first contract ♚ closed

[killed]

Character Name: Midori

Who: Midori & whoever wants him
What: catch-all for closed prompts
When: anytime
Where: anywhere

Content Warnings: tbd.



( PM this journal or at pfle and we'll set something up. )

Comments

[killed]

[ Midori responds with a gentle laugh. He's correct, of course; there was a reason he was addressed with such affection here. He was sharp, resourceful, and one to assist others with getting what they needed. Resources here were in such limited supply that he had needed to get creative on several fronts. But such things were rewards in and of themselves. He was slowly becoming acquainted with the local shopkeeps, and several of them had started to truly warm up to him.

But none of that shows on his face, looking upon the cake as though he were doing no more than sharing a normal treat with a friend. ]

Of course. Sweets are better with friends, don't you think? She was so kind to make it for me, too, I would hate to be the only one able to appreciate it.

[ Bakers, too, wanted their art to be appreciated by as many people as possible. He thinks that angle might be more effective than simply treating it as a favor. ]

Besides, you've been so kind to me. It's the least I can do in return.

[undermoonlight]

Well... In that case.

[Atsushi can't say 'no' to sweets twice. The first time was a polite obligation and he's secretly glad to hear Midori pass on it. While Atsushi has done his best to be kind and helpful to the locals, he's never thought of getting things in return. He ends up in situations where his kindness is taken advantage of without him even noticing.

He lifts his fork thoughtfully, eying the cake in search of a fair place to cut into it.]

You don't owe me anything in return though, Midori-san. I'm just happy that you're settling in okay... This place is a lot to handle. Have you found a safe place to live? You are settling in, right? [how rude of atsushi to assume..!]

[killed]

[ There's a small chuckle as he watches Atsushi cut into it, but it's not unkind. He's pleased with this outcome. It's one of the things he misses about being a proper human. He had lived off of sweets some days, despite being a doctor. ]

I am, thank you. It's been a little difficult to adjust to living alone, though. I'm used to living with others.

[ He had been with Shin, he had coordinated with those in ASUNARO, and he had otherwise chosen to live around people. That was more difficult here, as he liked to ensure he had full control before deciding to stay with a person. He considers for a moment before adding, ]

Hmm... I wonder if I should get a cat?

[ Just a little joke. ]

[undermoonlight]

A cat?

[Atsushi is reminded briefly of Kyouka and the way she would look at the stray cats around Yokohama. He chews on his spoon while retracing those memories; They couldn't keep the strays in their already small apartment and it wasn't like ADA's office was a proper home either.

Maybe she'll get a cat when he's gone? Would it be the same as having him as a roommate..?

... No, he's a tiger. Very different.]

I've seen some people with animal companions here... Omens, I think? Is what they're called... Would that be the same thing?

[killed]

[ Omens, hmm? He's heard a little about those, but it's been quite a bit to take in since he came here. ]

Oh, yes, those are animal companions, are they not? I think that would be similar... Hm, I'm not entirely sure how to manifest it though. I think I heard it has something to do with blood magic - is that right?

[undermoonlight]

Most things here are some sort of blood magic, yeah.

[He can’t say that he’s fond of it. Atsushi’s distrust of the concept is why he hasn’t pursued his own omen yet.

… Well, there’s also the issue of him assuming it will be yet another Tiger. His Dream Guide was a Tiger too. It seems to be a theme for his life.]

Maybe yours would be a cat? Since I don’t know how else to adopt one here.

[And Atsushi thinks that Midori is set on a cat, not that he was making a reference to being lonely.]

[killed]

[ It seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding, but he's willing to play along with it. This is a fun conversation, too. ]

Hm, you're right. It might be hard to find one here... Ah, I hope so! I hope it's a cute black cat, or perhaps a tuxedo, one with white paws and just a bit of white on the chest...

[ He seems quite pleased with this topic. He'd like to loop back around to blood magic, but that seems to be an unsavory topic for many. ]

Do you like animals, Nakajiima-san?

[undermoonlight]

You really like cats, huh..?

[Atsushi hadn't put much thought into what a cat might look like. Cats are cats. He's never been in a position where he could understand the charm of having a pet, so has never looked at cats closely before. They just seem like extra work... and money... which he doesn't have...

He's a bit surprised to be asked about his own preferences, blinking into a startled expression.]

Hmm, well... I've never given it much thought before, but..?

[Atsushi smiles lightly, recalling a memory;] Bunnies are pretty cute, I guess? And cats are. Okay.

... I like fish and chickens? [he likes food.]

[killed]

[ Hm, Atsushi isn't an animal person. That was to be expected after he brought up the omens, but even so it's fun to hear his perspective on the matter. He must not have been around them very often. Did he have a difficult life, or was it just a mere coincidence? Most people at at least a couple that they were attached to in one way or another.

Fish and chickens, hm? He chuckles. ]

I see... Nakajiima-san is a food-motivated person, then? Hmmm... I see, I see...

[ He brings his hand to his chin and bobs his head up and down, as though giving this fact careful consideration. It's just a bit of gentle teasing, really. ]

[undermoonlight]

What? No, I'm not!

[Except that he absolutely is. It's embarrassing to be called out on it in that way, especially when Atsushi recalls the context of the question. He really did just answer "what's your favorite animal" with "chicken nuggets," huh.]

We had chickens at the orphanage, so uh..! That's the closet I've had to a pet, I guess? We didn't eat all of them. Most of them we kept for eggs?

Wh-What about you? Are cats your favorite?