destinystrings | 02 - [CLOSED] Shine Off!!

Entry tags:

02 - [CLOSED] Shine Off!!

Who: Yamato Hotsuin (

jumyouboshi), and Kaito Watari (

awww_yeeeeeaaaah)
Where: Alcor's Apartment
Summary: Kaito investigates cryptic shit, finds bitty Yamato instead
Warnings: Awkwardness

[It was almost as if Yamato had never left home, with how easily he fell back into routine with Alcor and Cerberus. The surroundings were very different - smaller, for one - but he had his chess board, and his books, and it wasn't as if Yamato rarely ventured from his little hermit hole anyway.

Alcor's apartment was small and Spartan, and although kept clean, it was obvious that it wasn't very well lived in. That was fine by Yamato - his own room back in his world had been in the same state.

He currently had his nose buried in one of his books, perched on Alcor's bed with Cerberus curled up on the floor next to him. The chess game had been abandoned, if only because Yamato had been starting to lose and he claimed boredom and headache to wriggle out of it before a checkmate could be claimed. He wouldn't admit defeat on this day (or ever).

Alcor was a quiet, yet constant presence. It was actually nice, although Yamato would never voice this thought a loud.

Sadly, this peace was broken by a sharp knocking on the door. Yamato lifted his head from the book with a small frown, somewhat perplexed. This was Alcor's stead... who would come to visit him? Unless it was Miyako? Hmph, well, if it was, he'd answer it...

So Yamato, without waiting to see if Alcor reacted or not to the door knocking, closed his book, slid off the bed, and padded over to the door - Cerberus instantly lurching awake and lumbering after him]

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[He had such a bad feeling as soon as he got that cryptic message from Alcor. "Not as Yamato was"? Why couldn't Alcor be more specific about anything he said ever!? So, Kaito decided to check on Alcor and see what he meant, because that's what one usually had to do with him. Ahhh well. Might as well what's up.

But when the door opens, he's a little bit confused. He doesn't see anyone at first, until he looks...down.]

...Ahh, that...explains it.

[No wonder Alcor wasn't specific.]

[Alcor looked up from where he was when he heard Kaito knocking at the door. Of course, he could sense the young man coming, and could hear him from all the way at the other end of the apartment. He quickly floated over, trailing right behind Cerberus and Yamato. Soon, all three of them were crowded around the apartment entrance, curious as to who the visitor was.]

You've come. Welcome.

[And he flashed him one of his usual smiles, already giving away the fact that he was fond of the visitor.]

...

[Yamato stared blankly at the newcomer for a moment before glancing at Alcor... then at the newcomer, obviously wondering who the hell this person was. Alcor knew someone outside of the Hotsuin family? Yamato was genuinely surprised.]

Who are you?

[...Where to begin? No really, how is he supposed to explain what's going on to a...tiny...Yamato? Kid Yamato? He looks up at Alcor's voice, then looks down at Yamato again and tries to smile.]

Hi there! I'm Kaito. Alcor asked me to come over to...see you. [His eyes wander to Alcor again to confirm this as, while he technically didn't say that, he certainly implied it and probably figured Kaito would hurry over to see what was up.]

[Alcor nodded.]

...That's right. Come in, if you wish.

[He then floated backwards, gesturing for Yamato and Cerberus to do the same to let the young man in.]

[Yamato hesitated.

It was obvious he was confused, even though his expression was eerily blank. Who was this person? How did he know Alcor? Why did Alcor recieve him so favourably?]

...

[He and Cerberus moved aside, although Yamato's eyes didn't leave Kaito for a second, his gaze filled with utter suspicion]

[Kaito nodded and further entered the apartment, still trying to smile. The strange part was, the man seemed to act like he knew Yamato, but that couldn't be...right? Surely not...]

It's...really good to meet you. Alcor talks about you all the time, you know? I think somebody here has a big fan.

[Kaito immediately slipped into talking to how he would a child, though it's not really condescending. His voice is kind, and filled with interest, though he might be hiding something.]

[A big fan, hm? That is...both accurate and yet not. Terrible to explain, really.]

Indeed. I consider all who hold potential as worthy of my utmost regard.

[Other beings like...demons? Nnnnnnot quite. Just look at what happens when they step out of line. He floated back a little.]

Would you like some tea? It's green tea.

Ahh, thank you! [But he looks at Yamato, just to make sure he isn't imposing.]

Is that all right?

[Yamato openly frowned at the way this Kaito was speaking to him, his eyes narrowing in disapproval. That glare though was swiftly turned upon Alcor though, when the star offered tea to their... guest.

Yamato didn't particularly want this strange company. It felt intrusive. Why was Alcor including him anyway? It was usually just him and Alcor, and that was the way Yamato preferred it. He didn't know how to act around other people, because people were mostly idiots and he hated idiots]

...

