open + one closed prompt

[livingimpaired]

WHO: Kei Shigaraki and OPEN, Kei Shigaraki and Howard Carter (ohrlyeh).
WHERE: His inappropriately named RAMEN shop and back-alley clinic + wildcard, if those don't work.
WHEN: 2/15.
WHAT: Just another day in paradise.
WARNINGS: Nihilism, drinking, and dark TYPE-MOON thoughts in closed Lovecraft thread, but otherwise, there shouldn't be any warnings.

A. [ open ]

[ The restaurant itself is relatively small. It only has a counter where one can watch the cooking and three booths. And while the outside may say "ramen," the inside smells of thick of mapo tofu. Most who visit are well aware that Kei only serves mapo tofu or mapo-tofu flavored ramen.

There is an exceptionally secret menu where he sometimes cooks actual ramen, but only few know of its existence. Kei, himself, has to be in the right mood to make it, too. And, of course, the challenge is always ready and waiting. Only a few people have shown up on the Hall of Fame -- and the rest have left in tears. Due to the spice (and maybe due to the sense of failure they feel).

All in all, the day has been about has he expected it to be. A few customers here and there, but mostly quiet. Few people actually want to burn the ever-loving hell out of their mouths before returning to work or ending the day, after all. He lifts his head when he hears the chime of the door. ]

Welcome. For all those that understand my words, the Retrospect offers a small cut. Does that mean anything to you?

B. [ open ]

[ Now, the restaurant may be small, but the back-alley clinic is bigger. Not by much, but it certainly has more space to walk around. It may be just how sparse he keeps the area, too. Only thing in it is the medical bed, two separating curtains, and a few chairs for his patient and him to sit. The rest of space is occupied by cabinets, counters, a small sink, and storage closets. ]

It really feels like I haven't been able to be here in awhile. [ He says aloud. One hand on his hip, he turns to his patient in question. ] I'm afraid there isn't going to be any discount for your visit. I'm not so irresponsible an adult as to slash prices here. [ He chuckles to himself, finding the dry joke somewhat amusing. ]

Well? What is ailing you, then?

C. [ closed to Howard Craft (ohrlyeh) ]

Howard, it is good to see you.

[ The shop is closed. He, however, is already setting out the bottle of bourbon whiskey that he promised -- ah, what feels like ages ago. Kei feels relieved to drink with his friend. There has been minor concern that if he were to become intoxicated that the memories that have been clouding his insides may take shape. If that is to happen, he can't be certain of the safety of himself or the individual. However, in the case of Howard, he believes it will end well.

Howard would choose the path of least resistance and continued life. Neither one would end up too injured -- and threads of murder will be coolly brushed under the rug due to apathy and slothful desires. It honestly puts him in quite the good mood. Well. As good a mood as he ever gets in. But he feels a tinge of interest in hearing about what his friend has been doing in the fishing village; in talking about how someone close to him has also been taking enjoyment out of the imagined sufferings of others. ]

I'm feeling quite glad that things are going to settle soon for you. No matter what you do now, you shall have destroyed the town. [ Peeling the sealing off the bottle, he lifts it up. ] That is reason for celebration, hm?

D [ open ]

[ Wild card. Got a prompt that you would rather use? Go ahead and use it. I'll roll with whatever reason this trashcan is there. ]

Comments

c

[ohrlyeh]

I suppose, yes.

[Says Howard, already sitting at the counter, long fingers drumming against the wood in front of him. He looks far more exhausted than usual, which is saying something - his face looks so haggard that it looks like he's been gone for a year instead of a week or so.]

Still...I'll have to be back by morning. [A sharp tch!] So honestly, I have barely time to celebrate before I go back to that hell.

[livingimpaired]

Who knew that teleportation was possible?

[ The comment is mostly an aside but his eyes immediately darken as the implications start building in the back of his mind. He pauses as he is pouring the glass. Lifting the bottle, he sets it down carefully. ] They didn't need you all to go on boats.

[ His eyes close as he allows an exasperated expression settle. The bottle is once more lifted and the glass is filled to the top. Howard certainly looks like he needs it. And Kei doesn't quite care as he slides the glass over to him that the liquid slip and splatter onto the countertop. ] I really should have sent someone to be negative at you sooner. You really do look like you're wilting.

[ohrlyeh]

Tell me about it. If they could've teleported there in the first place, what was...what was the damn point of the boats, huh?

