deercountry | (closed) march catchall

[ At least Daniel is already recovered a little bit more by the time Makima stops by. Not all the way, sure, since the road of recovery from getting smacked around by a slab of concrete isn't exactly a short one, but at least he's not stuck lying down all day.

(He'll take it, honestly.)

Daniel is still weak enough though that his Omen can't help but be just a tad protective, moving to sit at Daniel's feet (like it's a lapdog, despite the fact that the shisa in full form is more teenager-sized) when there is someone in the dojo he's never seen before. The shisa doesn't seem hostile though - its gaze aimed at Makima is more calm than anything else.

Daniel's own greeting is not much different, though perhaps a touch weaker while he still isn't fully recovered. Still, he straightens to greet Makima (probably a little more than is necessarily good for him right now, since he faintly winces in pain), slightly nodding his head in greeting. ]

Hello.

[ She does not seem like she's here for karate. Especially when most of Daniel's students are teenagers. Still, it leaves him guessing as to what she could be here for, a touch of curiosity in the man's gaze when he continues. ]

I assume you're here for the dojo..? [ In some extent, even if she may not be here to learn karate. Most people wouldn't address him as sensei otherwise, after all. ]

[ she grew up in japan. makima knows how tatami works, given her shoes might be off at the point to step freely with her socks and pay respect (and keep his home clean). with her hands holding the bag in front of her lap, she moves toward daniel with a smile on her face. ]

I’m here for you.

Me?

[ Daniel's eyebrows move up as he says that, the man clearly looking surprised. There's visitors for the dojo or for one of the kids that's training here pretty often, after all, but it's rare for anyone to visit for him - aside from his handful of friends, anyway. But strangers coming here just for him, even in the aftermath of what happened? A rarity.

His eyes land on the bag for a very brief moment, but then they're already moving back up to Makima's face instead. ]

I.. see. [ Still a little confused, but mixed with something now that's clearly an attempt at being amicable. You don't work at a car dealership without knowing how to be that way even in uncertain situations, the corners of his lips faintly curling up. ] What's the occasion, miss..?

[ Clearly fishing for a name here, as if that might make this mystery more clear. He doesn't recognize her by face alone, at least. ]

Makima.

[ miss makima, but that was a title she was all used to. now that she’s close enough, she pulls a chair to sit by his bedside. ]

I heard Mob’s teacher was unwell after the accident. [ unfurling the package, she is now separating even smaller packets and a metal container of sorts. ] He lives with me.

[ He may already be sitting up - at least he can do that much at this point - but when Daniel tries to properly straighten himself a little more now he's fully realising that this visit is for him specifically, he does wince. It's still a little straining to sit, sure, but it doesn't feel right to just lie in bed when he's got a stranger visiting. The guardian of one of his students, even.

He seems to process the latter fact a little, briefly glancing at what Makima is grabbing there, but then his gaze instead travels back up to her face, a faint concerned, yet sympathetic frown on his expression. ]

I hope everything has been alright after what happened. [ With Mob, for one, but also at home. ] He seems to have taken it really hard.

It’s been hard on him. But, [ there we go; with everything ready in her lap, she now sets the mystery contents of her package neatly on the nearest nightstand or whatever would serve as one. it’s organized like it’s ready for a photographer, which may be a bit of aesthetic eye candy. ] he’s been getting help he really needs. If he’s a little distant these coming days, I wouldn’t think too poorly of it. I’m proud of him for giving it his all.

[ “don’t worry about anything weird” is what she’s trying to assure him with, here. now, daniel isn’t exactly . . . positioned the best way. scooting a bit closer, makima offers her hands in direction of his back and pillows, and asks, polite and attentive: ]

May I?

Edited 2023-04-02 11:49 (UTC)

[ Daniel was so caught up in thoughts about Mob - especially in the context of what happened the other day - that what she asks right after seems to snap him right out of any potential concerns for a moment. Sure, he did realise she brought something with her, but he wasn't exactly paying attention as to what she was readying there..

.. and he sure didn't expect that question. Even more so, really.

It leaves the man blinking at Makima once, then twice, like his brain needs a moment to come back from Worry Land and try to figure out what exaclty is going on here. ]

Uh-- sure?

[ But he has no reason to be disagreeable here, even though he doesn't quite know what's going on. It's not like he distrusts a student's guardian, after all, so Daniel is already moving - slowly, though, since it's obvious he still has quite a bit of pain in his back judging by the way movement makes him wince - to scoot forward so his back isn't pressed up against the pillows anymore.

