[ The bright side is Shino is less sensitive to these things when Murasame's outside of him as it is, or you know, someone isn't dying (death is a smell that he always picks up on), and whatever energy Ren does have isn't the same as what he feels back home... so he sure doesn't linger on it past making a mental note that Murasame noticed something was up.
Food is a more immediate and important topic than anyone pegged as little darkness, particularly when the guy in question is holding hands with what might as well be freaking giant darkness through no particular fault of his own. ]
A little adds up, it adds up! Plus, did the hug count for anything?
[ As someone who has not eaten much, and not eaten well, since he woke up on the moon, he's much more food oriented as a way of dealing with the rest of everything going on, including his increasing frustration over finding no sign of anyone from home here, and hearing how long the Moonblessed are going on being in this place without a sure-fire way home. Hearing people randomly disappear, and people think they return home, doesn't help!
So while he's bound to someone willing to go find a meal with him, he's taking advantage of it. Maybe they can skip along the way some smaller, caustic part of him thinks, but he lets the thought go.
He goes along easily enough, more at ease than maybe he should be, but trusting in this guy's sense of direction.
As the one who would just send Murasame to find Sousuke whenever he was lost in a new place, Shino's not exactly the type to overly worry about knowing exactly where he is. (Though really, without Sousuke here, maybe he should be.)
However... what is Ren talking about? ]
Teppanyaki? What kind of food is that?
[ Forgive someone from being pre WWII, but while he can break the word down into its parts, he doesn't know specifically what it means. Thus Ren gets a curious look that isn't asking after why he's a little bit of darkness, but instead, what in the world grilled plates is referring to, and if it's just as literal as it sounds. ]
It does...only a bit more than hand holding, but that's still something. [And, as Shino said, it adds up. Ren isn't concerned for Chroma himself, but when it comes to the newcomers, he tends to take more of a "teach a man to fish" attitude, in the sense of illustrating exactly how important it is that they get used to physical contact being a necessity here by not just buying things for them.
At the very least, the direction Ren's going in is taking them back in the direction of shops, so there's probably something over there even if it turns out he's gone the wrong way for the specific thing he's thinking of. Ren tilts his head a bit at the question, though, glancing back to look at Shino.]
Oh, are you one of those people who's from an older time...? [His tone says this isn't an uncommon conversation to be having here, but at least Shino doesn't seem quite as ancient as some of the people he's run into. As they walk, Ren gestures with his hand to indicate the shape of some kind of large, flat surface.]
It's more the way of cooking the food. It's done on a really big iron surface, and usually part of the fun is watching the chefs play around a bit with the food as they cook it. You can get a lot of things there, though - meat or vegetables or egg, basically anything you can cook on a big metal plate.
[Which is...most things, really. Big metal plates are a flexible cooking surface.]
[ A large, flat, metal plate sounds interesting, and different enough from the grills he's used to that he's instantly curious. The scents of foods waft from some of the shops they're heading toward, enough to goad his hunger and also his appreciation for learning about new styles of cooking that sound like...
Wait. ]
You're from a future time than mine. But still from the Empire of the Rising Sun?
[ Look, it's called the Imperial Capitol back in his time, going by longform older call-outs (or he supposes going with Nippon) is more because he's had it pointed out by now not everyone does. ]
This is making me hungrier... so the chefs cook it all right there for you, like at the street stalls in the Imperial Capitol?
[ ................. so anyway, he's from an older time. Just not that much older, but prior to the second world war. ]
[Well, if he's calling it that then Ren's definitely from a future time than him, and it's not just some weird coincidence that this guy doesn't know teppanyaki. Ren waves a hand rather casually at the question.]
We don't really use that name anymore other than when we feel like being fancy, but yes. It's not really an empire anymore, either.
[They do still have an emperor, but it's pretty much entirely a symbolic position, which turns it into more of a democratic monarchy type business. Ren's not really one to dig deep into politics when he doesn't have to.]
Right, they cook it in front of you. You can get things like that at food stalls as well - it's pretty common in Caihong too, actually - but it's more of a multi-course thing with teppanyaki.
[There's only so long you can hang around outside a street stall most of the time, unless they're specifically set up for people to sit down and stay a while. He finds that much less common with stalls than restaurants, though.]
[ He looks politely puzzled, but Shino as never all that invested in if Japan was an Empire or not; he's more curious what it is now because he has no guess, and it's such an odd thought for him out of the blue. ]
All your courses are cooked like that? This sounds amazing!
[ And the tantalising scent of food smells amazing, regardless of its origins. Shino's fairly enthused by this, tugging on their joined hands as he smiles at one of the Prismals waiting for a bus. He has no idea about these shelters or their function, but the older might-be-a-lady blinks her pretty, doe-like eyes up at them, her delicate ears flicking forward and her nose giving a rabbit-like twitch. She asks if she can help them, and Shino asks about the teppanyaki—not out of a lack of belief in Ren's navigation (he has no idea Ren is the worst navigator, about as bad as he is, only without it being because he grew up in the country and has never much had to navigate cities for himself) but more because he wants the best deal.
