(from behind the door, kotone can hear such a stupid argument. nothing out of her realm of imagination, though, with how petty both are, and, well, she know's dazai's several i's - irredeemable, irritating, insufferable, insistent, immature...
so, really, no surprise to hear chuuya yelling at dazai over his lack of cleaning, or refusal to do so, and the gazillion shitty excuses he's giving in this shouting competition.
"she's already seen it", and "what's the point, it's suspicious if i just clean it now!!!!", and more yelling, and yelling, and yell-- ah, a knock makes them quiet, and dazai just jumps at the opportunity to open the door with relief. see, he didn't clean, he wins, etc, suck it, tiny mafia, etc, etc, we know.)
Koto-chaaaaaaaan! Come in!! I won, so it's not clean!!
(you should not be celebrating this, you failure as an adult.)
[And as for Chuuya's side of the argument, he's perhaps even louder for some godforsaken reason, his responses varying from 'That's what normal people do when they have company, mackeral!!!' to a furious and slightly hysterical 'How the fuck is it suspicious to clean?!'.
The knock manages to shut them both up however: Chuuya is a few feet behind Dazai, trying not to scowl at the preening. He did not win, damn it.
Instead, he focuses on Kotone: The far more pleasant company here. She gets a smile.] He didn't win, he's just too lazy to pick up after himself. Sorry about that.
[Oh no, the boys are fighting... Even as she approaches, she can't help but cover her mouth to stifle a giggle, because really? Really? They're arguing about cleaning? Incredible. Is there nothing they won't argue about?]
It's okay, I don't mind! Thanks for trying, Chuuya.
[The diplomatic answer as she returns Chuuya's smile. She wouldn't expect anyone to clean before she showed up, but she appreciates the effort!]
So... dinner? You told me not to bring anything, so I didn't...
[Should she have ignored him and brought something anyway? It still doesn't feel right to show up without a gift of some kind.]
(absolutely nothing. they will fight over everything, at any given moment, for any reason whatsoever, it's been like that since they were even younger than kotone is.
but, hey, this is for her, so, of course, there was no need to bring anything, dazai would have pouted so hard. instead, he does a little theatrical bow, leaving some space so she can come in.)
Eeeeeeeh, if we're going to start really yapping about cleaning, you should definitely start by the ceiling! Some of us can't walk there! Are you gonna clean that?!
Yeah, I made everything so no need to worry about food poisoning.
[Pre-dinner show? Check. Not that these two planned on being a sideshow, but hey, Kotone is giggling so it's still a win. They really will fight over anything, honestly.
Chuuya tugs out a seat for her at the dinner table all gentlemanly like, already set with a plates and several serving bowls of food: stir-fry with grilled veggies, baked fish, soup, rice. It might be a tad too much for three people, but his concept of eating portions is skewed between him having an extremely healthy appetite and Dazai being perpetually a twig.
Chuuya elbows Dazai at the smartass remark though, shooting him a shush you look.]
And I walk up there because sometimes I want a few moments without you being a menace, geez!
[Well, she wasn't worried about food poisoning before, but the reassurance is nice, she guesses? Her major takeaway is that they really are funny when they're together, and it shows in the smile she gives them both.
But now she is curious, glancing up to the ceiling. Are there footprints up there...? She almost misses Chuuya pulling out the chair for her, because no one's ever done that for her before. Ryoji probably would have, if he'd thought of it, but she'd never given him the chance.]
Oh... thank you! It all looks delicious!
[She almost feels a little awkward taking her seat; it's just such an unfamiliar gesture! That, coupled with the family-style dinner, squeezes her chest with a familiar ache and widens her eyes a little, as if she can't believe this is actually something she's allowed to have. The last time she'd had something like this had been back in the dorm with SEES, first when Shinjiro had cooked for their impromptu party, and then again when they thought they'd ended the Dark Hour. Before that, she'd never really experienced something like this.
Then Chuuya makes her laugh again with the comment about the ceiling, and she presses a hand to her heart as the emotion pops like a bubble.]
Have you ever tried sticking all of Dazai-san's stuff on the ceiling?
