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 Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:27 pm
Little Miss Shiny "Hm?" She looked to see what he was referring to and belatedly realized she'd left out all her research. "Oh! Mey-Rin. She asked me to teach her how to, ah... be beautiful, as she said it. I told her confidence is the most alluring trait and promised to help her find hers, and have been researching on how best to help her feel better about her appearance. It seemed a good place to start?" Her tone taking on a questioning note as they went back into the entry to head up the stairs to the second floor. "What do you think?" At the top of the stairs was a hallway with two doors on either side. She gestured for him to take a look into the first one, which had wood floors instead of mats and one wall entirely covered with mirrors and a ballet barre. The room across from it was the kittens' domain, set up with an enormous climbing structure, several cardboard boxes strewn about, and a variety of toys. "She did? Interesting." Kyouya mentally tabulated what he knew of Mey-Rin, and how she'd seemed to very slowly be coming out of that nervousness she'd had when he'd first met her. He added the complication of girls can be so strange, sometimes on top of it, and ran a couple of calculations. "Hm. With the caveat that I understand appearance can be a delicate subject, I believe it's a good idea." The delivery was carefully positive -- a subtle indication that he thought that she could probably handle that delicate subject appropriately. He knew just enough about ballet to make polite conversation, but his estimation was that the non-mirrored side of the room would have a lovely view during the daytime. He couldn't help a soft chuckle at the sight of the kittens romping throughout their own personal space, however. "So, have they actually taken over the entire house yet, or have you managed to suitably distract them thus far?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:57 pm
Ootori_K "She did? Interesting." Kyouya mentally tabulated what he knew of Mey-Rin, and how she'd seemed to very slowly be coming out of that nervousness she'd had when he'd first met her. He added the complication of girls can be so strange, sometimes on top of it, and ran a couple of calculations. "Hm. With the caveat that I understand appearance can be a delicate subject, I believe it's a good idea." The delivery was carefully positive -- a subtle indication that he thought that she could probably handle that delicate subject appropriately. He knew just enough about ballet to make polite conversation, but his estimation was that the non-mirrored side of the room would have a lovely view during the daytime. He couldn't help a soft chuckle at the sight of the kittens romping throughout their own personal space, however. "So, have they actually taken over the entire house yet, or have you managed to suitably distract them thus far?" "I confess, her request surprised me. But it took courage to work up the nerve to ask in the first place, so she must be in earnest. For someone who is ready to take help, I am happy to give it." She giggled at his question about the kittens, who upon hearing their voices had paused in their romping to sit up and eye the two people curiously. "We have an understanding, mes petits et moi." Shiny made a little shooing motion at the kittens, who took it as a sign to start doing what cats do best and act completely indifferent. The last two rooms were her bedroom, which was decorated in a traditional style but also had another large tv, several bookshelves, and wall hangings of earthy landscape style images. And the final room was a regular-sized space that had in fact been converted into a massive walk-in closet. Time for the kitchen! Back downstairs, it was the only room that was completely modernized, with doors to both the dining room and garden... and another, smaller tv.
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:15 am
Little Miss Shiny "I confess, her request surprised me. But it took courage to work up the nerve to ask in the first place, so she must be in earnest. For someone who is ready to take help, I am happy to give it." She giggled at his question about the kittens, who upon hearing their voices had paused in their romping to sit up and eye the two people curiously. "We have an understanding, mes petits et moi." Shiny made a little shooing motion at the kittens, who took it as a sign to start doing what cats do best and act completely indifferent. The last two rooms were her bedroom, which was decorated in a traditional style but also had another large tv, several bookshelves, and wall hangings of earthy landscape style images. And the final room was a regular-sized space that had in fact been converted into a massive walk-in closet. Time for the kitchen! Back downstairs, it was the only room that was completely modernized, with doors to both the dining room and garden... and another, smaller tv. Kyouya had not expected the large numbers of televisions; he mentally rechecked the number and believed he'd seen at least three. But then again, he supposed that if you lived alone, perhaps you got lonely, and the noise was comforting. Still, she really hadn't struck him as the type to rabidly consume mass media. Interesting. "Does your family have a voting slot for the Festival de Cannes?" he inquired, teasing gently. He approved of the kitchen. Although purely a workmanlike cook himself (he could read a recipe and follow the instructions), quality equipment made a large difference. "May I help?" he asked, unsure of what exactly she'd intended, with regards the food.