[Howard's eyebrows knit together in a heavily annoyed expression, his hand even curling into a fist. The boat ride...yes, it was just to make him suffer. No doubt about it.]

You talk about me as if I'm a plant. [Some of the drops have spilled on his hand, but he doesn't care - he lifts the glass, taking a sip and shuddering.]

Ah...that's good stuff.

[livingimpaired]

Aesthetics, perhaps?

[ His hands open in surrender to show that he doesn't know about it. He brings them back to press one hand over his chest while the other grabs the bottle. ] I am overly relieved that my personality is one so failing that I did not get invited.

[ He chuckles to himself, uncertain what he is quite laughing at, before pouring himself a glass. ] No. I would never think of you as a plant. Though, I can't deny that I don't think you wouldn't live happily as one. [ Another overflowing glass. He sets the bottle down. ]

But, are you all right? Hearing the thoughts of others? Is that, too, wearing you down? [ Lifting the glass, he looks over the color and believes most would call it "rich." He takes a deeper drink than Howard and closes his eyes as he flinches. A soft cough follows as he strains out: ] That burns ... just a little.

[ohrlyeh]

I loathe their aesthetics, then.

[Seriously, who in their right mind was behind that? If it wouldn't take much effort, Howard would undoubtedly go on a quest to find out who, exactly, was behind the boats.]

Hmm. I'm not the one who would be happy as a plant... [His voice drifts off as he takes another sip, his mouth quirking upward, briefly amused.] But anyways...I'm not fine. This whole trip has been nothing but a wretched chore. And on top of that, not even my mind is exempt from safety? I'm...sick of it, Kei.

[He shakes his head. His eyes look incredibly dark.]

I'm just sick.

A

[beneathmoonlight]

[Just as planned, Atsushi arrives at the ramen shop on the afternoon of the fifteenth, clutching the strap of his messenger bag nervously as he enters for the very first time. There’s a strong smell of spices in the air, almost enough to burn Atsushi’s nostrils, but it’s actually a welcome sensation.

He’s been feeling all too down lately, after all, so why not get a punch of spice to his life?

He smiles softly and bows in greeting when he spots Kei there.]

Hello, Shigaraki-san.

[livingimpaired]

Welcome, Atsushi.

[ Of course, he would recognize the young man's voice. And even if he hadn't, he would know him from his profile picture. While there have been a lot that he has spoken to, Atsushi is one that he finds worth a little bit of his time. It is as he has told Shuji; the young man is someone who has a pure, soft view of the world and that perspective should be protected.

He makes a sweeping gesture with his hand to indicate for him to take a seat at the counter. ]

You've been doing well in the fishing village. It's good to be able to offer you something for all your hard work. And... also have a talk about something as I believe I have been unfair to you.

[beneathmoonlight]

Thank you.

[Atsushi takes a seat at the counter and sets his messenger bag on the floor, glancing around the shop before turning his attention back to Kei. He has so many things he wants to say, but he should probably hear Kei out first.]

Unfair?

[livingimpaired]

Yes, unfair. ... I am someone that believes in ... obligations to others. [ He brushes his hands off on the apron that he wears, giving a small sigh. ] I believe in rewarding the effort that others do, of course, but I am more moved by what I feel is morally and socially correct.

[ That was to say that he lacked in empathy and felt only some sympathy for others. ] The unfairness comes in how you view friendship and how I view friendship. I believe that you are someone that should be looked after, Atsushi. I do not mean as a child. [ A half-smile is offered. ]

Your view on the world is ... pure and filled with good intentions. I would like that to be protected. However, emotionally, I don't believe we view friendship the same. [ He lifts his chin up as he attempts to put it into words. ] Friendship for you is cherished and special... your feelings are just as soft and carefully thought out as your view toward wanting to help others.

[ He holds one hand out to the young man sitting and lifts another to press it over his heart. ] However, my view of friendship is far more clinical and detached. It is obligations to another person. They are not heavy obligations. They do not burden or upset me. But they are obligations I view that I owe a person.

[ A beat. ] And so I believe this unfairness should be brought to light first. I would not wish to have comfort ripped from you. That is not the intent of any restaurant owner to ruin the meal of anyone. That is why I said it first.

[beneathmoonlight]

[Atsushi is so used to being called soft-hearted and sentimental that he’s stopped thinking of those descriptors as insults and now just views them as absolute truths. Good or bad, it’s undeniable that Atsushi is a sweet, kind-hearted boy that puts the needs of others before his own for no other reason than to make them feel safe and happy. He knows that some people will say he does it for praise or attention, but that’s simply not the case.

