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.] 
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no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ Do not correct him.
Much like an innocent child at the dinner table, he mirrors Itachi by dragging his cup closer and staring curiously into the liquid held within. Still clueless about the strainer – he can intuit what role it has, but not what to do with it after or when – he glances at the other man with a dissatisfied frown. Can they not drink the tea yet? Why the hell did the waiter bring the tea out before it was actually ready to drink? God, he misses the modern age of fast food service. ]
Witches can kick my ass with magic. Most of the Monster food chain can outpower me. Except maybe for an unturned, dying Vampire. I’m only stronger than I was. Not enough for anyone to actually respect me.
[ Sulking, he flicks a nail against the tea up. ]
Anyway, what do you mean by “if it’s something I can avoid?” Give me an example of a situation where you wouldn't be able to avoid it.
no subject
Generally herbal teas don't require much time to steep. A few minutes at most. However, ginger's flavor is somewhat stronger and is best left to a longer steeping period, around five to ten minutes. [His fingers circle his own cup as he lifts it to his lips, then speaks against the rim—] It's almost ready.
[Be patient. He takes a slow, considering sip.]
Sheer power isn't the only way to combat an opponent. You must play to your own strengths and weaknesses if you hope to be successful. [And now to answer that question honestly, even though he expects to broach disagreement.] An extreme situation, such as one where you pose a threat to others, where you're out of control, or where you're at risk of being harmed and you need to be transported quickly without an argument. [A pointed look.] As you are now, you would be a liability to me in combat. If I needed to make a decision in the moment to minimize unnecessary violence, I would disregard your wants.
no subject
[ The loud exclamation disturbs other patrons of the café and Russell, who puffs up like a fearsome dandelion hyped up on too much chlorophyll. But Itachi has to realize, ten minutes is an eternity when Stiles wants to try his tea now. With a huge, weary sigh, Stiles slumps in his chair like a sulking preteen to wait. The smell of the tea already has him more than intrigued about the taste. This is medieval torture. ]
That’s fine, [ he says eventually, then seems to realize how ambiguous his response is. ] About the minimizing violence thing. Ten minutes is still bullshit. If I was out of control, I’d want to be stopped. So, we can agree on that, at least. [ A look. ] No one’s transporting me anywhere without an argument, though. I hope you realize that, bud. Unless I’m unconscious. In which case, here’s a preemptive “screw you.”
[ There’s a teasing lilt to his tone, meant to indicate the words aren’t meant to be taken seriously. ]
my turn to fuck up
Ten minutes is on the higher end for tea. [To Stiles' impatient credit.] Ginger is simply a stronger flavor than most others. It can also become somewhat bitter if steeped too long. The same goes for any tea. [There's a balance, a perfect equilibrium, so listen closely.] I accept your disagreement. It doesn't change what I would do in that situation, if I thought it was for the best.
[So suck it. He eyes the boy's cup across the table, then glances at Russell contemplatively.]
... You could try it now. They've also provided honey, should you want to sweeten it. That seems to be popular here.
h e h /fin
Nice choice, dude, [ he tells Itachi later, as they prepare to part ways. ] I’ll remember that for next time. Your treat.
[ After firmly relocating Russell from his shoulder to Itachi’s arms – shoving her at him until the man accepts the obese bird – Stiles waves goodbye and takes his leave. ]