Which is how they're referred to a restaurant five streets away, through a zig-zag of names that Shino remembers, already flashing Ren a grin like, aren't you excited for this?! and restraining himself from anything like running and dragging him along.
Not that he's fully stopped himself from pulling Ren forward, but it's only so much that the woman laughs and makes a comment about young lovers and lunch dates that Shino doesn't hear (or care about, if he did), and waves them on their way. ]
No, we still have an emperor but they're not in charge anymore, I guess is the easiest way to say it... [Without having to explain actual politics things and the kinds of topics that Ren finds extremely dry.
Thankfully, the topic of food is an easy save, and Ren gives a little nod at his summation.] Right, it's like that. I'm sure you'll enjoy it~
[It certainly sounds like he's enthusiastic about the prospect of food in general, especially with how ready he is to ask for a pointer from the locals. Ren offers the woman a polite smile and wave as they depart, seemingly unfazed by the "young lovers" comment even if he looks more amused by it than anything else.
He'll be fine enough to let Shino tow them along if he wants to, though, since his own pace is relatively calm.] Well, that was easier than trying to remember the way myself.
[ He accepts that an Emperor isn't in charge anymore, since he doesn't care so much about those politics, too far divorced from his life. The Church has more presence, and who knows what to say or think about that? He doesn't even know much about them, either.
Though he probably should, all things considered. ]
What, you didn't actually remember?
[ He asks, definitely towing them along but having to stop at one of those Crosswalks he's learned about. It's still weird it's not legal to just... cross the street. Why this. When is it allowed? When is it not? What kind of law is this anyway?! ]
[Ren waves a hand like it's not important, naturally stopping at the crosswalk because when you live in a city as busy as Tokyo, that's just ingrained into you from the word go.]
Sometimes my sense of direction is a bit weird and I forget where things are, so it's good to get a second opinion. I might've remembered it, but I might not have.
[That's...unhelpfully vague, but since they know where they're going now, it's probably not important. As soon as the crosswalk light turns green, Ren gets them going again, because he's also used to having to get across roads pretty quickly to avoid five taxis unloading their horns at you for daring to exist on a road.]
[ Sensible for his time, less so for when Shino was walking the alternate Earth he's from. He capitulates to crosswalks, reluctantly and because in busier intersections he sees the merit, but regardless, it's a capitulation.
He has no room to judge, but he still levels Ren with a look of disbelief. ]
Doesn't that just mean you have a terrible sense of direction?
[ Shino: apathetic to directions. Ren: bad at them. Bless that he's not forgotten what they've been told, and while he's moving as soon as the light indicates they can, he's still shaking his head like the fact someone still tries navigating without asking his demon-crow to go find help is the weird one here.
(They're both weird.) ]
I got lost all the time in the Imperial Capitol, but I'd only been there for what, a few weeks? My biggest danger on the mountain was losing track of time.
[ Murasame's been sitting pretty on his shoulder, and he echoes what Shino says: ]
Losing track.
[ Which is more a reminder of the fact he... does in fact lose track of where he is and of time depending on his mood or level of distraction. Shino opts to ignore Murasame, taking them down another block toward their destination, closer to swinging their joined hands by now. His head's back in the good mood, going to eat soon place, and the rest of the tedious details are one's he's going along with for now. ]
this just reminds me of the dumb SMILES VS FOOD argument that was in another ccg anime
[Ren pouts a bit dramatically at the straightforwardness of that question, because as always, it's only fine to be straightforward when it's him pointing out everyone else's problems.]
You don't have to put it like that...I just forget where things are sometimes. [Like a door that was about three feet to his left that one time. Usually it's when he's focused on something else, but as aware as he might be of the people around him and what they're doing, that sometimes comes at the cost of maybe walking into a post or two.
Murasame's remark doesn't go ignored by Ren, though, and he points accusingly with his free hand towards Shino.] See, even your spooky crow says you lose track of things too.
[At least they're keeping moving, which lessens the chance that anyone's going to forget where they're going before they get there.]
... dare i even ask what this argument was/what that means
[ He says in return, lifting an eyebrow archly like this helps him make a point that losing track of time is not the same as losing track of his way.
Even though he does both, in unfamiliar places. ]
I said the only reason I got lost in the Imperial Capitol was because I was new.
[ Frankly, that means he should get lost here too, but unless someone else points it out, he's ignoring that particular logic. He doesn't contest his crow being creepy, since... creepy is definitely a valid assessment, and isn't something like "abnormal." He'll take creepy for the moment. ]
You at least stop to ask for directions when you're lost, right?
it was basically about which is more important to people who are downtrodden, it was very silly
How is that so different...? [Ren sounds rather doubtful about the fact that losing track of time is even remotely any better than losing track of direction, though he also does both. Often intentionally, with losing track of time, but also unintentionally when he's doing things like napping with his cat.]
I mean, if I get lost enough usually people can tell anyway, but of course I ask for directions. Or ask my phone for directions.
