[Her smile is apologetic as she shakes her head, moving to pull the chair over to better watch what he is doing.]
I'm battery operated, so... it's not necessary, I'm afraid. I wouldn't really be able to taste or consume it, regardless.
... I like the way a busy kitchen gets so... warm, though. Like a cloud of sunlight blossoming in a room. I like to imagine that the smells and tastes are like that warm feeling. That it's something comforting.
[she might not be able to smell the food or taste the curry, but her description of the kitchen resonates with Akira anyway. he finds himself smiling, albeit softly, as he returns to his pot of curry. some part of him suddenly feels extremely homesick]
The curry I'm making. . . it's a family recipe.
[ah. . .?]
The man I lived with-- my guardian-- he taught it to me. It was something he cooked because it was his daughter's favorite recipe. Her mother was the one who created it.
[a breath]
Every time I smell it, or taste it, or make it myself, it reminds me of home.
[being the first to discover that Akira was living in a cafe attic with a guardian also meant that Luna was the first in the mansion to ask Akira about his parents. it takes him off guard, evident by the way that he pauses in stirring his curry. evident in the way his expression falls, a barely notable downward tilt of his lips]
[. . .]
[his tone is even. nonchalant, almost. like it's not a big deal]
They're alive.
[that's not saying much, though]
They sent me to live with Sojiro for a year. I haven't heard from them since I moved to Tokyo, but--
Whatever she thought he might say, that... wasn't exactly what she was picturing? This is the first time she's really seen his demeanour fall outside the topic of a death, oddly vulnerable and walled off at the same time.
...
She knows it's not a wise idea to press too hard. Not with that shift in his mood. But... wouldn't it be better than leaving something unspoken?]
...
Can I ask what happened?
It... sounds like you almost didn't have a choice. Why?
[it's not exactly something he's eager to talk about, but he isn't actively trying to hide it, either. well. . . at least, not from her. not from someone who has already shared so much about her own past with him]
[it's his turn, isn't it?]
That's because I didn't. A court of law made the choice for me.
[his back is still towards her as he speaks, gaze focused on the curry]
I was sent to live with Sojiro as part of my probation for my aggravated assault conviction.
[stares at this curry forever?? what if he never looks up???]
[also his profile says professional thief, plz]
I tried to stop a drunk man from harassing a woman on the streets at night. I touched his shoulder. . . he fell and injured himself.
He turned out to be a powerful politician, and he threatened the woman to lie to the police about what had happened. She said I had attacked him for no reason, and I was arrested on the spot.
After that. . . he used his connections to have me convicted of assault.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Her eyes soften, though her look of concern does not. A hand lifts to delicately rest against his arm, very aware of just how exhausted he looks.]
You're a very lucky person to have as a friend. I... I hope you know that.
...
I can leave you be, if you'd like. But... I'd be lying if I wasn't worried for you.
no subject
[at that, Akira immediately shakes his head, sheepishly gesturing to a chair]
No. I'd appreciate the company, actually.
[a pause]
I'd offer you some curry too, but--
[r-robots don't eat?? probably???]
no subject
I'm battery operated, so... it's not necessary, I'm afraid. I wouldn't really be able to taste or consume it, regardless.
... I like the way a busy kitchen gets so... warm, though. Like a cloud of sunlight blossoming in a room. I like to imagine that the smells and tastes are like that warm feeling. That it's something comforting.
no subject
The curry I'm making. . . it's a family recipe.
[ah. . .?]
The man I lived with-- my guardian-- he taught it to me. It was something he cooked because it was his daughter's favorite recipe. Her mother was the one who created it.
[a breath]
Every time I smell it, or taste it, or make it myself, it reminds me of home.
[so. . . yeah. she's right. it is comforting]
no subject
[Her hand instinctively moves to her collarbone, as though to touch something resting around her neck. But there's nothing there, as usual. Only skin.
...]
What was your guardian's name?
no subject
[her question draws another smile from him]
Sakura Sojio. He ran a coffee and curry cafe. I lived in the attic.
[A PAUSE]
That sounds way more awful than it actually is. I like my attic bedroom; it's cozy.
no subject
[yes this is her first thought]
no subject
Bingo.
[SHE GOT IT. and she's the first one to make the connection!!]
no subject
maybe don't tell her.]
Is... there a reason you're with Mr. Sakura right now? What about your parents?
no subject
[. . .]
[his tone is even. nonchalant, almost. like it's not a big deal]
They're alive.
[that's not saying much, though]
They sent me to live with Sojiro for a year. I haven't heard from them since I moved to Tokyo, but--
[shrugs]
They're around.
no subject
Whatever she thought he might say, that... wasn't exactly what she was picturing? This is the first time she's really seen his demeanour fall outside the topic of a death, oddly vulnerable and walled off at the same time.
...
She knows it's not a wise idea to press too hard. Not with that shift in his mood. But... wouldn't it be better than leaving something unspoken?]
...
Can I ask what happened?
It... sounds like you almost didn't have a choice. Why?
no subject
[it's his turn, isn't it?]
That's because I didn't. A court of law made the choice for me.
[his back is still towards her as he speaks, gaze focused on the curry]
I was sent to live with Sojiro as part of my probation for my aggravated assault conviction.
no subject
You're... considered a criminal, then? [A simple question, quiet if not a little confused. Akira, a criminal? Que??] What happened?
no subject
[stares at this curry forever?? what if he never looks up???]
[also his profile says professional thief, plz]
I tried to stop a drunk man from harassing a woman on the streets at night. I touched his shoulder. . . he fell and injured himself.
He turned out to be a powerful politician, and he threatened the woman to lie to the police about what had happened. She said I had attacked him for no reason, and I was arrested on the spot.
After that. . . he used his connections to have me convicted of assault.
I didn't stand a chance.
[that last part is said very, very quietly]