He wonders if he should ask what she's about to do, but-- well, he will see it in a moment anyway. ]

[ she’s going to do the most unholy thing imaginable to man.

she’s just going to fix his pillow, just kidding. like literally fluffing it up and adjusting where it is, exactly, so it’s not too far below his back. just enough for him to ease up against without slouching. ]

That looked uncomfortable.

[ .. oh.

Huh.

Not exactly what Daniel expected. Not that he thought there would be something nefarious here, but-- it's also not like he expects a complete stranger to just fluff up his pillow for him. Daniel may have been fairly well-off back home, but his humble origins definitely make him look a touch awkward or flustered to have someone doing this for him..

Even if he's also nice enough to add an: ]

Oh.. Thank you.

[ An awkward thanks, but he means it!! In fact, Daniel is Daniel (read: stupidly honest in some ways) enough to continue to admit: ] I didn't think you were about to do that.

[ Don't mind him carefully shifting to lean back against it now then. Perhaps wincing a little again, since moving too much is still painful, but he tries to cover it up by continuing on to speak. Lightly, almost faintly jokingly. ]

Do you usually go around helping people by fluffing up their pillows?

I usually tend to be a surprise.

[ . . . that has so much more meaning to it than the current context, but perhaps it'll make sense. someday in the near future! in the meantime, makima crosses her legs and straightens her back, returning to the preparation of her "gift". ]

I wanted to thank you for supporting Shigeo, and I'm sorry for what happened. [ she gestures, now, and stands slightly to place the cloth and contents over his lap for observation on his own accord. ] I wanted to give you this— and get to know you more.

[ "this" happens to be, upon closer inspection, dried leaves of some kind. there's a little filter within the metal hourglass cup that can also work as a mixer.

the fragrance smells refreshing and a touch medicinal, but the herb has an subtle sweetness to it. ]

[ Daniel does look at it. With a look that definitely seems to be leaning towards the positive. Maybe something a little like herbal tea? It reminds him of the sort of things mister Miyagi always had at the ready whenever there was something wrong with Daniel when he was so much younger. ]

Thank you. [ Hence the genuine appreciation in his tone when he lifts his gaze from the items and back over at Makima herself. ] Though.. really, there is no need to be sorry. What happened was a pure accident.

[ Not that he's taking her 'sorry' as guilt or anything of the sort. It's just-- he doesn't want Mob blaming himself, so it feels easier to think of the entire incident in terms of it being a thing no one has to feel sorry for in the first place. ]

I told him too that everything can heal and be rebuilt. [ He'd shrug a little, but.. you know.

Can't really move his back and all that. ]

Accidents happen. The only difference is that this is on an entirely different level than I'm used to.

Indeed.

[ poor daniel. makima folds her hands into her lap, a leg crossed over another. ]

There's no need to worry. I'm not apologizing for him, [ because of course, it was an "accident". (although would it still be one if she knew what happened before, during and after, and simply chose not to intervene to gain the best of the outcomes? well—) ] but I do lament the damage that came from it.

[ hmm!! ]

I wasn't sure what tea would suite your tastes, so I chose an assortment.

I'm not picky. [ Which is true - when it comes to tea, anyway. ] Any of these would be fine. You can choose-- maybe your favourite, so we can have some together?

[ Daniel smiles a little as he says it. As far as he's concerned, it's nothing but a kind thing to come over and check up on him and even offer some tea while she's at it. It's not like she has any obligation to do so, after all, even when Daniel is teaching one of her kids. ]

It's nice to have something a little lighter in the wake of this.

[ Like just sitting here and drinking tea - even if he's still stuck in bed, making it not exactly the most normal of situations for Daniel. ]

For the kids' sakes too. [ Because that's an adult's duty, right? Being strong for the kids. Showing them that everything can be okay and normal again, even after something really bad happens. That nothing is ruined forever. ]

I'd love that.

[ she goes for the black tea and holds that up for him to see. she should get up to go make it soon, but you know what? conversation, good. or so many would say! ]

It gives us a chance to get to know each other, too. [ and after a pause, ] Do you have a favorite tea?

[ Daniel smiles a little. It's just a touch funny - the idea of sharing what kind of teas they like, as if this was some online personality quiz where that would give a very specific answer about them. ]

Jasmine. [ Still he answers. Effortlessly. It's not a difficult question for Daniel. ] The kind of they drink in Okinawa. Sanpin-cha.

[ It's been a while since he's talked about it though, the words feeling a little foreign on his tongue all over again. ]

I've tried out different kinds of jasmine tea back in the States, but it never felt the same to me. [ Of course Daniel doesn't even know if Makima is from a world where they even share the same countries as exist in his, but-- well, he figures his answer makes enough sense even without that context. ] How about you?

