience with Itachi at eighteen. ]

What kind of tea do you like? [ Then, before the man even has a chance to respond: ] They must prepare it differently here, right?

[ Damn that ho. Russell, you're supposed to be his Number One. ]

[anbu]

[It's a strange turn in conversation. Unused to small talk (or deliberately avoidant of it), he can only guess why Stiles would pursue a topic he likely holds no interest. Itachi would be fine walking in silence for the duration of the journey, if he had his way. And this is why he has no friends.]

Somewhat. The shops here are dissimilar to the teahouses I'm more accustomed, and the customs are stranger. The natives also prefer less familiar flavors. More acidic, darker, often diluted with additives such as milk or sugar. [His nose wrinkles in the slightest tell of distaste.] I enjoy sencha, kabusecha, and genmaicha. [These names are pronounced carefully for Stiles.] They are green teas, though I am also partial to some white varieties.

[Congratulations, you've unlocked his Only Hobby outside the arena of extreme torture.]

Do you like tea?

[mensrea]

[ “Teahouses.” Maybe that’s what ye old cafés were called. When Itachi begins to list teas, Stiles whips out his notebook with practiced ease and jots down an extremely rough approximation of the names. Given how disinclined the other man usually is to share personal information, this feels like a goldmine. ]

I generally avoid tea, [ he begins, staring at the word “kabusaychta” that he’s written down. ] Caffeine isn’t good for my ADHD. So, I haven’t really tried many. I didn’t even know there were different kinds of green tea.

[ Before Itachi can ask – ]

“Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” It’s a medical condition that means I have trouble focusing, sitting still, shutting up, remembering stuff, etcetera, etcetera. [ A sidelong look. ] Sasuke and Jonas know about it, but I don’t go around broadcasting it to people. Keep it to yourself.

[anbu]

[Eyes follow that movement, surprised to see Stiles surface the notebook from his belongings. Though he can't read the text on its lined page, he can assume from context what's now being committed to permanent record, and it gives him a strange, vaguely followed feeling. (Taste of his own medicine...)

A good thing the Bingo Book doesn't exist in this dimension.]

Many of the differences are related to how the leaves themselves are grown and harvested. [His eyes slide from the notebook to Stiles' face.] There are some strains that don't contain caffeine, or at least very little, while still retaining flavor.

[You, too, can enjoy tea!]

I have no intention of sharing that information. [It is an admitted weakness, however, so it gets catalogued into the 'may be useful someday' corner of his mind that constantly calculates such details on people.] This is a disorder widely recognized in your world? I've never heard of it.

[mensrea]

Yep, it sure is. [ The small notebook is returned to a pocket. ] Not really surprised you haven’t heard of it, though. Your world doesn’t seem advanced when it comes to science, medicine, and technology. Probably because of your bullshit chakra powers making it all pointless.

[ Guess who still hasn’t come to terms with the nonsense he witnessed in the mirrors. This guy. ]

Alright, I've decided you can order me some tea. I’ll be watching you – so no funny business. I’m allergic to poison.

[anbu]

[He's going to slide right past that ignorant comment. They aren't bullshit just because you can't appreciate them, thank you.]

I have no motive to try and poison you, nor have I ever considered such a tactic against a real enemy. [So... basic and talentless. Also, the murder part.] Your description does fit many of my personal observations of your behavior.

[Mid-walk, Russell makes a grand re-entrance, swooping from the eaves of a nearby building to land on the street. Then she begins to trot alongside them with her little black talons, like a weirdo human-bird hybrid.]

[mensrea]

It was a joke, dude.

[ With a longsuffering sigh, he pins Itachi with a look that clearly says the man is hopeless before allowing his attention to drift to Russell. A faint, fond smile tugs at his lips. What a weird bird. There’s something stupidly cute about how she’s marching along with them. ]

Back home, I take medicine to treat it, [ he continues, absently patting down his pockets in search of something to feed the crow. ] But that medicine doesn’t exist here. Not that you’d notice much of a difference, anyway.

[ Even on Adderall, he obviously suffered from ADHD. The benefits mostly helped him manage schoolwork. ]

There. [ Stiles points at a small café up ahead. ] Mind if we sit outside?

[anbu]

[Itachi's expression creases, briefly, as if this fact of a joke is something he hadn't even considered. Getting poisoned is a reality; why wouldn't Stiles worry about that?]

Is it possible to recreate the medicine, if you had the ingredients?

[His head turns in the indicated direction, and he nods assent.]

I don't mind. I'm not aware whether they'd allow animal familiars inside, so this is fine. [Perhaps it's a rule different in Aefenglom, where plenty of witches are out and about with their magical companions.] I also prefer the outdoors. [Stiles can likely guess why, knowing Sasuke.

He crosses over to the seating area and selects one of the tables closest to the open path. Russell is quick to hop onto one of the chairs, as if to claim it for herself.]

[mensrea]

[ A sharp considering look follows Itachi’s back as the other man sweeps past to choose a table. Stiles notes how quickly “I don’t mind” was amended to “I also prefer the outdoors.” A sign of progress or simply a coincidence? Either way, it’s unusual for the Witch to volunteer any personal information or preferences unprompted. With a shrug to himself, Stiles moves to join him. ]

Jonas has been trying to recreate it. I have no idea what the hell goes into Adderall, though – uh, the med I was on. Pretty sure he doesn’t either. So he’s winging it.

[ He pulls out a chair and sits, then carefully pulls out the one that Russell has claimed so she can rest her head on the table if she so wishes. A waiter signals that he’ll be over momentarily, so Stiles pushes the drink menu toward Itachi while grabbing the lunch menu for himself. ]

Remember, I’m watching you.

[ Two-fingered gesture at his eyes, then to Itachi’s. ]

[anbu]

[Adderall — he commits the name to memory, even if it's never relevant again. Though he's not learned in medicine, he recognizes the value in what other civilizations may have to offer.]

That sounds as if it could be dangerous. Even the medical techniques and procedures of my own world should not be practiced by amateurs. [AMATEURS... just calling you out.] Assuming neither of you have experience with medicine.

[Itachi picks up the narrow drink menu and flicks it open, deliberately ignoring that gesture's threat with his eyes downcast.]

Are you? It wouldn't be too difficult to fool your perception. [Is this a sense of humor? His smile is so slight it's not much different from a line, but it's there.] Perhaps less easily with your new Arachne senses, however.

[mensrea]

[ C’mon, Itachi. What’s the worst that could happen from two inexperienced teenagers trying to concoct an ADHD medication alternative? It’s not as if Jonas is getting high off the samples and running around taking increasingly ludicrous pictures of wildlife. But any retort on the subject is abruptly forgotten when it occurs to Stiles that Itachi is teasing him. Holy shit. The man has a sense of humor. ]

I’ve got eyes in the back of my head, buddy. [ Russell barks. ] …Which are useless right now, because you’re in front of me. But still –

[ The waiter takes that moment to interrupt, cheerfully asking what they’ll have. Stiles requests a roast beef sandwich, and whatever drink Itachi is going to order for him. ]

You sure you don't want anything to eat?

[anbu]

[Russell sure does bark. Itachi momentarily turns his attention on the bird, blank-faced, as though unimpressed by this outburst of noise. Then he levels his gaze back onto Stiles just as the waiter approaches their table.]

Yes, I'm fine.

[And he orders their drinks. As it isn't a fancy teahouse, their tea options are somewhat limited, but he does find a satisfactory jasmine tea on the list. For Stiles, one of the herbal teas — ginger — which is denoted as decaffeinated in smaller script on the menu.]

Now we should continue our earlier conversation.