[Sorry Dazai, but it's very funny to think about. Also, she's curious if Chuuya has to be touching something directly to affect it, or if there's any range to it at all.]
(unsure how, he did say he doesn't cook. well, he does, actually. just not for other people. and certainly not for other people without completely butchering it or drugging it into oblivion. it's so nice. he doesn't have to lift a finger in this household. look at him go! win.
but hey, he likes chuuya's cooking, at the very least, and add that to the things he'd never say it out loud. he called it 'passable', but it's quite a banquet, and it all smells mesmerizing. dazai isn't one to eat much, half their fights recently are so he eats, but alas, he will tonight, very sure.
taking his own seat, he rolls his eyes at chuuya's display of gentleman-y, understanding the look he gives him - ok, tone down annoying, 10%.)
Ah-- Koto-chan, whose side are you on? I don't have stuff!
[Honestly, that look on Kotone's face makes all the effort worth it, and Chuuya's smile softens a little as she takes her seat. Every interaction with Kotone he'd had so far had only reinforced Chuuya's opinion that she was a good kid-- a little lonely to hang out with Dazai of all people, but a good kid.
He ignores Dazai's eyeroll as he takes his own seat, smirking instead at the laughing question.] He's right, neither of us have a lot of stuff here.
[Except his clothes and his shoes, and his shoes were off limits for Reasons. 'Dazai has a crush on the guy who gave them to him' reasons.] I suppose I could stick all his clothes to the ceiling and watch him try to sang them all with his beanpole limbs. I might have to try that some time, thanks for the idea.
[Exactly who is the menace again? It seems like Chuuya is happy to give as good as he gets, with Dazai.[ Or maybe I could put all the booze where only I can reach, for once, but he'd just go to the bar.
not even a tag this is just the face hes making while chuuya talks
I'm not on anyone's side! [she protests with a mischievous laugh as she pulls a plate toward her to start adding food to. After witnessing the way the two of them go after each other, it seems only fair to instigate both sides. But Chuuya gets points for cooking and pulling her chair out -- Dazai only has points for the initial invitation. So far it's 2-1 Chuuya.]
He'd go to the bar, and probably take me with him, huh?
[She tilts her head and grins at Dazai. Don't think she forgot the time you tried to order her an Irish coffee back at the café. They'd barely even known each other back then! That was their second social link!]
Is there any stuff you guys would want that I could make or get for you? The locals have been really helpful when I ask them for things.
[Most people have trouble saying no to her, which she isn't above taking advantage of.]
(while chuuya talks, dazai bitchfaces, as previously established above.)
Do that. I'll make it everyone's problem. Walk around bandage-only! Ah, and speaking of the bar, you should definitely pay your tab, Chuuya, it's growing very quickly unlike you did. Koto-chan, your first drink should be in a better situation! You can have Chuuya's white girl wine.
(haha. haha. dazai the child? and in his defense, who do you think bought the nail polish!!! it's 3-2!!!!)
Mhm? There's nothing I think we'd need. I want my container if I can't have my dorm! Ah, impossible things.
Probably. Both of us were experienced drinkers at your age, honestly. [Said with a casual shrug. He gets that isn't the norm, but frankly the other teens he knew were even worse about alcohol than he was at Kotone's age. He doesn't see what the big deal is.
Things that happen when the law is more of a suggestion to you, rather than a rule you want to follow.]
And sure, why not. You can get hauled away for public indecency or something and I can watch and laugh. And you're the one racking up that tab, asshole, you pay it! At least I have good taste in drinks, you just drink whatever gets you drunkest. Whatever you do Kotone-chan, don't drink like he does.
[He scowls, peeved mostly at that 'white girl wine' comment.]
Nah, I don't need anything either, I'm pretty low maintenance. [He liked fancy things, but he could generally live on the bare minimum.] I've been doing a lot of odd jobs around town to help out, so they're pretty generous with me.
[That, and he was paying back a debt owed. He'd arrived in... quite a state, and had needed fixing up.]
[She hasn't seen the nail polish yet! She's mostly convinced it's a joke!]
I've never had alcohol. I went to a bar to get a Mahjong tile for someone once, though...