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 8:33 am
Ootori_K Kyouya had not expected the large numbers of televisions; he mentally rechecked the number and believed he'd seen at least three. But then again, he supposed that if you lived alone, perhaps you got lonely, and the noise was comforting. Still, she really hadn't struck him as the type to rabidly consume mass media. Interesting. "Does your family have a voting slot for the Festival de Cannes?" he inquired, teasing gently. He approved of the kitchen. Although purely a workmanlike cook himself (he could read a recipe and follow the instructions), quality equipment made a large difference. "May I help?" he asked, unsure of what exactly she'd intended, with regards the food. Had he asked, she would have readily given him an explanation. But since he hadn't, he got a quizzical smile instead, " Non, why do you ask?" "Perhaps you may!" Responding to the second question as she opened her fridge to examine the contents. "Let me see... I have shrimp pad thai, duck confit, and... masala dosa. Which would you like? Though, I suppose they can all be reheated in the microwave, so there isn't much prep needed."
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:44 am
Little Miss Shiny Had he asked, she would have readily given him an explanation. But since he hadn't, he got a quizzical smile instead, " Non, why do you ask?" "Perhaps you may!" Responding to the second question as she opened her fridge to examine the contents. "Let me see... I have shrimp pad thai, duck confit, and... masala dosa. Which would you like? Though, I suppose they can all be reheated in the microwave, so there isn't much prep needed." Ah, the downfall of being deliberately indirect, sometimes -- it did occasionally mean that you had to explain yourself. "Just that you seem to enjoy film quite a bit," he noted, with an amused nod at the television. "Hobby of yours, or ... ?" He considered the list. "That all sounds delicious, actually. Is there something that needs to be eaten first? Otherwise, I wouldn't mind trying a bit of each."
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 9:58 am
Ootori_K Ah, the downfall of being deliberately indirect, sometimes -- it did occasionally mean that you had to explain yourself. "Just that you seem to enjoy film quite a bit," he noted, with an amused nod at the television. "Hobby of yours, or ... ?" He considered the list. "That all sounds delicious, actually. Is there something that needs to be eaten first? Otherwise, I wouldn't mind trying a bit of each." "Oh!" Realizing he was referring to her tv's and presumably also her movies she bit her lip, that self-doubt she'd shown so much of in the beginning resurfacing. "Is it... odd, that I have so many?" She hadn't thought so, but here he was pointing it out and making subtle jokes about it... so maybe it was unusual? The company she hired to install her entertainment system had assured her plenty of people had that much equipment... Distracted by his first comment she pulled out the containers for all three dishes, mentally shuffling through possible ways to respond as she moved on autopilot, sticking the food in the microwave to warm as she pulled out serving bowls and cutlery, arranging two settings on the little breakfast table.
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Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:02 pm
Little Miss Shiny "Oh!" Realizing he was referring to her tv's and presumably also her movies she bit her lip, that self-doubt she'd shown so much of in the beginning resurfacing. "Is it... odd, that I have so many?" She hadn't thought so, but here he was pointing it out and making subtle jokes about it... so maybe it was unusual? The company she hired to install her entertainment system had assured her plenty of people had that much equipment... Distracted by his first comment she pulled out the containers for all three dishes, mentally shuffling through possible ways to respond as she moved on autopilot, sticking the food in the microwave to warm as she pulled out serving bowls and cutlery, arranging two settings on the little breakfast table. "Odd?" Kyouya reflected over the word for a moment. "Only in that you've never mentioned that it's something you enjoy. Usually people talk about their hobbies." He'd have noticed. She was quite willing to discuss her culinary endeavors, and her dance classes ... "Is there anything I can do?" he offered. She'd been kind enough to invite him over; he felt that at least he should lend a hand. "Make tea, perhaps?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:27 am
Ootori_K "Odd?" Kyouya reflected over the word for a moment. "Only in that you've never mentioned that it's something you enjoy. Usually people talk about their hobbies." He'd have noticed. She was quite willing to discuss her culinary endeavors, and her dance classes ... "Is there anything I can do?" he offered. She'd been kind enough to invite him over; he felt that at least he should lend a hand. "Make tea, perhaps?" She nodded and gestured to a cabinet, "Tea is in there, and the kettle is over there." Pointing to an electric kettle on the counter, her expression still thoughtful - though not nearly so uncertain anymore. "I suppose I just... don't think of it much as a hobby. Mostly, I like the company and what I learn from them." The microwave dinged and she went to take the food out, setting the pad thai in a bowl, and the duck and masala dosa each on separate serving plates, fussing a bit with plating them nicely. "Though admittedly, I'm learning a great deal about how differently things work in movies than they do in reality." The last part said with a faintly deprecating smile.
