rosydisposition

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out. What makes marigolds so special, though? Got anythin' to do with the petals all over the place?

[ He tucked the jar carefully away -- no doubt someone would get this spread on them right soon.

It was... kind of nice, actually, listening to someone talk about people they cared about. It almost made up for being menaced by rivers of blood.

Almost. ]

Sounds like ya got a pretty solid bunch of friends. Ya miss them?

Marigolds are the base to the medicine I just gave you. They're the easiest to find and are very good at stopping the bleeding and improving healing time. I just increase their potency.

[He can only do so much with what lies around here and he doesn't know if it's really safe to use.

Kurama debates on his answer for a moment.]

A bit, but it's best if they aren't here. They all can take care of themselves, but this nightmare is not something anyone should endure, least of all them.

What of you? Do you have anyone you miss?

Most of the people back home, I won't be seein' them for a while, anyway.

[ Which wasn't precisely an answer, but these conversations were difficult sometimes. To say the least. ]

...yeah. I moved to a new city a couple years back. Hated it. But now that I'm here, I keep thinkin' of one face or another. I don't have any photos, though.

[ He took a stray marigold petal in his hand, spun it slowly about on its axis. ]

Guess I'm a little worried about everyone at Sunshine -- especially Yuki-chan. But they're better off than any of us here, right? Least they ain't have unscrupulous monopolies comin' after 'em any more.

[He can't resist the smile. Yes, Majima and Yusuke and likely Kuwabara would make fast friends. Maybe even some begrudging respect from Hiei. They're all things he expects to hear from the two younger men.]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Even if the place isn't great, it's the people that make it worth living. It's understandable you'd think about them when they're no longer there.

[Missing those one has a connection to is a very normal thing, he can't blame him. They all have people like that, he's sure of it.]

Just a little? [There's a teasing lilt to his tone.] Your lives have been rough, that much I can tell. Hopefully they're in good standing, ready to welcome you from your long nap.

[There's something mischievous in his smile though.]

So, about this Yuki-chan...

[ Majima held up a hand. ]

Okay, I think I see where this's going, so lemme stop ya right there. Yuki-chan's like a daughter to me.

[ A... 21-year-old daughter. To a 24-year-old. Shh, it's fine. ]

Can't tell ya how worried I was when she started talkin' about meeting up with a strange guy and giving him her savings.

[ Perhaps even a month earlier, this might have tripped him up, but: ]

...Besides, I'm seein' someone. How 'bout you, Kurama-han? Got anyone special?

[The red-head quirks a brow. He doesn't know anything about Yuki-chan, though, and for that matter, he doesn't know that much about Majima, either.

But it's interesting, learning these tidbits.]

That's natural, though. I'd be just as concerned if someone I cared about said the same thing. Why her savings?

[Last time, Hino was trying to turn the conversation around, deflect from herself. This time, he can't say it's the same. So he's thoughtful about his response.]

No. The life I lead is much too dangerous for such a thing. That picture I showed you? It was after a tournament in which we were forced to fight, to the death, or they would kill our loved ones.

[Because things like love and trust are beyond him. He's too old to worry about special someones now. He has a million excuses, honestly, but that one is pretty accurate.]

Seeing, though. Present tense. Is it someone here, in Deerington, or just optimism?

Aww, turned out she was just payin' back her old man for lending her some moving money when she came out to Sōtenbori. She's got the weirdest way of phrasin' things sometimes.

[ Like who referred to their dad as a 'someone special'? Who?! ...Granted, he probably should have minded his own business about it, but still.

He listened to Kurama's reply, frowning slightly as he did so. ]

...that's pretty understandable. Sometimes the best way to help someone is to stay away from 'em.

[ And he ought to know. Choices had consequences, and pursuing the lifestyle he had meant that some things he wanted were simply never to be. ]

She's right here in Deerington. I figure we both knew what we were gettin' into, and we're all in danger out here.

[ There was a faint smile on Majima's face as he spoke, but then he lifted the bag in his off-hand. ]

But before we get totally off track here, I was gonna ask: ya like tofu?

Ah, I see. Just a misunderstanding. She sounds like a good person.

[Well. Kurama would in regards to his mom, but he's really weird anyway.]

Yes. Though, I've never had an inclination, either, so I suppose that helps.

[Kurama has learned, just by watching the Sleepers, that they all can relate in some way. It's good, at least, that they have these chances they might not necessarily take. Young love...

'She' interests him, but bright green eyes widen. He's grateful for the human shell, because his ears and tail would give him away in a second.]

Tofu...? You managed to find some?

She is. So's everyone else. I'll tell ya more about them sometime, maybe.

[ Though of course he wouldn't want to bore Kurama or anything.

And ears or no, well. He could tell, at least, that Kurama was interested -- the Americans always seemed to look at him like they were questioning his sanity when he mentioned missing tofu. He had no idea why. ]

Sure did. I figured maybe we could try and hook up some equipment at one of the closed restaurants, even break out a backup generator if we had to.

Feel like a field trip?

I'd be happy to hear more about them. [Especially as it sounds like Majima probably has a good number of stories to share, some of them amusing, it seems.

But the melancholy Kurama's been feeling since the incident with Logan seems to fade away, and the smile he directs at Majima is pleased.]

And you came to me?

[It's not that he minds, not at all! He's just... surprised.]

I'll be happy to join you. Just let me get a censer ready. Though, are you sure you want to share it with me, of all people?

[ Majima raised his eyebrows slightly at this as he waited. ]

Sure, why not? Ya seem like you'd like it. Besides, it's nice to do this kinda thing once in a while.