[The joys of map software for people who have absolutely no sense of personal orientation. A city like this which doesn't have a lot around it that can normally be accessed isn't exactly a difficult one to find those kinds of maps for, though he figures that kind of option wouldn't occur to someone who's from as long ago as this guy seems to be. Well before smartphones were a thing, at least.]
[ Obviously this is what the difference is! Or something like that, as he reads a street sign on the side of a building and frowns, unsure what the number in the corner means, but tugging Ren along with because it matches the directions he'd been given. ]
Do these phones really have maps on them too?
[ Sure enough, he's rewarded with the sign for the restaurant they'd been looking for, and his eyes light up, his stomach being a pest and growling even as Murasame calls out, ]
Meat! Meat! Meat!
Edited 2019-09-16 18:46 (UTC)
thx yugioh arc-v for handling card games and interdimensional warfare at the same time
[Or, more accurately, it sounds like something someone would say if they mostly just wanted to sound like something was different instead of actually thinking it was different. But Ren's still in dense face mode, so he's not going to point that out too hard in this particular instance.
While the sight of the shop they've been looking for is certainly a distraction, Ren nonetheless nods at the question.]
Mmm, the map app shouldn't be too hard to find on there. Maybe I can walk you through it so you don't get lost~ [Get it.] Anyway, it sounds like your friend is pretty eager, so let's go in...
[Not that it seems like anyone's really hesitating on that front, realistically speaking.]
[ It's absolutely just wanting to make it different because a difference in intent may, in theory, save his rear at some unknown future point. Which as it remains unknown, solves nothing right now, but he's not going to worry about this. ]
I wouldn't mind.
[ He says, flicking his eyes at Ren for the don't get lost even though with technology, Shino's absolutely been getting lost. ]
Murasame just likes food.
[ But fine, fine, in they go! Shino goes for the door, and instead of opening in or out, it slides back into the walls, startling him into jerking back enough not to be visible to others... but blindingly obvious to Ren. Murasame is worse, flapping his wings and falling off backward after smacking them both in the back of their heads (lightly) and taking to the air, only to land on the overhang above. ]
Murasame, stay out here! I'll bring you something to eat.
[ Shino, meanwhile, sees an opportunity to leave half his soul outside, so to speak, and darts inside the doors with Ren, half turning to eagerly watch as they close...
... behind the bird who flew in after them, and landed on the back of an open chair. ]
Almost worked...
my first main rp muse was from it and it was delightful to try and explain
[Ren looks like he totally has no idea why he's getting side-eyed for that remark, but at least there's food to distract from that subject. And also the brief moment of disguising his amusement at Shino's reaction to an automatic door.
And Murasame's taking advantage of it.] It's kind of hard to keep people out with those kinds of doors, since they close at their own speed...and that's assuming he didn't make them open when he got too close anyway...
[He's not sure a bird would set off the sensor, but then, it's not exactly a common situation he's had to field previously. In any case, he's going to just go and find a seat near the grill while Shino addresses his bird situation.]
I don't know how shops here are about having animals inside, though. Even if they're supernatural ones.
[It's kind of a health hazard in food shops, after all, but at the same time, it's not so much his problem since it's not his bird.]
alskdfj that's........ kudos that you managed it laskdjf
[ Shino blinks: this is not a problem in his time. For some reason. Because, well, it was before health codes, but that's not the point. He gazes at the room with the people inside showing all kinds of features, lifts an eyebrow, and then lifts their joined arms. ]
Murasame!
[ He calls out, and with a brief look, the crow turns into a creature of light that shoots back from where he'd been roosting to flow as light into Shino's skin, reforming the tattoo from earlier. The host about to ask if they were looking to be seated looks starstruck at this, their hands held up to their beak-mouth, and Shino seems to realise how odd this is a half moment later, angling a step back and... partly behind Ren. The host doesn't look any less excited or starry eyed when they seat them, and Shino more or less uses Ren as a physical shield between himself and said host, particularly since the staring doesn't let up.
Yeesh! Look, bird-host, it's just a thing that he can do! It happened! Let him live! ]
he was my longest run in a game so i had plenty of time at least
[Ren's just going to ignore that starstruck look and talk to the host like nothing happened, waving a hand to get their attention.]
This guy here hasn't been to a restaurant like this before, so can you give him some recommendations?
[Ren gestures towards Shino, because he is also most definitely ignoring Shino's attempts to use him as a human shield against the host in favour of getting him some actual good service. One advantage of that whole scene is that the host looks only too happy to start offering their own suggestions, and holds out a menu towards Shino so he can immediately start pointing to various things on it and talking about how good they'd be for a first-timer.
Ren, for his part, picks up a menu himself and starts browsing it like someone who's done this a thousand times before.] If they have a set course or something that gives you a lot of options, that could be a good choice too...
[ Shino says, because Ren might be ignoring him trying to use him as a shield, but unless Ren's hauling him back around to not let himself be used as a shield, Shino is still... going to take advantage of being the shorter one here. Ren's thin, and Shino's not particularly bulky either, but it's height that Ren has and Shino's taking advantage of.