[ now, makima does not look japanese, probably . . . but when the language rolls off her tongue to accompany his pronunciation, it is native and fluent down to the t(ea). ]

さんぴん茶. [ she knows that one. delicious. ] I have friends down in Okinawa. The leaves have an unmatched quality to them, don’t they?

Oh?

[ There's a hint of surprise in Daniel's eyes. Nothing too much, since it's nothing to be baffled by - of course anyone could have friends in Okinawa as long as that place exists in their world. It's just not something you often come across. And while Daniel doesn't imagine they could be people he knows, since the Okinawa in his world and the Okinawa in her world could be different places with different people entirely, it still feels like having something quite rare in common with her.

It's nice. ]

That's right. That entire place is just-- it's really beautiful. It's truly something else. [ Despite the fact that the man still seems a little weak while he's recovering, it's like there's some energy coming over him just by talking about this. A real fondness. ]

It's where my teacher came from. He took me on a trip there when I was young [ or more like Daniel insisted that he was allowed to come along and used up his entire college fund for it.. ] so it's always felt like a really special place to me.

[ oh, how cute . . . makima keeps her smile in place, and just before she brings her own junction of words together, that very smile grows. ]

Oh, that long ago? [ is there a bit of jest in her voice—? age jokes between two adults are nothing out of the ordinary. ] I was stationed in Tokyo before Trench— Without a doubt, the countryside's charm and calm are unmatched, [ there's nothing better than getting away from the ruckus for a while, ] and also a favorite of mine.

[ Stationed, huh.

It's an interesting word to use for that, Daniel thinks. Not a weird one, for sure, but it does feel like it might have something to do with her job, if she's wording it like that. ]

Tokyo? Your life must've been pretty hectic then. [ Of course Daniel has been there too.

He's not a weaboo for nothing. ]

Everything seemed so rushed there, even compared to the Valley. [ No, Daniel, that's just because you live in your quiet rich people suburb.. ]

Yes. I’m glad I know the countryside to be able to discern. I might even be more of a country mouse myself.

[ she makes a move to lift herself from the chair and get going on heating up some water for their tea. it shouldn’t take long! ]

Is the Valley your home?

Yeah. For decades now. It's the San Fernando Valley. [ At least he thinks to specify, since to non-locals - especially to people all the way from another country - Daniel knows that it could just be.. any valley out there.. ] On the westcoast of the United States.

[ He pauses though when he sees her getting up, giving her an expression that's only very faintly sheepish. ]

.. usually I'd offer to get up and help you, but..

[ His voice trails off with a 'you know' kind of feeling.

Daniel can't even stand by himself, let alone get up enough to go make them some tea. ]

Oh, California.

[ "california" is said with light emphasis. she's had good education where geography and history are concerned! which really just means— she's taking this conversation and making tea right along. the water is boiled in no time, and soon there are two cups being prepared with the grace of japan itself. ]

It's why I came in the first place. Please rest, if not just this once.

[ she sees he's so eager to serve and please and help—

it probably crushes him when he can't, doesn't it? ]

Edited 2023-05-02 12:24 (UTC)

[ Hey, how about you don't nail him so perfectly and then call him out where he can't see it-- ]

You're still a guest.

[ It's not an insistent kind of protest, even though it's still said. Daniel won't throw a fit over this sort of thing, after all - even if there's a touch of shame or guilt (or both, mixed together) within him at the thought of having someone he's only now meeting for the first time taking care of him like this. Way to make a good first impression on the students' parents, Daniel.

He tries to bat away the thought by continuing, making his second statement a little bit lighter. ]

And.. it's also not quite how I expected my first parent-teacher conference, I guess.

[ makima's eyes only 👀

"parent-teacher conference". it makes the corners of makima's lips genuinely curl up. ]

Neither did I, but that's the charm to it, isn't it?

[ what she says following this may not be as humanly genuine, but she does mean it in her own way. in the same way any of them would love a pet to pieces, maybe. ]

I care a great deal for those boys. I'm glad we see eye-to-eye.

[ but: behold! makima makes great tea. ]

[ No need to even tell him to take some of the tea when she brings it over. Daniel is already grabbing one of the cups, holding it between both of his hands with a slight, but grateful smile. He can't feel the heat radiating from the cup ever since he found himself a coldblood in this place, but old habits of holding cups die hard. ]

Well, I imagine you do. [ Those words sound genuine too.

Why would Daniel have any reason to believe otherwise? Especially-- ]

Since you took them in. [ Not even just one kid. Multiple. ] It's hard to see all these kids out here without them having their parents around, huh? Makes you want to take care of them.

[ A sentiment Daniel understands very, very well - which is why he's offering it up here so easily. ]

(closed) march catchall

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