Went out with Yuri to look for chestnuts the other day -- they were pretty good.

[Kurama thinks to argue, but decides against it. Majima reminds him of Yusuke, who'd tell him to stop being an idiot and just an enjoy it. That he thinks too much and if he doesn't shut up and eat it, it'll go down his throat.

The fox chuckles to himself, making sure his things are away and the bamboo carrier for the thurible is firmly attached to his shoulder.]

Thank you, Majima. [It's genuine, heartfelt, though he'll deny it. It's not the tofu, but the gesture that means something to him.] So, chestnuts? That sounds like fun. Did you find a lot?

Yeah, we got a pretty decent haul.

[ Majima made his way to the front door, waiting until Kurama was ready before he stepped outside. ]

'course, the squirrels got some of them. But none of the Americans were out looking, so the field was wide open. Tasted pretty great roasted, too.

[Kurama follows quickly behind.]

Such a wasted chance. It might have been a fun competition. Roasted chestnuts... You certainly know how to make one hungry, Majima-san.

[Though the air beyond the church is nauseating, he is, at the very least, not driven by it to lash out and it can't diminish his desire for some freshly made tofu.]

Winter really is coming, hm. You wouldn't happen to know how bad the winters in America are, would you?

In Maine? It's one of the most northern parts of the States; heard it gets pretty damn cold.

[ Which was actually... a bit of a concern, if they had to ride it out with all the businesses closed like they were. ]

Not a fan of cold weather?

[ He headed down towards central Deerington, with its collection of stores and restaurants. Maybe the diner? ]

[Well, that settles it, Kurama's making a den underground.]

Not particularly.

[He follows, keeping his eyes ahead, distracting himself with the conversation. Deerington is still a nightmare he wants to forget exists.]

I was hoping for tropical paradise.

[But no. Really, the cold sucks.]

So, what is our plan of action and how much trouble will it cause?

Trouble? C'mon, Kurama-han, nothin' like that -- we'll just borrow someone's kitchen equipment, and after that, we'll put it right back like it was.

Hardly any trouble at all.

[ Maybe it wasn't the best idea to pose this question to someone for whom slipping into abandoned urban buildings and salvaging their stuff had been a way of life for a time. ]

All these storefronts're closed, anyway. Not like we'd be interferin' with paying customers. How 'bout we swing by the diner?

Of course.

[Kurama does appreciate a healthy amount of trouble. Borrowing things is certainly not against his principles. The diner probably has things they can use to make a perfect meal.

If only foxes purred.]

I think that's a fine idea. [As long as they can get in and he's sure, between them, there should be no problems.] Let's hurry. I don't want to attract unnecessary attention.

[Incense works much better inside walls.]

[ It didn't take much to break into the diner; there was only the one lock, and it wasn't even a deadbolt. A cinch, in other words, although the one thing that did sort of make things weird was how quiet and empty it was inside.

Almost eerie, in fact. ]

I was gonna say it'd be nice to see what this place'd be like without anyone eyeballing me.

[ OH WELL. ]

Okay, let's see what they got in here.

[Kurama pulls down the holder of his thurible, setting it on one of the booths. He's grateful for the enclosed space, the scent of cedar smoking within. He puts the spare incense in his pocket on the table, just in case, and glances around.]

Well, probably more or less the same, given the atmosphere.

[He heads into the kitchen and straight to the vegetables.]

Any flavors you like in particular?

[He'll just be frowning down at what he finds, staring critically at it. There might be a grumble as he rifles through about 'quality'.]

At this point, I'd settle for anythin' remotely Japanese, but I ain't sure we're going to find that here. Be real surprised if they carry chili peppers around here, instead of Spam and Jello.

[ Hmm... but what was this? Some cabbage in the fridge? Free game, as far as he was concerned. ]

Plenty of eggs.

Edited 2018-11-13 06:16 (UTC)

I wish I'd thought ahead. There are seeds for some things in the flower shop.

[Ugh, Spam and Jello. Don't get him started. The sodium and sugar respectively... humans and their amalgamations.]

Eggs are an absolute must, of course. [He can't resist a well-cooked egg or three.]

I've some carrots here and some scallions. Is there any ginger? I don't see any Japanese ingredients. [These peons.] Do you think Sodder would be willing deliver such things? [For next time.]

[ Majima started on a search through the shelves and cupboards, but was forced to shake his head. ]

Guess ginger's a little too forward-thinkin'. But as for those gift basket requests, I don't see why not.

[ And here, at least, was some good old-fashioned salt and pepper. ]

I've gotten some weird shit before. Like this old sword.

[Kurama's tempted to huff. Next offering he makes, he wants seeds to grow a nice vegetable garden of real ingredients.]

Maybe we can get some Takoyaki, hm? [Not a favorite, but it's still food from home and he enjoys it all the same.] I don't think getting vegetables and herbs will be a problem. North-san indulges my requests.

It's the main ingredients we'll have trouble with.

[And it's not like Kurama actually has many things he wants, aside from getting out, so it doesn't hurt to ask for the frivolous, time to time. He'll need to replenish his reserves, but the flower shop can help with that, maybe.]

I'll have to try it. I'll let you know the results.

[For now...]

I suppose we work with what we have. Let's see... corn starch will do. Just a bit of oil. Is there anything else we need?

Some cooking chopsticks'd be good, but...

[ He doubted they'd find any here. There was, however, a deep cast iron pan and... a metal sieve? Eh, it'd probably work. ]

I'll start the pan. You wanna cut the tofu slices?

[ He set the bag on the counter. This was actually kind of exciting, doing something they shouldn't be doing. HEH HEH okay no ]

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