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 11:57 am
Little Miss Shiny She nodded and gestured to a cabinet, "Tea is in there, and the kettle is over there." Pointing to an electric kettle on the counter, her expression still thoughtful - though not nearly so uncertain anymore. "I suppose I just... don't think of it much as a hobby. Mostly, I like the company and what I learn from them." The microwave dinged and she went to take the food out, setting the pad thai in a bowl, and the duck and masala dosa each on separate serving plates, fussing a bit with plating them nicely. "Though admittedly, I'm learning a great deal about how differently things work in movies than they do in reality." The last part said with a faintly deprecating smile. Kyouya set about making the tea with practiced ease -- it wasn't like he didn't do this on a regular basis, even if the location was unfamiliar. Looking through the tea she had on hand, and comparing it to what was on the table, he settled on an oolong, and started it steeping. "I suppose it must get lonely, living by yourself," he agreed. Something about this part of the conversation nudged one of his inner, hidden nerves, and he quietly suppressed it before it could even fully express itself to him. The comment about movies and reality had him pause, as he'd been about to pour the tea, and he remembered that she was at least supposed to have been a recluse for nearly fourteen years. If that was all the contact she'd had with reality ... "Well, yes. Movies are planned to tell a story. People try to do that with their lives, but no plan survives contact with reality."
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:08 pm
Ootori_K Kyouya set about making the tea with practiced ease -- it wasn't like he didn't do this on a regular basis, even if the location was unfamiliar. Looking through the tea she had on hand, and comparing it to what was on the table, he settled on an oolong, and started it steeping. "I suppose it must get lonely, living by yourself," he agreed. Something about this part of the conversation nudged one of his inner, hidden nerves, and he quietly suppressed it before it could even fully express itself to him. The comment about movies and reality had him pause, as he'd been about to pour the tea, and he remembered that she was at least supposed to have been a recluse for nearly fourteen years. If that was all the contact she'd had with reality ... "Well, yes. Movies are planned to tell a story. People try to do that with their lives, but no plan survives contact with reality." "So I have learned. Still, I'd be without any guides at all for what to do if not for what I've watched. I'm sure you of all people have noted my... adjustment." Spoken in a wry tone as she set the dishes of food out on the little table. " Voila! Bon apteit!" Said with a flourish as she set the last dish down, grinned, and then took a seat to begin portioning out a bit of each dish for both of them.
"The duck came out a bit greasier than I'd have liked, and the dosa is thin so it breaks easily. Both were new recipes I hadn't tried before."
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 3:55 pm
Little Miss Shiny "So I have learned. Still, I'd be without any guides at all for what to do if not for what I've watched. I'm sure you of all people have noted my... adjustment." Spoken in a wry tone as she set the dishes of food out on the little table. " Voila! Bon apteit!" Said with a flourish as she set the last dish down, grinned, and then took a seat to begin portioning out a bit of each dish for both of them. "The duck came out a bit greasier than I'd have liked, and the dosa is thin so it breaks easily. Both were new recipes I hadn't tried before." "Itadakimasu," he said politely, before picking up his fork. It gave him a moment to mull over her statement. Yes, he had noticed. But something still didn't quite feel right, and that little shelved mystery had tumbled off the shelf and into his lap again. Push?"But surely you had someone to care for you, after your parents passed away," he noted, almost absently, focusing on the food. "You make it sound like you had no human contact at all." He speared a bite of the duck, bit carefully. "Hm, you could argue that it's too greasy, but if you put it over a salad, it would harmonize nicely with a dressing, and you wouldn't notice," he observed.