Honestly, he doesn't like this kind of attention. Too nonsensical, too overbearing.
The server is happy to relate they do have a set course, rattles off further options, and Shino stares almost glossy eyed at the menu before finally jabbing a finger at something with beef involved and says, ]
This one.
[ He doesn't even care, just stop! Stop! He just wants food, not this!
It's enough for the moment, since after asking if he wants anything to drink and being met with a quiet moment followed by, "Tea," the server's turning expectant eyes to Ren. ]
Edited 2019-09-24 07:25 (UTC)
it did help that there were actual serious war scenes b/c hard light holograms used as weapons
[Ren is very used to this style of dining and level of variety, so while he's definitely noticing Shino's withdrawn air, it takes him a few moments to connect that it's being overwhelmed more than just being shy.
When the server turns to him, Ren hums a little in amusement and sets down the menu.] How about we share what he ordered and also get the five-course set for the two of us? And I'll have tea as well.
[He feels like it's nicer to have the full experience in a place like this, even if Shino is more inclined to hide from things right now. In any case, the host bustles off to get things ready rather quickly once Ren makes that request, and he leans an elbow on the table, half-turned towards Shino.]
I hope you don't get overwhelmed that easily by him cooking in front of you, or this might not be the kind of restaurant for you...
[ He audibly breathes out in a sigh of relief with the host bustling off, and he blinks, narrowing his eyes at Ren. ]
I'm not overwhelmed.
[ ... But he is, and he knows it, or seems to realise that's what this is a moment later. Shino grimaces, and corrects himself: ]
Much. Besides, cooking isn't overwhelming, and everything smells really great here. I'm fine. [ Another pause, and a more awkward: ] I'll be fine.
[ That said, he does regard the whole area where the cook will be cooking with curious eyes, relaxing in fractions when no one else is bustling over and making a fuss right away. The tea is delivered, and he turns to watch the busser delivering it, offering them a smile and a thank you. Part of it is to show how not overwhelmed he is, and the rest of it is his better nature and a sense of politeness and gratitude for service like this, which is promptly forgotten when it's someone he knows doing the serving.
So it goes. ]
it involved building-sized robots levelling a city so yes
[Ren accepts the tea graciously and then turns his attention back to the grill in front of them, where the chef is starting to rub down and coat the surface for cooking and set the ingredients aside. Plates are prepared in front of them in turn for easy transfer of the food, with a few options of different sauces set down while things are prepared.]
Well, it's probably good to get used to this kind of thing early anyway. I know this is different compared to what a lot of people from older time periods are used to, but the city is so big and busy that it's kind of hard to avoid getting out in that kind of bustle.
[Ren's used to it, considering the size and scale of modern Tokyo, but he's met plenty of people who need a bit of time to register that things here really aren't the same as what they're used to. Which is understandable enough, when this place is a tiny bit more advanced even compared to what he's used to.]
[ Shino practically breathes out, eyes widened so he can better watch with avid interest as the chef finishes setting up. He licks his lips without thinking about it when the first ingredient is tossed on the grill, followed by its particular pairing. All this being done right there is like sitting in the kitchen with whomever's cooking for the night, only not at the same time. Both somewhat familiar and starkly different.
The utensils, at least, are sensible. ]
I'd never seen a city until the last few months, and now this make that city look like my village in comparison. Everything's so loud, it smells, it's filled with lights even brighter than the Imperial Capitol, and there are laws I know nothing about that still exist. Does anyone tell us what those are?
[ The unwritten and written rules for living here. Most laws were ones he didn't know the exact wording of back home, but he had a cultural context for things, and he could figure out from that what was going on even if he lacked specifics. Here... he's not even supposed to cross roads except in designated places.
Those thoughts aren't as pressing as the wonderful smells cooking up on the grill, and as the chef serves them up their starter, Shino is... looking down at their hands before picking up his chopsticks with his left hand. He's not elegant with it, but he has a good hold, and he does manage to feed himself one handed that way.
After dropping things three times.
It's a learning curve, okay?
Once he has that in mouth and chewing, he makes a noise of pure bliss. Not that he speaks until he's swallowed, and even then it's crowing about how wonderful it is. ]
This is so good! Don't tell me the rest is going to be even better?
[ Bright, excited eyes again, as if he's setting so many of the things he has no power over down in order to fully engage in this moment with a meal: something that he can fully enjoy and be fully present for. ]
Not really. [Ren answers that question about the laws pretty straightforwardly, because in his experience...no, most of that stuff is what they have to figure out for themselves.] But the capital of Japan is way bigger than that in my time. It's a pretty good rival for this city.
[Megalopolis that it is. This city might have multiple storeys, but Tokyo has the advantage of basically spreading out into the distance as far as one can see in any direction, so he figures that probably makes up for the lack of multiple levels.
Ren at least managed to get his good hand free, so he has less trouble with the utensils situation and starts eating while Shino is still dropping things. He smiles a little when the other man finally gets something into his mouth, though, because that's the kind of reaction he was expecting when it came to a place like this.]