[Long story. Theo had really, really wanted it, and she'd had to make a bet with a drunk man to get it. Fetch quests really do be like that sometimes.
Either way, drink or no drink, she's happy with the food provided, digging in without hesitation. No point waiting for permission when she'd been invited, probably? Mitsuru was always the one who'd stand on formality.]
Anyway, I didn't ask if you needed anything. I asked if you wanted anything.
Finally, something we agree on! Being me is so expensive, and I'm just a poor detective, the Agency doesn't pay that good!. Be a lightweight! Drink fancy drinks that are super expensive! Live your best life!-- Don't play mahjong at a bar? Is that what the youth does nowadays? Ah, to be young...
(ah, well, he'll go get some wine for them, even if kotone doesn't drink, he'd like her to know she can let her guard down. he meant it when he asked her to let the adults take care of her for a moment or two. besides, it's not gonna do anything for him, he'd need a crate -- alcoholic, yes, we know. chuuya is one too, but his tolerance has always been laughable, and this time, it's not out of meanness that he thinks it.
kotone and chuuya share the same height, chuuya's a lightweight, but a little better due to practice, so, calculations, what can get chuuya and kotone not drunk, and well, dazai wouldn't ever? this bottle says the alcohol percentage is pretty low, so that's what he'll retrieve.)
You've already given me what I wanted, Koto-chan. You're here, and I did really buy nail polish! Both of us are satisfied with what we have, I suppose.
[Oh no you don't, Dazai--] First of all: You probably have enough money stashed away somewhere to support your entire damn agency for life, and still be filthy rich. Second of all, neither of us can access our bank accounts here, so we're on the exact same playing field. You're just lazy and enjoy being a pain in my ass.
[Chuuya rolls his eyes as he digs in once Kotone has done so, but as for what he and Dazai are in agreement on--
He shoots Kotone a bright smile.]
And trust me, you're far better company than the mackerel. You've improved my night loads just by being here.
[Chuuya is easily satisfied, in some ways. He's prone to getting lonely, needing people, but beyond that he doesn't need much. He does have one question for Dazai, though.] ...You managed got nail polish here? Seriously? Didn't even realize it was sold in this place.
Sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel old, Grandpa Dazai.
[It's said with a teasing smile. She didn't play, she literally just got stopped in the doorway and was able to make a bet to win the tile, but that's fine. Instead she gives the wine a curious look, considering pointing out that she's underage, at least according to laws in Japan, but decides it's not worth it. They're all criminals anyway, right? And she's been curious since hanging out with Mutatsu about what was so appealing.]
What colors did you get? Besides black, of course. [She holds up her finger as if struck by a sudden thought, brightening a bit.] Oh, can you braid my hair again?
What tells you I still had all that money? For all you know, I could have literally thrown it into a bag in the ocean!!! And I'm not that old-- I just don't know what high schoolers do these days!
(what a big ass bag - or bags. it wouldn't be so weird for dazai to go through such lengths, so maybe he did do that!! (he did not).
he's serving the glasses, including one for kotone, but there's a shrug. if she doesn't want to, she's not required to. no one will force her, of course. he digs in, though, happily tasting the food, and while his words won't be so kind, his face is definitely betraying him. he's happy, a miracle!)
Ah, Chuuya, you've definitely been improving! This is not bad.
(and from his pocket, there they are. pink, black, red bottles.)
Tada! I never lie when I'm negotiating! I said dinner AND nail polish!! Ah, and you should ask Chuuya, too. He also was bullied by Elise, he knows how to braid, maybe better than I do. Look at all this hair!
(and he makes a very, very high-pitched voice, a hand mimicking a mouth.)
Do my hair, give me sweets, are you listening to me? Give me sweets while you do my hair, I'm the world's most annoying ability to ever exist! This is the worst! Yap yap yap.
Neither of us went to high school.... or any school, for that matter. Why the hell would you know what they do to begin with?
[He rolls his eyes, taking a bite of his food with a small grin. He knows his cooking is damn good, so Dazai's 'not bad' is filed away as the usual backhanded approval.