And somehow he already knew, somewhere deep down, that Kei is different from him in almost every conceivable way.]

I can’t say I completely understand, but I don’t think your viewpoint is wrong or anything. Most people view friends as people to be cherished and confided in, but if you view friends as people that you have obligations to, I can’t say that it’s wrong or bad.

[Who is he to make those kinds of judgments?]

The fact that you took the time to explain it to me instead of pretending you viewed friendship the same means a lot. Thank you, Shigaraki-san. [He smiles softly.] I don’t mind calling you my friend either way.

A.

[hananobooks]

[Robin walks through the door of the restaurant with a small hum. So, this is his shop, it's a nice little restaurant. She hasn't had mapo tofu in awhile, it wouldn't be bad to treat herself a little. She takes a seat at the counter, putting her purse by her feet before she looks up at him with her trademark smile.]

Hello, so this is shop you mentioned on the app, it's very nice. No, I believed you offered me a discount, though I'm not afraid of being here. Does the discount still apply to me?

[livingimpaired]

It is, indeed.

[ He bows his head slightly to her in greeting, like he didn't do enough of a greeting when she entered. ] The offer will be fifty-percent still, then. I hope that will be suitable for you. [ A slight pause. ] I've seen your profile image and so I know your name, but for the sake of social courtesy...

[ A small gesture with his hand, rolling at the wrist like a magician's assistant skillful hands directing to the next trick. ] ... I am Kei Shigaraki. And you are?

[hananobooks]

Yes, that will be fine. [It's not like she couldn't pay it, though she's not going to turn down a discount. She smiles at the gesture, nodding in response.]

My name is Robin Nikolaev. It's nice to meet you in person Kei. Tell me, do many people come to your shop?

[livingimpaired]

Well, Robin Nikolaev -- [ He may stumble a little over her name, but he still attempts to say the full name. ] -- it has its share of people who love spicy foods. Those that wish to have a challenge in eating also come. I would say that the stream is enough that I don't have to worry about paying my one employee.

[ His arms slide behind his back, as he lets out a small sigh. Indeed, he would rather not even have money for personal use if it meant to force his employee to not be paid. ]

Why?

[hananobooks]

[Robin doesn't mind the stumble, she knows her name isn't the easiest one to pronounce. She listen to his explanation, nodding when he's finished. At the question, she shakes her head and holds up her hand in a mild surrender.]

I'm merely curious, that's all. I wasn't aware there was a shop here, until I talked to you. I haven't had anything spicy in awhile, I would like to have some of your food, if you don't mind.

a

[imaginex]

[Sakura doesn't always drop by the "ramen" shop to sear the flavor of failure upon her soul. Especially now that Kirei has made it plain that he's a friend of her father's, she wants to make a point of visiting once or twice a week -- for no reason besides she can.

And though most of her friends have returned to the city, there's a brief pocket of free time where she's by herself, quickly ducking into the restaurant and smiling at the sound of the bell overhead.]

Are you offering discounts, Shigaraki-san?

[livingimpaired]

I am.

[ He offers the same half-smile that he always does in greeting, but he attempts to put a little more feeling into it. ] I'm told that this is an extraordinarily kind deed, and I'm afraid that people are starting to get the wrong idea about me. [ His eyes close as his head tilts slightly in small discomfort. ]

That said... I regret to inform you, but the challenge is not going to be given any sort of discount.

[imaginex]

[A soft smile, though it quickly turns amused and near-impish.] It is, though I'm sure Tou-san would scold you if you take it too far. A business still has to run as a business.

[She's no business prodigy by any means, but Sakura has osmosis'd a thing or two about finances. Her father is a very kind man, but exceedingly practical as well. There's a reason his business is going international.

Though, um... at his last comment, her eyes tick away as if embarrassed]

Actually... mmm, perhaps not today? The challenge, I mean. I actually just came here for a smaller bowl, if that's okay.

[She doesn't have the funds to fail.]

[livingimpaired]

[ His hands open in surrender at the comment that it still has to run a business. ]

I'm certain Tohsaka-senpai would be scolding me a lot if he knew how my business was run. [ He allows his eyes to dart to the side as he would rather not think of the conversation that would ensue. In his own defense, he never wanted to run a restaurant. He wanted to have the grueling hours of a doctor and live in a state that borderlined poverty.

