maskormenacelogs | And this chaos, it defies imagination

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And this chaos, it defies imagination

WHO: Kirei Kotomine, Rin Tohsaka, Danger, and Abel Gideon
WHERE: House 7
WHEN: Dinnertime
WHAT: The residents of House 7 get familiar. Kirei makes dinner.
WARNINGS: These people...

[ Kirei Kotomine is in an exceptionally pleasant mood lately.

It isn't often that one gets to witness the horror and destruction of the end of the world, then survive it. The relief that might be felt another person isn't the same as what Kirei experiences; Kirei's belief was that he would finally witness that much beautiful death, as he always wanted, and it would be his final joy before his own demise. However, that is not the case. He survived, and he can see it again -- he can improve on it.

He's still learning quite a bit, after all.

For now, he focuses on simper things. They have been given a home, and he is varying levels of familiar with all of his fellow residents. As a result of being the sole anchor familiar with every person, he decides to play as host for the evening. According to the file handed to him at the initiation, the power granted to him by Lachesis remains, and he tests it now. Sure enough, he can still summon it: mapo tofu hot enough to bring tears to eyes even at a distance, the kind that is like swallowing hot coals. In other words: his favorite.

The table is set, and he waits to be joined. ]

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[ Danger doesn't enjoy meals-- eating in and of itself is something she avoids in general-- but her personal preferences aside, even she understands that socializing with her housemates will be an important part of thriving in this new place. And some humans do seem to take their meal times rather seriously. She's seen organics bond over meals-- an opportune time to gauge her companions and how they interact with one another.

She is prompt, the first to arrive in the kitchen after Kirei prepares the food. As she enters the room, that particular smell fills her sensitive nose, causing it to wrinkle as her eyes narrow faintly. She lingers at the fringe of the kitchen, unwilling to wander in closer towards that stinging aroma.

Her attention finds Kirei, her voice even flatter than usual when it comes: ]

What is that.

Mapo tofu.

[ Even though the question wasn't directed at her, the teenager girl had a tendency to speak up in order to draw attention to herself. Maybe it was an act of defiance in itself by denying Kirei the chance to answer. Their relationship seems strained at times, while at other times it was sickeningly aggressive. ]

I never understood the fascination with a Chinese dish back in Fuyuki City, but I'm wondering how this came to be here. You used to stink up the house when you made it before. [ Scowling. ] No matter, it's not important.

You can't be serious about feeding this to everyone.

[ Gideon isn't at home when the table is first set, arriving last. When he shuts the front door behind himself he hears the voices coming from the kitchen, but what he finds when he walks by is perplexing to him. Dining together like this is such a family thing, and most of these people are to him near strangers.

The smell of the food is powerful, causing his nose to wrinkle. He stands there in the doorway, catching the tail end of conversation. ]

I'm inclined to agree. Anything you can taste by aroma alone I'd be wary about actually ingesting. Seems dangerous to the intestines. [ He pauses, looking from housemate to housemate. ] So what's the occasion?

Rin is correct -- and I am perfectly serious. [ Kirei assures Rin and Danger with a smile, and he turns his gaze to Gideon when the man arrives. ] Good evening, doctor.

I thought the occasion would be obvious: we have a new home shared between us, and I suggest we all grow properly familiar. [ Kirei gestures towards the table, inviting them to sit. ] What better way than to dine together?

[ It all sounds like a polite, well intentioned desire, but no one will be capable of doing much talking if they actually consent to the food Kirei has prepared. ]

[ Danger continues to squint suspiciously, glancing between her housemates as they begin to fill the kitchen. In her mind, she gauges several things at once-- Rin's scowl, Gideon's skepticism, and of course, Kirei's smile. She still doesn't trust that smile, no matter what her feelings might be towards the man himself.

Still-- perhaps for the sake of their friendship-- Danger finally moves towards the table in a careful, unhurried way. She eyes the food with something critical in her expression as she lowers herself into a chair, stiffness in her posture as she sits with her legs directly in front of her and her back straight.