He accepts the offers glass with a nod of thanks, taking a sip of his wine before continuing. He won't nudge Kotone on alcohol one way or another-- but it's there, if she wants it. He looks surprised that Dazai actually managed to locate someone selling nail polish out here, but his grin turns into a more pleased smile.] Huh... good color choices, actually. And yeah, I can braid your hair. Unlike this guy, I actually have hair long enough to braid, so it wasn't like Elise is my only experience.
[Hell, it used to be longer. He started growing it out at 16.] I can do all kinds of braids, even the fancy ones.
[He quirks a brow at Dazai's dramatics.] You are really petty about Elise, ain'tcha?
[She frowns a little bit at Chuuya's comment. She knew Dazai hadn't gone to high school, but they didn't go to any school?! Where and when did they take naps??]
I'd love it if you could do a fancy braid! I don't really do a lot with my hair normally, so that sounds like a lot of fun. Can I do yours, too?
[She beams at him at the offer to braid her hair, even as she reaches across to take a look at the nail polish for herself. The pink calls to her immediately, of course, but the red or black could be used for an accent nail, maybe...? It would make an impression, for sure!
But leaning back, she is curious about Dazai and Elise. She remembers him talking about some of it with her before, but! She'll listen again as she picks up her glass and takes a tentative sip of wine.]
I see that face, Koto-chan! We had education, just not school... And we did do some things! We played in the arcade-- we played in the arcade.
(let him sound hip and cool and totally in the know of what it feels and looks like to be a kiddo!!! it's called being delusional!!
there's just a smile at the interaction. it's going to be quite heartwarming as an evening, so it's just a little smile on the corners of his lips as he sips his own wine, can you spot that it's genuine? because it is.
ah, and look. she does trust them, doesn't she? have fun, koto-chan!)
Your mentor was a beautiful lady. Mine was Mori. I was with Elise a lot. 'No Longer Human' can only save me so much.
Hey, I did kid stuff! I at least hung out with kids my age. And 'course you can do mine too, Kotone-chan. It's been awhile since anyone played with my hair.
[The idea sounds fun, honestly. While Chuuya had 'hung out' with kids his age, there'd always been a divide. He'd never been able to be just a kid, when he was the one they'd looked to for protection.
In truth, he and Dazai were probably the most 'normal' influences on each other growing up, not that either of them would acknowledge it.
He can see that genuine smile on Dazai's lips, and his own expression softens in response.] Hey, Ane-san was a harsh taskmaster too, yha know. It wasn't easy or anything. Though I bet Mori skimped on manners lessons with you.
[He's never really thought of Mori's teaching style, never been on the receiving end of it beyond the day he swore himself to the Mafia. But he couldn't be that bad, right?]
[Oh, wine is bitter. She can't help but wrinkle her nose a little when she takes a sip, though she does a pretty good job of hiding it otherwise. She can't say it's the best thing she's ever tasted, but it's not the worst, either, so... she sets it back down again to eat while they talk.
Dazai gets a pout for his efforts when the only kid-like activity he can come up with is "played at the arcade"... in the back of her mind, she's already thinking of what they can do together to make up for that. He's already proven that as an adult, he doesn't seem to get embarrassed easily, so that makes it easier!]
Everybody's abilities are different where you're from, right? How do you get taught to use them if they're all different?
[They've both mentioned different teachers, but she also knows that Elise is also an ability, which means it's not the same as either Dazai's or Chuuya's. At least in Tartarus, using a Persona largely came naturally!]
(eyes never quit looking everywhere, so naturally, he sees her little nose wrinkle, and while he won't bring attention to that, his hand falls on her hair, a gentle pet because-- look, she's awfully precious. he feels a little blessed that she trusts them. he did make it very clear that he's an awful damn person, and here she is, right? what a good kid... pet, pet...
his other hand is very busy downing the wine with a total of zero class, though. chuuya gets drunk very easily, red on the face and drunk calling him, but this? does nothing for dazai. he needs like, at least six bottles of sake to get somewhere. should he-- ah, he'll wait and see.)
Oh, I didn't say it was! Koto-chan, his mentor? Absolutely beautiful, right? Also, super scary, super strict, I worked with her a few times... Oof. She's as scary as she's elegant!
