partay

[steelmagnolias]

 [Well, Ren's here, just as he said he'd be. He'll buy drinks for any adults still alive that want to imbibe, but there's also a number of sodas in a cooler available for anyone who's a minor or just doesn't want to drink. He's also brought in some snacks from Yotsukoshi and a few of those crab buckets, although anyone else is certainly free to contribute their own food and drink to the pile. 

Ren finishes up his cigarette before setting up, letting it extinguish before everyone arrives. Look, he's being good, there's only one in the ashtray. 

Joey's got one of her dance routines planned, Ren already also had the King's Game set up, or people can just mingle.

It's just not good to be lonely.]

Comments

[byanyother_name]

That's what friends are for, isn't it? [That tiny hesitation on 'friends' is almost unnoticeable, really.

And yeah, Kurama is...not unaware. Let's go with that. He's not going to call Akira out on that here, though. What he will do is break off a piece of his pseudo-stolen cookie and hold it up to Akira's mouth.]

You don't need to work, Akira. This is Sanzashi-san's party, remember?

[theirmagic]

Well... if it helps him to feel busy, I think it's fine.

[ She's offering because she too can see Akira needs help. ]

[beguiledcard]

[ The look he's giving Kurama should be easy enough for the older man to read: I'm fine...

He offers Ursula another, small smile, before he nods. ]

Thanks... [ quiet sound as he lightly pats Kurama's arm ] Kurama's probably remembering what I told him when we first met.

[ Look, he's not doing too much! He's just going to help with things like... setting up the cups, or something. ]

I actually wish I could remember how I learned how to make it in the first place. I'm assuming it was... Boss who taught me.

[ To Ursula: ]

Who taught you how to bake?

[theirmagic]

Me? Well... I sort of learned on my own. I spent a large majority of my time in witching school, and the rest of my time training to learn magic, so I didn't start learning how to take care of myself until I was a teenager. It's not that my parents couldn't teach me, they were just both very busy people. Father had his shows, and mother is a very powerful predictive astrologian, so...

[ She taught herself, mostly. She'll set some things down and go to make some hot chocolate. ]

[byanyother_name]

It's almost as if I pay attention to you. [Yes, trolling Akira a tiny bit. His look is not quite sure it believes Akira's look but not pushing the issue.

Kurama has a cookie. He's fine, too. Completely fine.]

There are advantages to teaching yourself. You can experiment a bit as you learn.

[beguiledcard]

You must stay pretty bored.

[ Akira has the bite of cookie he got from Kurama? He's great. And also there's the cookie he "stole" just now off of the plate.

This one is different from the kind Kurama shoved at him, so he's going to return the favor by holding out a piece at him -- hey, this one is amazing, too. ]

That's true. When I was rebuilding a busted laptop, a lot of the fun was in figuring things out for myself.

[byanyother_name]

You're anything but boring, Akira.

[He was not quite expecting the gesture to be returned, he was mainly trying to get Akira to stop looking like that? So it surprises him a little, but his eyes soften as he takes the offered piece of cookie.]

I've been known to tinker with spices from time to time.

[beguiledcard]

[ There's a small, gentle smirk. ]

Flattery will get you nowhere...

[ One brow quirks ever-so-slightly at the look, and then he's quickly turning his head to hide the way his face darkens just the tiniest bit. ]

What kind of spices?

[ Yep. Normal conversation. In fact, as soon as Kurama's been given a chance to respond (and himself a chance to acknowledge said response), he's walking over to help Ursula a little with setting up things for hot chocolate so he can ask her: ]

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you and Croix known each other?

[byanyother_name]

It's not flattery if it's true. They do say honesty is the best policy.

[Kurama is left wondering if he really saw what he thinks he saw. He's not usually in the habit of doubting his observations, but... Things are complicated.]

Savory ones, mostly. The kinds that add flavor without heat. ...when my mother was ill, sometimes it was difficult to coax her to eat. So I did whatever I could to encourage her to try at least a little.