The smell is stronger up close. Are her eyes starting to water? Danger frowns, wordlessly waiting for the others. She's still trying to decide what to make of all this, but the fact that she's chosen to sit is acquiescence enough. ]

[ Oh, that's surprising. Rin's the type of girl to wear her emotions easily enough so when Danger seats herself with the intent of joining them for supper, she's torn. Either she joins in with proper social etiquette or she gives them a chance to escape by outright refusing. The latter might require making a scene however and she's done so well to preserve her family's elegant image in this new realm that the risk is one she doesn't feel like taking. ]

It'd be rude to turn you down now that you've gone through the effort to prepare all of this.

[ Not that she's ever needed a reason to be cheeky towards the priest, but tonight's different with the added company of their housemates. That's another one sitting down at the table without batting an eyelash at the spicy aroma rising around her face. A tolerance built up over several years is likely the case here. ]

Don't tell me you expect us to share stories while we're eating as well.

[ The greeting is responded to only with the tense barest hint of a smile, neither forced nor genuine. He looks from Kirei to the table, to Danger, then Rin, then the table again, eyebrow still raised skeptically.

Everyone else is sitting, though, and though he has little qualms with rudeness in necessary circumstances, reluctantly Gideon pulls out a chair and takes a seat himself even as the smell makes him grimace. May as well not start things off on a bad foot. He appears to have no intention to touch the food as of yet, putting his hands on his legs instead of the cutlery. ]

If you ask me, shared meals are more familial than familiar. Subtle differences in the type of commitment.

Edited 2014-02-01 10:16 (UTC)

[ Kirei glances between the three of them as they sit, and his smile remains. ] If I'd have known there would be this much protest, I would not have gone through the trouble.

[ It's the kind of prodding that he knows may agitate Rin, but it's hard to say for the others present. The 'trouble' of course is nonexistent; he summoned this food by mere thought -- but none of them know that.

With everyone seated, Kirei smiles and blesses himself. He speaks again, in backhanded permission for everyone to eat: ]

In that case, I won't press for grace either.

[ danger glances between her plate and kirei's smile before finally reaching for her fork. her appreciation of food is limited, despite attempts by her various acquaintances to help broaden her tastes, and her inexperience makes her even more cautious than she might ordinarily be. truthfully, she doesn't like most foods, and this particular dish seems particularly treacherous.

it takes her several long moments to overcome her better sense enough to spear a piece of tofu, which she holds in front of her face to squint at suspiciously before slowly, purposefully she lifts it to place in her mouth. her teeth hardly close for a first chew before her mouth opens again at the sudden heat that scorches her naive palate. tongue sticking out, she lets the tofu limply fall out back onto the plate-- as if the spiciness is too traumatic for her to even properly spit.

it's a rare break in her composure, one marked by her turning an accusing stare at kirei, tongue still hanging out like a dog's. words seem beyond her ability at the moment, but it's obvious by her face that she thinks he did it on purpose. she understands his nature after all-- though no friendship or acceptance can stop the burning that is presently destroying the inside of her mouth. ]

[ Most of the things Kirei spits out irritate her, but for the sake of appearances, Rin's not going to make a scene. No, there's something else that will do that for her. Watching Danger with a neutral look in her eyes, she pushes her chair out away from the table and rises to her feet. This is an ideal opportunity to speak out, to sass against the man and the other adults in the room.

Instead she takes to the cupboard and pulls an earlier purchase out. Without a word, she cuts it in half with a resounding chop of the knife and returns to the table to drop the the serving board and bread in front of Danger. ]

It'll absorb the oils and spices. [ Flatly. ]

You should have thought about serving it with something like this, Kirei. [ It can't be helped. She has to pop her mouth off to him. ] Unless your intent was to murder them, but you wouldn't do anything like that, now would you?