(and that's actually an amazing question that she poses.)
Oh. Most people aren't, really. There's no ability-user school. You learn by trial and error. Sometimes someone can help you reach your potential, but mostly? Trial and error. I myself can't turn 'No Longer Human' off, so it's not like there's a lot of training there. Chuuya's own, though, completely different deal.
[Chuuya watches as Kotone takes her sip of wine, and sees that nose wrinkle as well. Cute. It's an acquired taste, for sure. Maybe he should find some sweeter drinks for next time. They've got fruit here, it can't be that hard to make some sangria or something.]
I was a wild little brat when I was a kid, so frankly? I'm grateful to her. I'd never be able to do half the shit I do without her teaching.
[Let's just not mention the torture lessons to Kotone--]
And eh, 'training' is a way of putting it I guess. As far as I can recall, I've always been able to use my ability.
[Well, it's the truth. Even if it's because he can't recall anything before. He pokes his mostly empty wine glass-- a dim red glow coats it, causing the glass to float midair.] So it's always been pretty much instinctual to me, just something I had to fine tune and work on expanding my finesse and techniques. But abilities are about as unique as the people who have them, so having a single 'teaching method' doesn't really work with us.
[She ducks her head a little with the pat, giving him a bit of an exasperated look. If she were pettier, she'd take another sip from her wine as if to prove that he doesn't need to baby her but-- nah. There's no point; he already saw it.
She just listens with interest as they describe Chuuya's mentor, deciding that the truth is probably somewhere between Dazai's assessment and Chuuya's admission. It's hard to make a judgement of someone without meeting her for herself, after all, so she just shrugs and nods, filing that information away in case it comes up later.
Instead, her eyes focus on the floating glass as Chuuya lifts it, nodding again as she watches it hover -- watching Dazai, too, guessing he's probably going to want to show off his own ability in return.] I guess that makes sense. If everybody's different, you can't really just... "one size fits all" for anybody.
[It's not unlike how they all had to learn their Personas individual skills and how to use them for themselves. They could be shown how to use the Evoker (at least, some people were properly shown...), but learning to actually use it had been the same trial-and-error for all of them.]
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so, really, no surprise to hear chuuya yelling at dazai over his lack of cleaning, or refusal to do so, and the gazillion shitty excuses he's giving in this shouting competition.
"she's already seen it", and "what's the point, it's suspicious if i just clean it now!!!!", and more yelling, and yelling, and yell-- ah, a knock makes them quiet, and dazai just jumps at the opportunity to open the door with relief. see, he didn't clean, he wins, etc, suck it, tiny mafia, etc, etc, we know.)
Koto-chaaaaaaaan! Come in!! I won, so it's not clean!!
(you should not be celebrating this, you failure as an adult.)
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The knock manages to shut them both up however: Chuuya is a few feet behind Dazai, trying not to scowl at the preening. He did not win, damn it.
Instead, he focuses on Kotone: The far more pleasant company here. She gets a smile.] He didn't win, he's just too lazy to pick up after himself. Sorry about that.
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It's okay, I don't mind! Thanks for trying, Chuuya.
[The diplomatic answer as she returns Chuuya's smile. She wouldn't expect anyone to clean before she showed up, but she appreciates the effort!]
So... dinner? You told me not to bring anything, so I didn't...
[Should she have ignored him and brought something anyway? It still doesn't feel right to show up without a gift of some kind.]
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(absolutely nothing. they will fight over everything, at any given moment, for any reason whatsoever, it's been like that since they were even younger than kotone is.
but, hey, this is for her, so, of course, there was no need to bring anything, dazai would have pouted so hard. instead, he does a little theatrical bow, leaving some space so she can come in.)
Eeeeeeeh, if we're going to start really yapping about cleaning, you should definitely start by the ceiling! Some of us can't walk there! Are you gonna clean that?!
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[Pre-dinner show? Check. Not that these two planned on being a sideshow, but hey, Kotone is giggling so it's still a win. They really will fight over anything, honestly.