[Yamato's gaze shifted back to Kaito]

No. I'm uncomfortable around people I don't know.

[Politeness had not been taught to him yet, and bitty Yamato was a lot more blunt with his words, mean or not]

[That kinda...caught him by surprise, even though it shouldn't have. He didn't know what else he was expecting...]

Ahh, I'm sorry. [What to do...he didn't suppose Alcor had any ideas.]

Well, why don't we get to know each other so you don't feel uncomfortable, then?

[...Nice save there, Kaito. Alcor sighed, but he kept the smile on his face.]

A wise idea, as always. You two may use the available space as you wish, to become familiar with one another.

[And to Yamato...]

...It would be rather impolite to refuse, since he has offered to do so.

[Yamato sensed the subtle scolding, but didn't acknowledge it, his mind busy trying to think of a different way to banish this invader. He came up with nothing. Short of chasing him out with Cerberus, Alcor seemed awfully keen for 'Kaito' to stay. He would just have to tolerate it then...]

Fine. [Yamato's tone has an edge of childish petulance to it] But I'm allowed to read.

[This comment may sound very weird to Kaito, but Yamato had enough social savvy to understand that reading whilst in company was considered rude. Alcor never minded when Yamato read in the middle of their chess games or conversations, so he felt that he should at least announce his intentions to the invader so they didn't think it was rude...

Which made no sense to a normal person, but Yamato was hardly normal]

Of course.

[Without further ado, he floated back into the kitchen, where it would take him quite a bit of time to prepare the green tea properly. Yamato never taught him how to make it directly; he only taught him what it meant to humans, and how tea ceremony was to be done. Otherwise, Alcor had to learn on his own, and he took it in stride.]

[Kaito's smile looked a little hurt, but he didn't seem to have any objections.]

Alright... [Part of him wondered what kind of books Yamato even read as a kid. Stephen Hawking books? Books about quantum mechanics? Stuff about demons? What a mystery... for the moment, he just stood there kind of awkwardly and waited while Alcor got the tea.]

[With the ground rules established, Yamato turned away from Kaito and walked to the bed. Cerberus, after discerning that the newcomer meant no harm, padded back to the far corner of the room, curling up like a docile dog.

He picked up the book he left there, and Kaito would be amazed to see that the cover was a very recognisable one: Alice in Wonderland.

Book in hand, Yamato hops onto the bed to perch on the edge of it, and he opened the book, finding his place immediately, and started to read. Without lifting his gaze from the book, he asked;]

How are your tea ceremony skills?

[Er, what.]

Ahh, I'm sorry, I was never taught. It always looked pretty interesting to learn, though!

[Yamato finally looked up from his book. He looked unimpressed]

...I see. Well, if you wish to talk to me over tea, you have to know how to conduct yourself properly during it. You should research the subject before coming round again.

[Aaaand eyes back down to the book. He seemed very engrossed in it...]

...No offense, but I don't think I could normally afford lessons.

[There's a pause as he thinks of how he can make what he just said sound less dickish.]

If you want, you can walk me through the basics so I don't screw up.

Hmph. Maybe.

[Yamato's nose was still buried into the book, so his words seemed dismissive]

We don't have the proper equipment for tea ceremony, anyway, so this will be a casual affair. Just don't slurp your tea or spill it.

[Alcor returned from the kitchen with two cups of green tea, one in each hand. The taste was surprisingly good, given that he had little formal training or knowledge. Perhaps he tampered with it or its molecules...? Or perhaps he made it of his own skill?

Either way, it was acceptable, he hoped.]

I have finished preparing them, as you wish. I hope you find them satisfactory.

[He telekinetically suspended one right in the air in front of Kaito, then one in front of Yamato, and floated a step back.]

[Ahh, that actually smells really good!]

Thank you! [He carefully took his cup, careful not to spill it, but didn't take a drink from it just yet.]

[Yamato closed his book and set it aside on the bed beside him. He reached up and delicately grabbed his tea, letting it rest on his lap with his hands curled around it.

He then openly watched Kaito, as if searching for any mistakes or poor manners, before slowly lifting his cup up and taking a small sip. He made every movement look very graceful and well timed - it didn't help that he was in traditional clothing as well, so...]

[Alcor nodded toward Kaito, obviously pleased with the gratitude. At least one of them thanked him...]

You are welcome, Shining One.

[He said it completely on reflex. Since it had been years since he last addressed Yamato as such, and only addressed Kaito as such much more recently, it was only natural.

Right?

...How terrible.]

[He was in the middle of taking a small sip, but thankfully he doesn't sputter, he just freezes, the cup still to his mouth. Leave it to Kaito to immediately read the emotions in the room and, at the moment, there's a sort of tension that's solidifying at the moment.

Kaito says nothing, he merely stands there with the cup to his face and waits for the blow up.]

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