synflux | [closed] april showers bring may showers

[ oh................. my gosh..............................

.......................................

is it wrong she wants it for herself. as a serious gift. it is, isn't it. resist. resist. ]

If I'm right about who we both have in mind, he's gonna hate it.

[ but with the tone of we absolutely need to buy it for him. ]

You are, but...

[ As if on cue, the goose head flails about on its stupid neck. ]

...........

I kinda wanna give it to everyone, including myself.

It's really good.

[ like. look at it. she's pulling him inside. ]

What's the harm? If nothing else, let's get enough for all of Everlight and others of our choosing!

[ gebura would fucking kill her? ]

[ He doesn't need any further convincing. The costume shop's full of silly doodads that he'll surely look at later, but right now it's all about the goose hat.

Apparently, they're not the only ones who've been mesmerized by its appeal, because there's an entire three shelf sections stacked and piled with hats... ]

Good. That means we're getting at least fifteen.

...

[ Kaito tugs her a little closer to the shelf so he can scoop up a hat and settle it loosely atop the brunette's head. There's a little button on the left earflap, probably to make the head swing.

He beams. ]

It looks perfect on you.

[ oooh... it doesn't match her outfit at all, but she can't resist it -- she presses the button and the head wiggles, causing her to grin and step away for a better ~pose~.

this is more her. malkuth had dressed nicely for kaito, wanting to take into account the things she knew he liked and offer a hand to see where it might take them if she tried, but this, this goose hat that swings a little for about a minute, is more what she prefers. ]

By my count, Everlight has twenty-two people including us... I'd like to get one for March, Vergilius, Yesod, Netzach... Ishmael, Rodya, Wriothesley, Izou-- Ryoji, of course, and... Shizu would love this too, actually.

[ ...

hmmmmmm. that's getting to be a lot of people. ]

And there's still others on top of that...

[ This is more his speed, too. Kaito's never been one to care about dressing to impress, but he wanted to at least make a conscious effort tonight.

...And it all falls apart when he grabs another hat and straps it onto his head. He doesn't hesitate to start his own hat's engine. ]

Let me level with you, [ he starts, beaming. ] Why don't we just buy out the whole stock? I've got more than enough kryptos, so you don't have to stretch your funds too far.

No, Kaito! Other people want these too, probably!

[ but it's not as scolding as she might want it to be, laughter fighting the playful irritation in her tone, and malkuth turns resolutely back to the hats.

...

on the other hand, ]

They most likely have more in the back. This can't be their only stock, after all. Let's buy them out and hand them off when we're back at base.

[ Kaito and his goose head nod in tandem. ]

Sound idea. And the best part is that we won't have to stick out carrying a bunch of bags.

[ Kaito squeezes Malkuth's hand. ]

...Let's look for other fun things before we check out, yeah?

[ what, like the snowglobes featuring everything from hotels in days gone by to scantily dressed women clothed in nothing but feathers?

yeah, she's toddling them over to look at the more building orientated ones. they light up... and play show tunes befitting the gilded age. there's also funny novelties like mugs that say "for earnings" and shirts that claim "came to vegas to win it all, left only with this shirt on my back", but

there's a lot of fun stuff. ]

I want to take it apart.

[ fun for her, stuff. ]

[ While Malkuth marvels over the other souvenirs, Kaito quietly slinks his way over to a slender cardboard box. Swift sneaking takes him to the counter, where he purchases the 'mystery item' and stuffs it into his Domain.

He returns just in time to catch her comment. Several large empty plastic bags flutter in his grasp. ]

All of it? No reason you can't grab one of everything that looks interesting.

I went to the front counter to purchase our goose hats. Shall we pack 'em up before continuing?

[ Rustle rustle. ]

The snowglobes, mostly... I want to see what makes them tick. Mostly since I'm trying to study mechanics a little more.