[ As if silently prodding something the others are unaware of, she'll place the knife down as an after thought. ]

[ Gideon doesn't mean to laugh at Danger, but he does smile -- it's impossible to help it. Only after Rin returns to the table with the bread does Gideon realize she'd gotten up, and he looks at her in momentary observation before glancing over at Kirei again, wondering what sort of relationship the two of them have. They certainly seem on familiar terms.

He looks at Rin's knife. Then, he comments quietly: ]

Should hope not. That would be a rather clumsy way of doing it. [ His mind feels fuzzy, thrown abruptly off-balance by the familiarity of this scene. But they aren't his family; he needn't overthink facetious commentary about murder. ] Unless prolonged suffering was the intention.

[ When he sees Danger begin to eat, he takes a mouthful of his own. Unlike Danger's pure shock and rejection, Kirei chews and swallows like it's nothing at all -- utterly unbothered -- and he answers Danger's accusing stare with a smile. In all their time together, Kirei has never seen Danger break her composure so completely. It's a cruel thing, considering their friendship, but Kirei is a cruel man.

He turns that smile to Rin as he takes another mouthful, watching as she slowly lowers her knife. ]

It would be a poor play, wouldn't it? [ He muses, although he does not deny intent. ] Surely you don't think so little of me?

[ danger's pointed stare only breaks from kirei's face when rin approaches to offer her the bread. she eyes the girl a moment, unsure what to make of being offered her assistance-- but the uncomfortable heat in her mouth seems to take priority, because after another second or two, she reaches for the bread, carefully tearing off a small piece to eat.

it does help a little, but she still doesn't speak. her displeasure is obvious enough without words. and kirei should know-- she's both a resentful and vengeful being, all friendship aside.

at least the others might see better than to eat it themselves. ]

[ Prolonged suffering does seem right up his alley, but there's no need to unnecessarily scare the other housemates, though she suspects they don't startle easy.

Silently returning to her seat, her gaze travels between the three other adults briefly before she picks up her fork. Danger's reaction may have been a warning, but Rin's expression doesn't change in the slightest when she takes bite after bite. ]

It's not as spicy as usual.

[ Gideon looks down at the food again skeptically, disinclined to touch it now. He gently sets down his fork beside the plate and pushes it aside just slightly, selecting instead a slice of bread. He's been more accustomed to blander foods these past two years anyway.

He comments, casually: ]

Never a poor play if it works. [ He tears the bread slice in two and takes a bite, chewing carefully. ] Am I right to assume you aren't normally a chef?

Is it not? I must be out of practice.

[ He smiles at Rin when she replies, then glances back at Danger. He knows he'll suffer some upset from Danger. Truthfully, he was curious how she would react. She knows now what he is capable of -- but did she think herself immune?

He turns his attention to Gideon when he speaks, continuing to eat without trouble. ]

No, not normally. It's something I learned out of necessity; I once took care of someone very ill.

But that was some years ago.

[ danger continues to tear off small pieces of bread to put into her mouth, chewing slowly and methodically as if the process is more conscious than natural to her. repeating this ritual a few times seems to help with the burn of the intense spice, leaving only a lingering sensation in her mouth. a few sips of water helps sooth away the remaining discomfort inside of her mouth.

of course, she doesn't touch the tofu again.

it's a bit catty when she finally speaks again-- she knows he was referring to his wife-- though she doesn't raise her voice, keeping her words steady and pointed: ]

Did you also attempt to poison that very ill individual in this manner? If so, she was a more dedicated spouse than I initially assumed.

[ It's as if she can hear the shots being fired across the table. If there ever was a time in which she wished to have the super power of teleportation, this would be the time for it. He's told Danger more than what she's known of Kirei in such a short time too--the spouse remark confirms that. Did Kirei ever tell her this was something he made for his wife long ago?

