of knights, dogs, and yakitori

[beathollow]

( another week, another palace- and far be it from us to deny tradition. through bickering, wandering and other shenanigans, the group from argenti's palace will find themselves at an agreeable izakaya- not entirely meals, and they definitely have to make an argument for the younger teens, thank you izou, but the atmosphere is light and more importantly, this bad boy can fit so many customers at one group table. it was a hard battle- so now it's time to rest hard, too.

...

please consult here for menu ideas. this is not a dennihop. )

Comments

[beathollow]

Mmhm. Dad tells me about his after work trips sometimes... He says he's boring and only gets yakitori every time, but I think he censors himself about these, though.

( kirumiii... mafuyu will pour her some melon soda, too. )

[kandata]

[Kirumi accepts melon soda, niiiiice]

It might be he simply does not have good company.

[Good company is what makes this kind of places work out!]

[beathollow]

If that's the case, he's more patient than I am- I never hear an ill word spoken about them, the few times he is home.

... I'm thinking of getting some bao buns, since they're fluffy with a warm texture. What about you?

[kandata]

I will take the same. I do...want to share what you all are having. It is not that I do not intend to order for myself -- I simply am getting used to sharing time with you all like this.

[Kirumi is a little more willing to bend her self-imposed rules, yup]

[beathollow]

-!!

( mafuyu smiles warmly, but tries to not draw too much attention. )

I'm glad!

[kandata]

You are?

[Kirumi, you shouldn't be surprised people would be glad you're slowly coming out of your maid shell!]

[beathollow]

Of course I am. I like your company... But I don't want it to be an obligation.

[kandata]

[Kirumi laughs]

It is not an obligation. While I am here ready to serve once anyone needs assistance, I also am here because I want to be.

I also want to make certain nobody here will get in trouble all of a sudden. There are many troublesome people here.

[She's not serious about that last part, just messing a little...but also that's an objective fact, isn't it]

[beathollow]

I know. I share a room with one of them.

( despite the quiet monotone, she actually sounds affectionate. but then, she did very publically call izou "onii-san" at the end of everything, so maybe it's not surprising. )

... I just remember worrying that... you would focus only on your duties when we first met. I want to respect your dedication. But I also want to know you.

[kandata]

...yes. I had intended to keep my distance from you all, but that was not possible.

[Not that she's too bothered about it, really!]

If that's so, I am willing to answer anything you may want to ask. Go ahead, Mafuyu.

[beathollow]

... What made you want to become a maid?

[kandata]

At first it simply was to gain some money. I did not have any big expectations from it -- but that soon stopped being a concern because the first client I ever had paid me rather well. I stopped thinking about that and grew to believe in my client's goals, so I changed course and started to do all I could to encourage him to follow his dreams and reach his full potential.

[So yeah, at first it was a normal, mundane goal, just looking for work and taking what she could get, and the stars aligned! Then she became passionate about her career, yup]

[beathollow]

And that's pushed you to take up so many skills in turn, yes?

( despite mafuyu's general monotone, she does sound genuinely interested! )

It really does feel like you could do anything...

[kandata]

Indeed. Ever since the start, I have been asked to perform tasks more befitting of a personal assistant than a maid...so that led to a certain amount of versatility. Perhaps it was short-sighted to call myself a maid, but...

[Kirumi looks away, and voices one of her actual opinions:]

...I like the maid aesthetic. I made my uniform myself.

[beathollow]

Maybe, but... I'm proud of what you've accomplished. I know I try to get you to rest with us, but I won't belittle your work ever.

( the second bit gets a small laugh out of her- it reminds her of mizuki. )

Oh, it's very pretty. I... actually like things like that. And goth lolita, but ... ... My friend Mizuki makes her clothes, too.

[kandata]

Thank you. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

[She'd give the usual elegant curtsy if she was standing up! But since she's sitting down eating, she has to settle with a bow of her head for a moment]

Who would this friend of yours be? Would you like to tell me about her?

[More like Kirumi wants to hear about her!]

[beathollow]

... Her name is Mizuki. She's the editor for our music videos. She likes anime, snacks, anything cute, and fashion- she's very pretty. I... hold on.

( after a moment, she pulls out her phone, all her data transferred to it. she pulls up some pictures of a cute, lively girl. )

Whatever she doesn't make, she still alters with embroidery and beadwork. ... She's very playful, but- she's also one of the kindest people I know.

[kandata]

[Aw, look at her! So pink, Mizuki is a cute one]

I see. How did you two met?

[Kirumi is listening to Mafuyu attentively, wanting to know more about her life and times. Mafuyu wanted to get along with Kirumi as a person, and Kirumi wants to reciprocate]

[beathollow]

We worked together online for our music group before we met in person- she volunteered to help edit and provide visual effects for our videos.

...

In person...

She and the others found me when I was about to make a terrible choice, and they all stopped me. I didn't think anyone would. I... am happy to have been wrong, though.