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 4:26 pm
Ootori_K "Itadakimasu," he said politely, before picking up his fork. It gave him a moment to mull over her statement. Yes, he had noticed. But something still didn't quite feel right, and that little shelved mystery had tumbled off the shelf and into his lap again. Push?"But surely you had someone to care for you, after your parents passed away," he noted, almost absently, focusing on the food. "You make it sound like you had no human contact at all." He speared a bite of the duck, bit carefully. "Hm, you could argue that it's too greasy, but if you put it over a salad, it would harmonize nicely with a dressing, and you wouldn't notice," he observed. The only thing that surprised her about his push was that it had taken this long for it to happen. She was grateful for the time in between, as she would have panicked only a month ago. "Being raised by servants does not afford one the same opportunities for interaction as a family." Shiny picked up a clump of noodles, then paused as she softly added, "I know you've looked into me, and my family, I would expect no less." For now she left it simply at that and began to eat, picking up the conversation a moment later on his suggestion about a salad, "You know I think you may have something there. Fennel and red cabbage, perhaps mandarin slices... yes, I think that might work nicely." Her smile warm and easy now.
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 5:10 pm
Little Miss Shiny The only thing that surprised her about his push was that it had taken this long for it to happen. She was grateful for the time in between, as she would have panicked only a month ago. "Being raised by servants does not afford one the same opportunities for interaction as a family." Shiny picked up a clump of noodles, then paused as she softly added, "I know you've looked into me, and my family, I would expect no less." For now she left it simply at that and began to eat, picking up the conversation a moment later on his suggestion about a salad, "You know I think you may have something there. Fennel and red cabbage, perhaps mandarin slices... yes, I think that might work nicely." Her smile warm and easy now. Kyouya looked up from his food. "Of course I did," he said, and there was perhaps a hardness there, where there had been a softness a moment before. "I research everyone. I'm sure you've observed that by now. Don't take it as special treatment; it isn't." But he let the conversation drift back to the food, given that she'd taken the diversion. It allowed him to take it as well, fall back, and reassess. "Perhaps some pistachios or almonds, in addition -- you'd want the texture contrast, and something to counterpoint the sweetness of the fennel and the mandarins."
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:34 pm
Ootori_K Kyouya looked up from his food. "Of course I did," he said, and there was perhaps a hardness there, where there had been a softness a moment before. "I research everyone. I'm sure you've observed that by now. Don't take it as special treatment; it isn't." But he let the conversation drift back to the food, given that she'd taken the diversion. It allowed him to take it as well, fall back, and reassess. "Perhaps some pistachios or almonds, in addition -- you'd want the texture contrast, and something to counterpoint the sweetness of the fennel and the mandarins." The attempted polite conversation about duck salad was forgotten in the wake of his retort, which had her looking at him in startled surprise. "I never said I thought I was special." She didn't, either. She thought herself damned fortunate, but now did not seem like the right time to say such a thing. "Stars, but I did not think you would get so... so prickly." The moment she said the word, an image popped to mind and she had to bite her lip to resist it. A choked giggle escaped anyways and she slapped a hand over her mouth, only to have her shoulders start shaking from the effort it took to suppress her laughter.
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:49 pm
Little Miss Shiny The attempted polite conversation about duck salad was forgotten in the wake of his retort, which had her looking at him in startled surprise. "I never said I thought I was special." She didn't, either. She thought herself damned fortunate, but now did not seem like the right time to say such a thing. "Stars, but I did not think you would get so... so prickly." The moment she said the word, an image popped to mind and she had to bite her lip to resist it. A choked giggle escaped anyways and she slapped a hand over her mouth, only to have her shoulders start shaking from the effort it took to suppress her laughter. "And I never said you did either," Kyouya pointed out. One slim black eyebrow raised at the stifled laughter, and he took another bite of his noodles, studying her nonchalantly. "I see I'm amusing you again." Though this time, in comparison to the moment at the steampunk ball, there was no half-relaxation in that sharp gaze; it was cool and distant.
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