Well, this is just the starter. It'd be a bit disappointing if the best they had was what came first, right? So obviously it's going to get better.
[Or at least not get worse. That sort of thing is bad form for any restaurant, let alone one where the chef is making a lot of the decisions.]
[ Shino pauses to try and wrap his head around what Ren's describing. The problem? He just can't. There's no scope or scale he can use other than Lunatia, and Lunatia didn't even make sense to him once he started paying attention to the spread of the city before him during landings at the space station ports. Having a rival that big in Japan?
He whistles, more of his tongue tucked up against the roof of his mouth and right behind his teeth than a pursing of lips. ]
How many people is that? To think Japan could grow so large... is the capital where the largest number of people live then, too?
[ Maybe that can make it make sense?
Shino's distracted by the chef again, allowing his chopsticks to rest and trying not to look too fascinated by the process. Or to breathe too deeply of the wonderful smells being sent their way as the ingredients sizzle. ]
I believe you, but who knows? It's not like I eat things served in courses on purpose all that often.
[ He eats courses more by accident, where people keep feeding him and he keeps eating because he has a ridiculous appetite, and no real ability to pack it on anywhere. So it goes when you're a demon host, apparently. Or so he suspects.
The next serving of hot food on the provided plates has him swallowing back the saliva filling his mouth. He reaches forward, this time twitching his right fingers in Ren's hand, but he again manages not to yank Ren's hand away to help him with the process of pulling his plate close and figuring out how to properly feed himself enough not to be utterly frustrated by the process. What follows? Even more sounds of gastronomic bliss, Shino's lashes fluttering closed because it's that tasty.
It's also a little to tease Murasame, who remains silent in his right arm, though for a moment he feels the demon's passing lamentation for not getting to steal away whatever it is that Shino just bit into. ]
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no subject
Food is a more immediate and important topic than anyone pegged as little darkness, particularly when the guy in question is holding hands with what might as well be freaking giant darkness through no particular fault of his own. ]
A little adds up, it adds up! Plus, did the hug count for anything?
[ As someone who has not eaten much, and not eaten well, since he woke up on the moon, he's much more food oriented as a way of dealing with the rest of everything going on, including his increasing frustration over finding no sign of anyone from home here, and hearing how long the Moonblessed are going on being in this place without a sure-fire way home. Hearing people randomly disappear, and people think they return home, doesn't help!
So while he's bound to someone willing to go find a meal with him, he's taking advantage of it. Maybe they can skip along the way some smaller, caustic part of him thinks, but he lets the thought go.
He goes along easily enough, more at ease than maybe he should be, but trusting in this guy's sense of direction.
As the one who would just send Murasame to find Sousuke whenever he was lost in a new place, Shino's not exactly the type to overly worry about knowing exactly where he is. (Though really, without Sousuke here, maybe he should be.)
However... what is Ren talking about? ]
Teppanyaki? What kind of food is that?
[ Forgive someone from being pre WWII, but while he can break the word down into its parts, he doesn't know specifically what it means. Thus Ren gets a curious look that isn't asking after why he's a little bit of darkness, but instead, what in the world grilled plates is referring to, and if it's just as literal as it sounds. ]
no subject
At the very least, the direction Ren's going in is taking them back in the direction of shops, so there's probably something over there even if it turns out he's gone the wrong way for the specific thing he's thinking of. Ren tilts his head a bit at the question, though, glancing back to look at Shino.]
Oh, are you one of those people who's from an older time...? [His tone says this isn't an uncommon conversation to be having here, but at least Shino doesn't seem quite as ancient as some of the people he's run into. As they walk, Ren gestures with his hand to indicate the shape of some kind of large, flat surface.]
It's more the way of cooking the food. It's done on a really big iron surface, and usually part of the fun is watching the chefs play around a bit with the food as they cook it. You can get a lot of things there, though - meat or vegetables or egg, basically anything you can cook on a big metal plate.
[Which is...most things, really. Big metal plates are a flexible cooking surface.]
no subject
Wait. ]
You're from a future time than mine. But still from the Empire of the Rising Sun?
[ Look, it's called the Imperial Capitol back in his time, going by longform older call-outs (or he supposes going with Nippon) is more because he's had it pointed out by now not everyone does. ]
This is making me hungrier... so the chefs cook it all right there for you, like at the street stalls in the Imperial Capitol?
[ ................. so anyway, he's from an older time. Just not that much older, but prior to the second world war. ]
no subject
We don't really use that name anymore other than when we feel like being fancy, but yes. It's not really an empire anymore, either.
[They do still have an emperor, but it's pretty much entirely a symbolic position, which turns it into more of a democratic monarchy type business. Ren's not really one to dig deep into politics when he doesn't have to.]
Right, they cook it in front of you. You can get things like that at food stalls as well - it's pretty common in Caihong too, actually - but it's more of a multi-course thing with teppanyaki.