Chuuya tugs out a seat for her at the dinner table all gentlemanly like, already set with a plates and several serving bowls of food: stir-fry with grilled veggies, baked fish, soup, rice. It might be a tad too much for three people, but his concept of eating portions is skewed between him having an extremely healthy appetite and Dazai being perpetually a twig.
Chuuya elbows Dazai at the smartass remark though, shooting him a shush you look.]
And I walk up there because sometimes I want a few moments without you being a menace, geez!
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But now she is curious, glancing up to the ceiling. Are there footprints up there...? She almost misses Chuuya pulling out the chair for her, because no one's ever done that for her before. Ryoji probably would have, if he'd thought of it, but she'd never given him the chance.]
Oh... thank you! It all looks delicious!
[She almost feels a little awkward taking her seat; it's just such an unfamiliar gesture! That, coupled with the family-style dinner, squeezes her chest with a familiar ache and widens her eyes a little, as if she can't believe this is actually something she's allowed to have. The last time she'd had something like this had been back in the dorm with SEES, first when Shinjiro had cooked for their impromptu party, and then again when they thought they'd ended the Dark Hour. Before that, she'd never really experienced something like this.
Then Chuuya makes her laugh again with the comment about the ceiling, and she presses a hand to her heart as the emotion pops like a bubble.]
Have you ever tried sticking all of Dazai-san's stuff on the ceiling?
[Sorry Dazai, but it's very funny to think about. Also, she's curious if Chuuya has to be touching something directly to affect it, or if there's any range to it at all.]
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but hey, he likes chuuya's cooking, at the very least, and add that to the things he'd never say it out loud. he called it 'passable', but it's quite a banquet, and it all smells mesmerizing. dazai isn't one to eat much, half their fights recently are so he eats, but alas, he will tonight, very sure.
taking his own seat, he rolls his eyes at chuuya's display of gentleman-y, understanding the look he gives him - ok, tone down annoying, 10%.)
Ah-- Koto-chan, whose side are you on? I don't have stuff!
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He ignores Dazai's eyeroll as he takes his own seat, smirking instead at the laughing question.] He's right, neither of us have a lot of stuff here.
[Except his clothes and his shoes, and his shoes were off limits for Reasons. 'Dazai has a crush on the guy who gave them to him' reasons.] I suppose I could stick all his clothes to the ceiling and watch him try to sang them all with his beanpole limbs. I might have to try that some time, thanks for the idea.
[Exactly who is the menace again? It seems like Chuuya is happy to give as good as he gets, with Dazai.[ Or maybe I could put all the booze where only I can reach, for once, but he'd just go to the bar.
not even a tag this is just the face hes making while chuuya talks
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He'd go to the bar, and probably take me with him, huh?
[She tilts her head and grins at Dazai. Don't think she forgot the time you tried to order her an Irish coffee back at the café. They'd barely even known each other back then! That was their second social link!]
Is there any stuff you guys would want that I could make or get for you? The locals have been really helpful when I ask them for things.
[Most people have trouble saying no to her, which she isn't above taking advantage of.]
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Do that. I'll make it everyone's problem. Walk around bandage-only! Ah, and speaking of the bar, you should definitely pay your tab, Chuuya, it's growing very quickly unlike you did. Koto-chan, your first drink should be in a better situation! You can have Chuuya's white girl wine.
(haha. haha. dazai the child? and in his defense, who do you think bought the nail polish!!! it's 3-2!!!!)
Mhm? There's nothing I think we'd need. I want my container if I can't have my dorm! Ah, impossible things.
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Things that happen when the law is more of a suggestion to you, rather than a rule you want to follow.]
And sure, why not. You can get hauled away for public indecency or something and I can watch and laugh. And you're the one racking up that tab, asshole, you pay it! At least I have good taste in drinks, you just drink whatever gets you drunkest. Whatever you do Kotone-chan, don't drink like he does.
[He scowls, peeved mostly at that 'white girl wine' comment.]
Nah, I don't need anything either, I'm pretty low maintenance. [He liked fancy things, but he could generally live on the bare minimum.] I've been doing a lot of odd jobs around town to help out, so they're pretty generous with me.
[That, and he was paying back a debt owed. He'd arrived in... quite a state, and had needed fixing up.]