[ so like, literally what makes them tick.

but she'll turn her attention to the bags and grin, going back to the hats to slide an armful off the shelf. ]

Whatever I get is on me from hereon, okay? You can pay for these [ wiggles her armful ] but I am not letting you spoil me rotten.

[ even if. it's not a bad thought. ]

Your loss.

[ Kaito starts opening bags. She can grab and dump, that's fair enough since he bought the whole shelf out.

It only takes a few moments, and Kaito proceeds to sweep all the bags up and into the Domain in one fell swoop. It is fortunately late enough that they're the only ones inside save for the cashier who looks far too underpaid to pay attention to the oddity of nearly a dozen shopping bags vanishing over the course of seconds. ]

You should look for a music box too, if you're studying gearwork. Pretty sure I saw one at the register.

Where do you wanna go when we're done, by the way? Tired of walking yet?

[ a music box... she'll have to pick it up. along with the shirt, for izou. at least three snowglobes, a music box, the shirt... hmmm. the hat that says "babygirl" in rhinestone pink. yeah. this'll do. she'll figure out matching gifts for her and her coworkers at some point. ]

I feel like I could walk all night as long as I'm with you, honestly. Maybe we can grab some overpriced snacks and take the long way back? I'd love some popcorn.

[ Kaito makes a beeline for a plain black baseball cap with ツンデレ printed boldly on the front. This'll be good for Verg. A kaleidoscope catches his eye; he grabs two.

That'll do for tonight's shopping. Kaito slinks his way to the counter to reunite with Malkuth. ]

You're gonna make me blush again. [ The goose head nods. He still. Hasn't taken the cap off. ] I'm down for popcorn and drinks and taking it slow. Maybe a pizza, too...

I like making you blush, so that's really not discouraging me any! And it sounds like it'd be a good night in if we had movies to go to, but I don't think there's a theater that still shows things on a screen. Everything I've ever found was just in our implants.

[ fomo for something she's never experienced... malkuth makes sure to take one of the music boxes kaito had suggested, its gilded edges sparkling in the shop's light, before she pays and has a few bags of her own. ]

The selection hasn't been lacking, though! I've learned a lot through them.

[ which is

a totally flawless place to learn about the world!!!!!! ]

No?

[ Beaming, Kaito settles his scarred hand on her shoulder. Squeezes. Maybe that's the most forward he's been tonight. In sing-song, he adds: ]

Best mind the consequences, then.

[ Once they're done with their final purchases, he hooks Malkuth's arm and snags her hand again. While they make their way to the nearest snack shop, Kaito rubs the pad of his thumb in her palm, seemingly in an idling motion while his eyes scour the streets. ]

Maybe we can buy a television or something when we get back to base. Make our own theater room. Or... find one in Tokyo or Kyoto and see about restoring it?

[ Kaito sends a photo through the implant. It's of the hot springs area; there's a lot of lumber and cats laying on said lumber. ]

This project's been slow going. I plan on picking things up again when we get back.

[ the hand on her shoulder and the sing-song of his warning makes her laugh, and malkuth doesn't shy from his arm nor hand when it comes to clasp hers. it sort of reminds her of how she and march walk sometimes, though not half as entwined -- it's just the same sort of comfort, her head coming to lean on his arm as they walk. the goose head unfortunately pecks his cheek.

so this is him being comfortable around her? affection enabled, without worry? it's nice, it's the closest she's felt to him in a while, and it's a relief. the idle motion isn't anything weighty, isn't expectant, just nice. ]

If you'd like a hand, just say so! Even if it's just painting once you're all done. And honestly, restoring something sounds really fun... I feel like I could probably learn a lot from the way things were -- I did when I studied the costal buildings by the beaches Marmar and I helped clean, a whole different geographical history would be something else!

[ because there was a lot of history there -- history izou had lived himself, for what it had been worth, and she wouldn't want to turn it into something that was too far gone from his memory...