[There's only so long you can hang around outside a street stall most of the time, unless they're specifically set up for people to sit down and stay a while. He finds that much less common with stalls than restaurants, though.]
no subject
[ He looks politely puzzled, but Shino as never all that invested in if Japan was an Empire or not; he's more curious what it is now because he has no guess, and it's such an odd thought for him out of the blue. ]
All your courses are cooked like that? This sounds amazing!
[ And the tantalising scent of food smells amazing, regardless of its origins. Shino's fairly enthused by this, tugging on their joined hands as he smiles at one of the Prismals waiting for a bus. He has no idea about these shelters or their function, but the older might-be-a-lady blinks her pretty, doe-like eyes up at them, her delicate ears flicking forward and her nose giving a rabbit-like twitch. She asks if she can help them, and Shino asks about the teppanyaki—not out of a lack of belief in Ren's navigation (he has no idea Ren is the worst navigator, about as bad as he is, only without it being because he grew up in the country and has never much had to navigate cities for himself) but more because he wants the best deal.
Which is how they're referred to a restaurant five streets away, through a zig-zag of names that Shino remembers, already flashing Ren a grin like, aren't you excited for this?! and restraining himself from anything like running and dragging him along.
Not that he's fully stopped himself from pulling Ren forward, but it's only so much that the woman laughs and makes a comment about young lovers and lunch dates that Shino doesn't hear (or care about, if he did), and waves them on their way. ]
no subject
Thankfully, the topic of food is an easy save, and Ren gives a little nod at his summation.] Right, it's like that. I'm sure you'll enjoy it~
[It certainly sounds like he's enthusiastic about the prospect of food in general, especially with how ready he is to ask for a pointer from the locals. Ren offers the woman a polite smile and wave as they depart, seemingly unfazed by the "young lovers" comment even if he looks more amused by it than anything else.
He'll be fine enough to let Shino tow them along if he wants to, though, since his own pace is relatively calm.] Well, that was easier than trying to remember the way myself.
n_n at each other in icons and i laughed
Though he probably should, all things considered. ]
What, you didn't actually remember?
[ He asks, definitely towing them along but having to stop at one of those Crosswalks he's learned about. It's still weird it's not legal to just... cross the street. Why this. When is it allowed? When is it not? What kind of law is this anyway?! ]
smile for the camera, or maybe just the food
Sometimes my sense of direction is a bit weird and I forget where things are, so it's good to get a second opinion. I might've remembered it, but I might not have.
[That's...unhelpfully vague, but since they know where they're going now, it's probably not important. As soon as the crosswalk light turns green, Ren gets them going again, because he's also used to having to get across roads pretty quickly to avoid five taxis unloading their horns at you for daring to exist on a road.]
why not both, both is good
He has no room to judge, but he still levels Ren with a look of disbelief. ]
Doesn't that just mean you have a terrible sense of direction?
[ Shino: apathetic to directions. Ren: bad at them. Bless that he's not forgotten what they've been told, and while he's moving as soon as the light indicates they can, he's still shaking his head like the fact someone still tries navigating without asking his demon-crow to go find help is the weird one here.
(They're both weird.) ]
I got lost all the time in the Imperial Capitol, but I'd only been there for what, a few weeks? My biggest danger on the mountain was losing track of time.
[ Murasame's been sitting pretty on his shoulder, and he echoes what Shino says: ]
Losing track.
[ Which is more a reminder of the fact he... does in fact lose track of where he is and of time depending on his mood or level of distraction. Shino opts to ignore Murasame, taking them down another block toward their destination, closer to swinging their joined hands by now. His head's back in the good mood, going to eat soon place, and the rest of the tedious details are one's he's going along with for now. ]
this just reminds me of the dumb SMILES VS FOOD argument that was in another ccg anime
You don't have to put it like that...I just forget where things are sometimes. [Like a door that was about three feet to his left that one time. Usually it's when he's focused on something else, but as aware as he might be of the people around him and what they're doing, that sometimes comes at the cost of maybe walking into a post or two.
Murasame's remark doesn't go ignored by Ren, though, and he points accusingly with his free hand towards Shino.] See, even your spooky crow says you lose track of things too.
[At least they're keeping moving, which lessens the chance that anyone's going to forget where they're going before they get there.]
... dare i even ask what this argument was/what that means
[ He says in return, lifting an eyebrow archly like this helps him make a point that losing track of time is not the same as losing track of his way.
Even though he does both, in unfamiliar places. ]
I said the only reason I got lost in the Imperial Capitol was because I was new.
[ Frankly, that means he should get lost here too, but unless someone else points it out, he's ignoring that particular logic. He doesn't contest his crow being creepy, since... creepy is definitely a valid assessment, and isn't something like "abnormal." He'll take creepy for the moment. ]
You at least stop to ask for directions when you're lost, right?
it was basically about which is more important to people who are downtrodden, it was very silly
I mean, if I get lost enough usually people can tell anyway, but of course I ask for directions. Or ask my phone for directions.