Not able to recall those years (as they were horrible and best left forgotten), Rin just looks towards Gideon apologetically. They've been caught up in some terrible lover's spat, haven't they? ]

[ A lover's spat indeed -- or a something spat. Less violent than some spats at the dinner table can be. Gideon's lip quirks into a mild sneer, brow quirking to match as he looks over to Rin. He, however, does not see the need for tact in this case. He doesn't feel intimidated. ]

Depends on what she was ill with. Hot food isn't without certain health benefits... but that varies from person to person. One with a sensitive digestive system may have more trouble.

[ He looks at Kirei again. ]

Where is she now, if I might ask?

[ When Danger speaks, Kirei meets her gaze. He doesn't look away, nor change the small smile on his lips, but he doesn't speak for some time either. For the first time, he's made Danger truly mad at him. Oh, she has been hurt before -- but that was work of the Porter; Kirei was tampered with, and she forgave that. This scenario has no easy excuse; this is purely of Kirei's volition. ]

No. She had no stomach for it.

[ He finally breaks the stare when Gideon speaks, and he takes another spoonful of his meal. ]

She died some time ago, by her own hand.

[ In the span of those years, he has forgotten much of Claudia: her voice, her face, all seem distant and foggy. He sounds remarkably casual about the admission, and that carries through as he turns the topic towards Gideon. ]

Were you a married man, doctor?

[ as gideon and kirei converse, danger rises from her seat at the table with her plate of tofu in hand. she moves wordlessly to the sink, as if she means to pour the remaining food down into the garbage disposal to be ground up into slightly less harmful chunks. but she lingers there a moment, as if something stalls her, then at length, as the conversation continues behind her, she instead turns to the counter. setting the plate down, she retrieves the saran wrap, covers it carefully, and puts the leftovers into the refrigerator.

only then does she return to the table, seating herself again quietly with no explanation of her actions. wordlessly, she listens to the exchange, dwelling on her own experiences with men's wives, dead or otherwise. ]

Isn't that a bit personal?

[ She knows enough of Kirei's personal life from investigating and snooping where she shouldn't. It isn't as if she knew that about his wife, but she can act as if she did. That's the difference between her and the peers she's known at school. Everything about her is a facade and she won't let it waiver in front of these strangers. ]

Speaking of wives present and past as if they are here. It's in poor taste, isn't it?

[ Gideon smiles, looking over at Rin and reaching for his water glass. ]

I don't mind -- a person should know who they're living with. I might even inquire the same did you not seem a little young... but it isn't ghosts we're discussing.

[ Corpses, rather.

He still glances down toward her hands to determine if there's a ring, more for emphasis than confirmation. He glances over at Danger, letting his gaze linger on her but saying nothing before he looks back at Kirei, not blind to the usage of "were." A little amused by it. ]

I was. But my wife is also dead. Seems we have that much in common.

Then would you have us shut out old ghosts entirely, Rin? They do say the dead only truly die when one lets their memories fade; they are kept alive so long as we speak of them.

[ It's nothing but a jab, aimed at a young girl who protects the memory of her mother and father so fiercely that she's tight-lipped. Kirei is not one to speak: Claudia's image is very faded, and if his memory is all that keeps her living, she is steadily dying all over again.

At least this time, it's by Kirei's will.

He turns his smile back to Gideon, nodding slightly, and he takes another mouthful. ]

It seems we do. That's quite a few things now, isn't it?

[ It's a small implication: curiosity about how deep that may go -- but he doesn't let that linger in the air too long, before he glances at Danger. ]

Not hungry?

[ there's something lingering in danger's face that on a less serious countenance might have seemed like petulance, but on her only presents as a persistent frown. when kirei turns to speak to her, she lets the question go untouched for a moment, as if considering whether or not to acknowledge him when they both know he did this to her purposefully.

at length, in a curt tone: ]

I dislike digestion as a general process. [ she eyes kirei as he eats without flinching. ] Please feel free to continue your discussion of deceased spouses-- or if that is distasteful, another subject which does not involve the current state of my stomach or palate.

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And this chaos, it defies imagination

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