... even if a theater would be, she could at least style it to be a little older... hmmm. that'd be fun, she'd have to get his weigh in... ]

[ Maybe it's comfortable, maybe it's bravely trying to be comfortable. Either way, it's nice. Best not to think to hard about it—because the worry is still there, Kaito's just ignoring it for as long as he can. ]

I'll put out a wanted ad when we get back. With how much of Tokyo and Kyoto that are abandoned, I'm sure we can stake our claim to a building or two and make a project out of it...

[ The closest eatery is just a few shops down, and they're... rather robustly stocked. Pizza, burgers, popcorn, scorpion...

Kaito does a double take once he's finished his first read of the menu. A bead of sweat rolls down his temple. ]

I... think I'll pass on the Scorpion Meal. Just popcorn and a drink. What about you, Malkuth?

[ Scorpion isn't the strangest item on the menu, either. Lots of lizards and other reptiles are up for dining, and the only salad item features cactus leaves... ]

Scorpion. And a cactus salad.

[ immediate. ]

I don't know if I'll like either, but I can't not try it! It might become my go-to.

[ and it's new! novel! her favorite traits!!! ]

Unsurprising.

[ Kaito huffs a laugh before leading them to the register and making their order.

As it turned out, the scorpions came out on skewers, while the salad was chock full of spicy peppers, avocados, and the nopales themselves, cut in chunks. Both would be easy to eat on the go.

Kaito came out of the exchange with a tub of popcorn the size of his chest and a pitcher-like container of soda that could probably induce Type 2 diabetes on consumption. ]

...Ah, America. The portion sizes here remain ridiculous...

I think this is great! And for such a deal, too...

[ well. comparatively. malkuth studies her scorpions, taking pictures of it and her salad to send to march later. she'll hate this. ]

You wouldn't even get sizes like this in the Nests, I think... District 23, maybe, they're famed for their food. Unusual as some of them are.

[ Kaito gently taps her cheek with the back end of a chopstick. Wait, that didn't come with the food— ]

The look on your face is telling me 'unusual' might be putting it nicely.

[ And back on the street they go! ]

Tell me more about the food. What kinda weird stuff do they cook?

[ it sure didn't, and she sticks her tongue out at him as she holds up her salad. try some, she's gonna take a piece of scorpion and crunch it.

her face lights up, pleased with her choice. also to... stall on the answer a little, focusing on the world around them. ]

... They're always trying to elevate their cuisine, and have for ages. The most fervent of these were the Eight Chefs, but in general those that follow the culinary path in the Backstreets there have found that to excel further in their field, they have to use ingredients the normal mind wouldn't see as potential main dish material.

Like humans, for example. The more alive the better -- they found that certain um, proteins and stuff broke down after death and could change the flavor they were seeking.

[ Kaito sticks his tongue out in turn as his eyes flash blue. From behind Malkuth, a clone sweeps around, forks up a bite, and chomps. He makes a very pleased expression before returning to the dragon, who's munching on some more popcorn. ]

That's good. Tangy, a little sweet, and just the right amount of heat. [ Munch, munch.

His crunching comes to a slow pause as Malkuth explains a little further. Kaito makes a face as they walk. ]

Wow. I can't say I don't see the vision—I've eaten with many peoples who consume human meat. We cook many animals alive for our own dishes. But to dine on your own...

I hope that's not the future for me, hah.

[ maybe she should set him up for childrens' birthday parties. they'd think it's a neat trick too. ]

It won't be if you don't want it to be, Kaito. They aren't people who'll be missed -- in fact, I'm sure the longer someone's lived, the more "flavor" their life has had, the better the ingredient. All it takes is the right chef to bring it out.

[ munch... she is going to make scorpion her new go-to. her salad will be tasted when she's done. ]

I won't lie, I kinda wanna try it at least once! They're famous and infamous for their dishes, and I'm sure it tastes way different when done by a pro.

[ dwbi ]

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minor cannibalism mention

[vine boom noise]

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