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I've never had alcohol. I went to a bar to get a Mahjong tile for someone once, though...
[Long story. Theo had really, really wanted it, and she'd had to make a bet with a drunk man to get it. Fetch quests really do be like that sometimes.
Either way, drink or no drink, she's happy with the food provided, digging in without hesitation. No point waiting for permission when she'd been invited, probably? Mitsuru was always the one who'd stand on formality.]
Anyway, I didn't ask if you needed anything. I asked if you wanted anything.
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(ah, well, he'll go get some wine for them, even if kotone doesn't drink, he'd like her to know she can let her guard down. he meant it when he asked her to let the adults take care of her for a moment or two. besides, it's not gonna do anything for him, he'd need a crate -- alcoholic, yes, we know. chuuya is one too, but his tolerance has always been laughable, and this time, it's not out of meanness that he thinks it.
kotone and chuuya share the same height, chuuya's a lightweight, but a little better due to practice, so, calculations, what can get chuuya and kotone not drunk, and well, dazai wouldn't ever? this bottle says the alcohol percentage is pretty low, so that's what he'll retrieve.)
You've already given me what I wanted, Koto-chan. You're here, and I did really buy nail polish! Both of us are satisfied with what we have, I suppose.
(he's cute?? sometimes???)
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[Chuuya rolls his eyes as he digs in once Kotone has done so, but as for what he and Dazai are in agreement on--
He shoots Kotone a bright smile.]
And trust me, you're far better company than the mackerel. You've improved my night loads just by being here.
[Chuuya is easily satisfied, in some ways. He's prone to getting lonely, needing people, but beyond that he doesn't need much. He does have one question for Dazai, though.] ...You managed got nail polish here? Seriously? Didn't even realize it was sold in this place.
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[It's said with a teasing smile. She didn't play, she literally just got stopped in the doorway and was able to make a bet to win the tile, but that's fine. Instead she gives the wine a curious look, considering pointing out that she's underage, at least according to laws in Japan, but decides it's not worth it. They're all criminals anyway, right? And she's been curious since hanging out with Mutatsu about what was so appealing.]
What colors did you get? Besides black, of course. [She holds up her finger as if struck by a sudden thought, brightening a bit.] Oh, can you braid my hair again?
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(what a big ass bag - or bags. it wouldn't be so weird for dazai to go through such lengths, so maybe he did do that!! (he did not).
he's serving the glasses, including one for kotone, but there's a shrug. if she doesn't want to, she's not required to. no one will force her, of course. he digs in, though, happily tasting the food, and while his words won't be so kind, his face is definitely betraying him. he's happy, a miracle!)
Ah, Chuuya, you've definitely been improving! This is not bad.
(and from his pocket, there they are. pink, black, red bottles.)
Tada! I never lie when I'm negotiating! I said dinner AND nail polish!! Ah, and you should ask Chuuya, too. He also was bullied by Elise, he knows how to braid, maybe better than I do. Look at all this hair!
(and he makes a very, very high-pitched voice, a hand mimicking a mouth.)
Do my hair, give me sweets, are you listening to me? Give me sweets while you do my hair, I'm the world's most annoying ability to ever exist! This is the worst! Yap yap yap.
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[He rolls his eyes, taking a bite of his food with a small grin. He knows his cooking is damn good, so Dazai's 'not bad' is filed away as the usual backhanded approval.
He accepts the offers glass with a nod of thanks, taking a sip of his wine before continuing. He won't nudge Kotone on alcohol one way or another-- but it's there, if she wants it. He looks surprised that Dazai actually managed to locate someone selling nail polish out here, but his grin turns into a more pleased smile.] Huh... good color choices, actually. And yeah, I can braid your hair. Unlike this guy, I actually have hair long enough to braid, so it wasn't like Elise is my only experience.
[Hell, it used to be longer. He started growing it out at 16.] I can do all kinds of braids, even the fancy ones.
[He quirks a brow at Dazai's dramatics.] You are really petty about Elise, ain'tcha?
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I'd love it if you could do a fancy braid! I don't really do a lot with my hair normally, so that sounds like a lot of fun. Can I do yours, too?
