middaeg | [closed] wish there was something real

[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.]

[ 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?

[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.

Edited 2020-06-04 15:50 (UTC)

[ 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. ]

[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.]

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. ]

[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?

Edited 2020-06-12 05:07 (UTC)

[ “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.

[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.

Edited 2020-06-14 01:29 (UTC)

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.

[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.]

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?

[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.]

Edited 2020-06-19 19:35 (UTC)

[ 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. ]

[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.

[ 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?

[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.

[ Ginger tea sounds alright. Lips pursed, he considers it thoughtfully. Stiles likes Canada Dry well enough; this flavor should be fine. Plus one point in Itachi’s favor. ]

Huh?

[ The increasingly relaxed atmosphere – at a café outside, the other man ordering for him, teasing each other – has effectively disarmed Stiles. He completely forgot there was a purpose for this other than just to hang out. Right. Back on track. ]

…Remind me what we were talking about?

[ Oops. ]

[Back on track, and potentially in a negative direction.]

I asked you why you were upset. [Even sitting in the calm and pleasant environment around them, Itachi doesn't seem to relax, a stiffness to his posture not soon to ease.] I didn't hurt you, and it was clear you wouldn't accept refusal for conversation at that point, even though I wanted our interaction to end.

[He eyes Stiles across the table.]

Is it because I wouldn't apologize? Or was the behavior itself upsetting?

Edited 2020-06-27 06:08 (UTC)

Right.

[ Working his jaw slowly, he considers how to answer. Itachi genuinely seems to want to understand his transgression, which admittedly goes a long way to soothing any lingering ire Stiles may have felt. ]

I mean, both are reason enough for me to get pissed about it. But you’re asking why too, which I could write an essay about. [ He crosses his arms over his chest, a sign that – like Itachi – he’s not comfortable. ] Let’s start from the top, with a less personal angle. What you did in my world counts as battery. In court, you could be sentenced to time in prison for it, whether or not you actually hurt me. Okay? That’s how serious a crime it is in my society.

[ Russell has gotten her beak stuck through one of the metal, mesh holes of the chair. Exasperated, he pauses to try and help push it back through while she squawks miserably at her master from across the table. ]

[The brief event of Russell's struggle distracts him for a few moments, his mind processing that information against comparisons he has made so far. Each individual in Aefenglom—those whom are Mirrorbound—come from unique cultures and societies. He's seen this firsthand in a few cases, but thus far he's drawn more parallels than differences. War, combat, politics, powerful abilities...

The world of Jonas and Stiles remains one he has the most difficulty fixing his mind around. There's no frame of reference, and yet it is meant to be the most common of all? This Earth?]

I witnessed some of Jonas' memories, and he spoke to me on the nature of crime and its punishment in your society. His own situation seemed especially severe. [It isn't one he agrees with, but this he doesn't voice.] You should not expect others to abide by the rules of a world they aren't aware exist.

[ Once the bird has been freed (she does not thank Stiles for the new scuff marks on her beak), he settles back in his chair. The mention of his best friend’s punishment draws a dark, complicated look; having seen the memory firsthand, he can recognize how out of control Jonas was. But he understands that the judicial system failed the other teen given his situation; Jonas never should have done time. Expulsion from school, community service, mandatory anger management classes, and therapy would have been a more appropriate sentence. ]

And you shouldn’t expect others to abide by what’s tolerated in your own world, [ he counters with a scoff, pausing to thank the waiter when their drinks are set down in front of them. The tea is ignored for the moment. ] You asked me why I was upset and I’m explaining it to you. This is just one layer to the answer.

[Frowning, he falls to quiet just as they're brought two porcelain-white cups of tea in metal strainers. Itachi's eyes study the curling plumes of steam.]

I understand.

[Or, at the least, he's making his best attempt. He ignores the interested clicking noises from Russell in the other chair, nosing forward in curiosity at his cup. A deft hand slides the saucer out of immediate reach.]

Then, by your standards, I committed a crime against you. But you say your offense is based on more than that.

Exactly. That’s the point I was trying to make.

[ Satisfied that Itachi truly does seem to understand, he takes a moment to scrutinize doubtfully the steaming cups of tea. The strainers are unfamiliar to him, so Stiles immediately acts upon a childlike whim by playing with his. Since the other man hasn’t yet demonstrated what he should do, he doesn’t try to take a drink. ]

Y’know, [ he begins, a little contemplatively, pushing the cup around in its saucer, ] Sasuke and I got along like cats and dogs at first. He did something that really pissed me off early on, something kind of similar to what you did. [ Mouth quirked fondly, he leaves the tea alone finally. ] He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back, just so I’d keep talking to him.

[ Stiles leans an elbow on the table, then rests his chin against a palm. ]

It’s the same back in my world. The supernatural pushing me around, infringing on my space and autonomy just because they were bigger, stronger. Dehumanizing me. Because they knew I couldn’t do jack shit about it. [ He smiles; it’s not a kind smile. ] I’m fucking sick of it.

[Sounds like a reasonable way to make someone talk—uh, I mean.

Itachi reaches for the strainer, buoyant in the cup, and gives it a tug. The hot water has begun to change a leafy-green color; similarly, Stiles will find his own leeching dark golden amber as the tea steeps.]

As an Arachne, you're stronger here. 'Supernatural'. [The word means little to him, but it's the one Stiles uses. Also, you webbed him up... but that's a topic for another thread.] I'm unused to handling civilians. It was rare to encounter them at all, and when I did, it was never a personal interaction.

[Everyone is a boring NPC unless they can fight in the shinobi world. Itachi stares into his tea cup.]

I won't commit... battery against you again, if it's something I can avoid.

[closed] wish there was something real

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my turn to fuck up

h e h /fin