He achieved one of those, and he feels like that is an accomplishment that no one asked him to make. ]

No challenge, then? Well, I'll make a nice milder mapo-tofu ramen for you. [ He lifts his chin as he thinks he might -- or should -- make actual ramen for her, but that would deem that this visit is special. Special deems certain moods and he thinks ordinary is better than special for today. ]

[imaginex]

[... Well, now she's just terribly curious after a statement like that. Sakura finds herself a seat -- not too far away, it'd be uncomfortable if they had to yell in order to hear each other -- resting her chin on her knuckles while she waits for him to make the food]

Did you happen to inherit this business?

[It might seem oddly prodding, but for Sakura, it's a natural assumption to make. After all, that's how it had been for her father. He'd taken the modest if well-loved heritage of her mother's family and turned it into something grand.]

D // slides in here late with Starbucks

[heritrix]

[Well, she's only in Recolle for this one day; already she's stopped by her house to check up on things (hnngh, what a mess), and see to a few personal matters. Her mission teammates were at a loss that she'd rather be out than enjoy a chance to catch up rest, but honestly...

After working non-stop for almost two years now, Rin's off-switch is well and truly stuck. She doesn't know what to do with this downtime.

And unfortunately or not, if she really can't think of anything to do then she doesn't have any excuse not to pop in for a friendly visit, does she?

So this is how Rin ends up at ramen shop in the early afternoon. But in disguise. Incognito. Her long hair is done up in a bun and stuffed under a cute winter hat that's admittedly mismatched with the rest of her outfit: blue to her red peacoat, and brown shoes and gloves.

More importantly, though, she has mail and packages. Going to the back of the ramen shop, she drops them off then stands about as if she were a deliveryman waiting to speak to the owner. She'll get a good look at how business is going too while she's in here, scoping out the customers behind her sunglasses; it's been some time since she last visited.]

[livingimpaired]

[ What.

For Rin's credit, Kei doesn't actually know that it is her. He merely is confused where his usual package delivery person is. His steps sound heavy and oddly solid as he walks toward her -- making his presence almost something that is felt filling up the space in the back of the shop. As always, the feeling lacks any sort of malice or violent intent. Everything just feels heavier than it did a second ago. ]

A new package, hm? [ Even to strangers, he always sounds the exact same. Irritatingly smug. ] Do you require me to sign something? [ His gaze flickers down to her as he kneels down to pick up the box. New medication to try in the clinic, perhaps? He tilts the box in his hands like he has x-ray vision to see what is in it. But he can't go about opening his illegally acquired drugs in front of every delivery person. ]

Or are you hoping for a free sample?

[heritrix]

[Oh my god, Kei, she got this from a legit postman, please let it be something boring like chopsticks instead of illegal drugs you madman.

Perfectly oblivious to whatever contents might be in here, Rin just nods like she's bored and throws on an accent to pitch her voice.]

Just the signature, thanks, and I'll get on outta your hair.

[There's a pen and a paper she slides to him; he might even take up the pen before he realizes there's something weird about this postal slip. 8|a

Namely that it doesn't look like a postal slip at all, but a regular piece of paper with the drawing of a kitten on it, sticking out its tongue. Above the drawing is a word written in neat, but bubbly font:

S u r p r i s e ! !]

[livingimpaired]

[ Let him live. He can't have all his illegal drugs come through shady means.

What.

Kei takes the paper and pen readily, before his thoughts catch up to what he is actually seeing on the piece of paper. It isn't even so much that as he catches the sound of Rin's voice even with the accent. He sighs as he sets the pen on top of the paper and looks up at the "disguised" girl.

The thick presence immediately vanishes as he settles back into his usual emotions and thoughts. Really, he supposes that he uses it as a means to ensure the person doesn't ask too many questions as to what's in the box. ]

Please don't federal crimes in order to surprise me. [ A sigh. ] Though, I suppose you are not dressed as an average postal worker so it doesn't quite count. Still, I'm surprised that you came to visit me at all on your day back to the city, Rin.

[ A beat. ] But more importantly, who raised you? Hat and gloves on in the shop?

1/2

[heritrix]

[Already in the process of peeling her disguise, Rin's hair falls loose around her shoulders as she pulls her hat free. The amused smile on her face falters slightly at his question, however, an emotion she can't place tugging behind her ribs.

"Who raised you?"

You, I think.

No. More than that, some part of her brain is certain. The memory isn't as crisp as some of the other she's received, but it's clear enough. "I'll be acting as your guardian, going forward. If you have any concerns, please bring them to me."]