[She beams at him at the offer to braid her hair, even as she reaches across to take a look at the nail polish for herself. The pink calls to her immediately, of course, but the red or black could be used for an accent nail, maybe...? It would make an impression, for sure!
But leaning back, she is curious about Dazai and Elise. She remembers him talking about some of it with her before, but! She'll listen again as she picks up her glass and takes a tentative sip of wine.]
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(let him sound hip and cool and totally in the know of what it feels and looks like to be a kiddo!!! it's called being delusional!!
there's just a smile at the interaction. it's going to be quite heartwarming as an evening, so it's just a little smile on the corners of his lips as he sips his own wine, can you spot that it's genuine? because it is.
ah, and look. she does trust them, doesn't she? have fun, koto-chan!)
Your mentor was a beautiful lady. Mine was Mori. I was with Elise a lot. 'No Longer Human' can only save me so much.
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[The idea sounds fun, honestly. While Chuuya had 'hung out' with kids his age, there'd always been a divide. He'd never been able to be just a kid, when he was the one they'd looked to for protection.
In truth, he and Dazai were probably the most 'normal' influences on each other growing up, not that either of them would acknowledge it.
He can see that genuine smile on Dazai's lips, and his own expression softens in response.] Hey, Ane-san was a harsh taskmaster too, yha know. It wasn't easy or anything. Though I bet Mori skimped on manners lessons with you.
[He's never really thought of Mori's teaching style, never been on the receiving end of it beyond the day he swore himself to the Mafia. But he couldn't be that bad, right?]
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Dazai gets a pout for his efforts when the only kid-like activity he can come up with is "played at the arcade"... in the back of her mind, she's already thinking of what they can do together to make up for that. He's already proven that as an adult, he doesn't seem to get embarrassed easily, so that makes it easier!]
Everybody's abilities are different where you're from, right? How do you get taught to use them if they're all different?
[They've both mentioned different teachers, but she also knows that Elise is also an ability, which means it's not the same as either Dazai's or Chuuya's. At least in Tartarus, using a Persona largely came naturally!]
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his other hand is very busy downing the wine with a total of zero class, though. chuuya gets drunk very easily, red on the face and drunk calling him, but this? does nothing for dazai. he needs like, at least six bottles of sake to get somewhere. should he-- ah, he'll wait and see.)
Oh, I didn't say it was! Koto-chan, his mentor? Absolutely beautiful, right? Also, super scary, super strict, I worked with her a few times... Oof. She's as scary as she's elegant!
(and that's actually an amazing question that she poses.)
Oh. Most people aren't, really. There's no ability-user school. You learn by trial and error. Sometimes someone can help you reach your potential, but mostly? Trial and error. I myself can't turn 'No Longer Human' off, so it's not like there's a lot of training there. Chuuya's own, though, completely different deal.
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I was a wild little brat when I was a kid, so frankly? I'm grateful to her. I'd never be able to do half the shit I do without her teaching.
[Let's just not mention the torture lessons to Kotone--]
And eh, 'training' is a way of putting it I guess. As far as I can recall, I've always been able to use my ability.
[Well, it's the truth. Even if it's because he can't recall anything before. He pokes his mostly empty wine glass-- a dim red glow coats it, causing the glass to float midair.] So it's always been pretty much instinctual to me, just something I had to fine tune and work on expanding my finesse and techniques. But abilities are about as unique as the people who have them, so having a single 'teaching method' doesn't really work with us.
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She just listens with interest as they describe Chuuya's mentor, deciding that the truth is probably somewhere between Dazai's assessment and Chuuya's admission. It's hard to make a judgement of someone without meeting her for herself, after all, so she just shrugs and nods, filing that information away in case it comes up later.
Instead, her eyes focus on the floating glass as Chuuya lifts it, nodding again as she watches it hover -- watching Dazai, too, guessing he's probably going to want to show off his own ability in return.] I guess that makes sense. If everybody's different, you can't really just... "one size fits all" for anybody.
[It's not unlike how they all had to learn their Personas individual skills and how to use them for themselves. They could be shown how to use the Evoker (at least, some people were properly shown...), but learning to actually use it had been the same trial-and-error for all of them.]
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