[beguiledcard]

But, does it hold the same value if it's an honest thief's policy?

[ A weak joke, but... hey. It's requiring a little less effort than it would have a couple of days ago.

There's a softening of his expression as he listens to the talk of Kurama's mother. The mention of coaxing her to eat does remind Akira of the effort he'd put into getting him to eat. ]

What was she ill from?

[byanyother_name]

Mm, we'll have to find an honest thief to ask.

[Kurama, of all people, is allowed to take that particular troll shot, and this eyebrow quirk says he knows it.

The almost-lightness fades for a moment at Akira's question, though. Kurama looks down, rolling a cookie crumb between his fingers and watching it crumble away.]

...a degenerative illness. Human medicine had no cure, the doctors said all I could do was make her comfortable until the end came or it went into remission naturally.

I stole a dangerous wish-granting artifact from Reikai, instead.

[beguiledcard]

[ Wow, Kurama, you have absolutely no room to say that, how d-... Okay, no, it does earn a small smile. ]

I'm sure we can find one around here somewhere... Maybe.

[ ... That explanation has his eyes widening, for sure. With a tensed brow, his gaze lowers for a moment. That sounds awful, frankly -- like it must have been excruciating... for both of them. One hand lifts to lightly rest against Kurama's forearm. ]

So, you used something with spiritual powers to heal her, instead...?

[ His gaze lifts. ]

Is she completely well, now?

[byanyother_name]

If anyone can, it would be us, correct?

[Kurama's expression shifts a little at Akira's questions, focus directing inward in a frustrated, confused way that Akira has seen before.]

I must have. Because yes, she is well after the night I intended to use the object. I'm not certain what happened, however. The outcomes of that night make no sense according to what I know, and yet my mother is well.

[beguiledcard]

[ He watches at face closely, his own expression shifting into something with concern. Hm... and he knows all about the memory gaps thing, though he isn't so sure what the gaps in this one could mean, since... he isn't Kurama.

But... maybe he can work his way into better understanding the redhead. ]

How did you steal that object, anyway?

[byanyother_name]

[The question makes Kurama chuckle, fingers sliding absently through his hair.]

It wasn't nearly as difficult as they would like people to believe, breaking into the Reikai Vaults and making off with their artifacts. Not for Hiei and I, at least. It would have gone more smoothly if Hiei had recruited somewhat brighter muscle, but needs must and I, at least, was working to an unknown deadline.

Reikai, you see, depends quite heavily on mystical seals and barriers. But unraveling mystical seals happens to be one of my specialties, and Hiei's third eye allowed him to easily find any keywords or items I needed.

[beguiledcard]

[ His eyebrows lift at the story... and then a small, amuse smile surfaces. ]

I see...

[ A thoughtful hum. ]

Third eye, huh? [ soft chuckle ] That's what I call my ability. I doubt it's anywhere near as impressive as Hiei's, but it does help me identify significant objects and safe routes without having to move from a spot.

[ He shifts in his stance. ]

It also helps me spot my confidants in a crowd instantly.

[byanyother_name]

Hiei paid quite dearly for the powers of his eye, though I can tell you confidently he regrets it not at all. Yours sounds impressive enough for your purposes.

[Kurama notices that shift, tilting his head thoughtfully.] Confidants? [It's an interestingly specific word.]

[beguiledcard]

He paid...?

[ There's a soft frown, but he gives a small nod after. ]

I don't think I would have been nearly as useful as a leader without those skills, actually. They got us through a lot of critical moments...

[ He gives a nod. ]

Yeah... I'm not sure where I learned the word, but it's one used to describe important bonds. It's almost like a partnership, in a way. While I help the person in the real world, our bond usually ends with me learning a ton of new skills and getting stronger Personas.

Or, sometimes, I even wind up with new items that help the team along in our fight to overthrow society.

[ A very calm and totally serious nod... though he gives a small grin. ]

Pretty sure you'd be a maxed out confidant...