[The joys of map software for people who have absolutely no sense of personal orientation. A city like this which doesn't have a lot around it that can normally be accessed isn't exactly a difficult one to find those kinds of maps for, though he figures that kind of option wouldn't occur to someone who's from as long ago as this guy seems to be. Well before smartphones were a thing, at least.]
klajsdflkjasdf oh goodness, it sounds like it
[ Obviously this is what the difference is! Or something like that, as he reads a street sign on the side of a building and frowns, unsure what the number in the corner means, but tugging Ren along with because it matches the directions he'd been given. ]
Do these phones really have maps on them too?
[ Sure enough, he's rewarded with the sign for the restaurant they'd been looking for, and his eyes light up, his stomach being a pest and growling even as Murasame calls out, ]
Meat! Meat! Meat!
thx yugioh arc-v for handling card games and interdimensional warfare at the same time
[Or, more accurately, it sounds like something someone would say if they mostly just wanted to sound like something was different instead of actually thinking it was different. But Ren's still in dense face mode, so he's not going to point that out too hard in this particular instance.
While the sight of the shop they've been looking for is certainly a distraction, Ren nonetheless nods at the question.]
Mmm, the map app shouldn't be too hard to find on there. Maybe I can walk you through it so you don't get lost~ [Get it.] Anyway, it sounds like your friend is pretty eager, so let's go in...
[Not that it seems like anyone's really hesitating on that front, realistically speaking.]
... wow
I wouldn't mind.
[ He says, flicking his eyes at Ren for the don't get lost even though with technology, Shino's absolutely been getting lost. ]
Murasame just likes food.
[ But fine, fine, in they go! Shino goes for the door, and instead of opening in or out, it slides back into the walls, startling him into jerking back enough not to be visible to others... but blindingly obvious to Ren. Murasame is worse, flapping his wings and falling off backward after smacking them both in the back of their heads (lightly) and taking to the air, only to land on the overhang above. ]
Murasame, stay out here! I'll bring you something to eat.
[ Shino, meanwhile, sees an opportunity to leave half his soul outside, so to speak, and darts inside the doors with Ren, half turning to eagerly watch as they close...
... behind the bird who flew in after them, and landed on the back of an open chair. ]
Almost worked...
my first main rp muse was from it and it was delightful to try and explain
And Murasame's taking advantage of it.] It's kind of hard to keep people out with those kinds of doors, since they close at their own speed...and that's assuming he didn't make them open when he got too close anyway...
[He's not sure a bird would set off the sensor, but then, it's not exactly a common situation he's had to field previously. In any case, he's going to just go and find a seat near the grill while Shino addresses his bird situation.]
I don't know how shops here are about having animals inside, though. Even if they're supernatural ones.
[It's kind of a health hazard in food shops, after all, but at the same time, it's not so much his problem since it's not his bird.]
alskdfj that's........ kudos that you managed it laskdjf
Murasame!
[ He calls out, and with a brief look, the crow turns into a creature of light that shoots back from where he'd been roosting to flow as light into Shino's skin, reforming the tattoo from earlier. The host about to ask if they were looking to be seated looks starstruck at this, their hands held up to their beak-mouth, and Shino seems to realise how odd this is a half moment later, angling a step back and... partly behind Ren. The host doesn't look any less excited or starry eyed when they seat them, and Shino more or less uses Ren as a physical shield between himself and said host, particularly since the staring doesn't let up.
Yeesh! Look, bird-host, it's just a thing that he can do! It happened! Let him live! ]
he was my longest run in a game so i had plenty of time at least
This guy here hasn't been to a restaurant like this before, so can you give him some recommendations?
[Ren gestures towards Shino, because he is also most definitely ignoring Shino's attempts to use him as a human shield against the host in favour of getting him some actual good service. One advantage of that whole scene is that the host looks only too happy to start offering their own suggestions, and holds out a menu towards Shino so he can immediately start pointing to various things on it and talking about how good they'd be for a first-timer.
Ren, for his part, picks up a menu himself and starts browsing it like someone who's done this a thousand times before.] If they have a set course or something that gives you a lot of options, that could be a good choice too...
down to a science by the time his run was over
[ Shino says, because Ren might be ignoring him trying to use him as a shield, but unless Ren's hauling him back around to not let himself be used as a shield, Shino is still... going to take advantage of being the shorter one here. Ren's thin, and Shino's not particularly bulky either, but it's height that Ren has and Shino's taking advantage of.
Honestly, he doesn't like this kind of attention. Too nonsensical, too overbearing.
The server is happy to relate they do have a set course, rattles off further options, and Shino stares almost glossy eyed at the menu before finally jabbing a finger at something with beef involved and says, ]
This one.
[ He doesn't even care, just stop! Stop! He just wants food, not this!
It's enough for the moment, since after asking if he wants anything to drink and being met with a quiet moment followed by, "Tea," the server's turning expectant eyes to Ren. ]
it did help that there were actual serious war scenes b/c hard light holograms used as weapons
When the server turns to him, Ren hums a little in amusement and sets down the menu.] How about we share what he ordered and also get the five-course set for the two of us? And I'll have tea as well.
[He feels like it's nicer to have the full experience in a place like this, even if Shino is more inclined to hide from things right now. In any case, the host bustles off to get things ready rather quickly once Ren makes that request, and he leans an elbow on the table, half-turned towards Shino.]
I hope you don't get overwhelmed that easily by him cooking in front of you, or this might not be the kind of restaurant for you...
this sounds appropriately horrifying tbh
I'm not overwhelmed.
[ ... But he is, and he knows it, or seems to realise that's what this is a moment later. Shino grimaces, and corrects himself: ]
Much. Besides, cooking isn't overwhelming, and everything smells really great here. I'm fine. [ Another pause, and a more awkward: ] I'll be fine.
[ That said, he does regard the whole area where the cook will be cooking with curious eyes, relaxing in fractions when no one else is bustling over and making a fuss right away. The tea is delivered, and he turns to watch the busser delivering it, offering them a smile and a thank you. Part of it is to show how not overwhelmed he is, and the rest of it is his better nature and a sense of politeness and gratitude for service like this, which is promptly forgotten when it's someone he knows doing the serving.
So it goes. ]
it involved building-sized robots levelling a city so yes
Well, it's probably good to get used to this kind of thing early anyway. I know this is different compared to what a lot of people from older time periods are used to, but the city is so big and busy that it's kind of hard to avoid getting out in that kind of bustle.
[Ren's used to it, considering the size and scale of modern Tokyo, but he's met plenty of people who need a bit of time to register that things here really aren't the same as what they're used to. Which is understandable enough, when this place is a tiny bit more advanced even compared to what he's used to.]
It's definitely worth it for this, though.
city destruction by robot is a valid horror
[ Shino practically breathes out, eyes widened so he can better watch with avid interest as the chef finishes setting up. He licks his lips without thinking about it when the first ingredient is tossed on the grill, followed by its particular pairing. All this being done right there is like sitting in the kitchen with whomever's cooking for the night, only not at the same time. Both somewhat familiar and starkly different.
The utensils, at least, are sensible. ]
I'd never seen a city until the last few months, and now this make that city look like my village in comparison. Everything's so loud, it smells, it's filled with lights even brighter than the Imperial Capitol, and there are laws I know nothing about that still exist. Does anyone tell us what those are?
[ The unwritten and written rules for living here. Most laws were ones he didn't know the exact wording of back home, but he had a cultural context for things, and he could figure out from that what was going on even if he lacked specifics. Here... he's not even supposed to cross roads except in designated places.
Those thoughts aren't as pressing as the wonderful smells cooking up on the grill, and as the chef serves them up their starter, Shino is... looking down at their hands before picking up his chopsticks with his left hand. He's not elegant with it, but he has a good hold, and he does manage to feed himself one handed that way.
After dropping things three times.
It's a learning curve, okay?
Once he has that in mouth and chewing, he makes a noise of pure bliss. Not that he speaks until he's swallowed, and even then it's crowing about how wonderful it is. ]
This is so good! Don't tell me the rest is going to be even better?
[ Bright, excited eyes again, as if he's setting so many of the things he has no power over down in order to fully engage in this moment with a meal: something that he can fully enjoy and be fully present for. ]
indeed it is
[Megalopolis that it is. This city might have multiple storeys, but Tokyo has the advantage of basically spreading out into the distance as far as one can see in any direction, so he figures that probably makes up for the lack of multiple levels.
Ren at least managed to get his good hand free, so he has less trouble with the utensils situation and starts eating while Shino is still dropping things. He smiles a little when the other man finally gets something into his mouth, though, because that's the kind of reaction he was expecting when it came to a place like this.]
Well, this is just the starter. It'd be a bit disappointing if the best they had was what came first, right? So obviously it's going to get better.
[Or at least not get worse. That sort of thing is bad form for any restaurant, let alone one where the chef is making a lot of the decisions.]
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He whistles, more of his tongue tucked up against the roof of his mouth and right behind his teeth than a pursing of lips. ]
How many people is that? To think Japan could grow so large... is the capital where the largest number of people live then, too?
[ Maybe that can make it make sense?
Shino's distracted by the chef again, allowing his chopsticks to rest and trying not to look too fascinated by the process. Or to breathe too deeply of the wonderful smells being sent their way as the ingredients sizzle. ]
I believe you, but who knows? It's not like I eat things served in courses on purpose all that often.
[ He eats courses more by accident, where people keep feeding him and he keeps eating because he has a ridiculous appetite, and no real ability to pack it on anywhere. So it goes when you're a demon host, apparently. Or so he suspects.
The next serving of hot food on the provided plates has him swallowing back the saliva filling his mouth. He reaches forward, this time twitching his right fingers in Ren's hand, but he again manages not to yank Ren's hand away to help him with the process of pulling his plate close and figuring out how to properly feed himself enough not to be utterly frustrated by the process. What follows? Even more sounds of gastronomic bliss, Shino's lashes fluttering closed because it's that tasty.
It's also a little to tease Murasame, who remains silent in his right arm, though for a moment he feels the demon's passing lamentation for not getting to steal away whatever it is that Shino just bit into. ]
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