linkingup | of knights, dogs, and yakitori

of knights, dogs, and yakitori

( 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. )

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No. Looks like a few blows to the head didn't make your judgment any clearer.

[ Or he's still Like This just to mess with her. She's still at best only 70% sure that that's not the case.

As much as it defies credulity, he might really be that oblivious. ]

Huh. I thought you'd have some speech ready to go about the unrestrained beauty of growing wheat, or something. [ Although her eyes narrow and she adds quickly: ] Don't.

[ Because she doesn't doubt he could conjure one once she puts the idea in his head! ]

[ Argenti blinks a bit at this. ]

I thought my judgment was rather clear?

[ He does feel like he's missing something here on the other subject she's mentioned. Also, to increase the hilarity, he begins to open his mouth about to talk on the Beauty of growing wheat because she seems to indicate that yes, that is what she would like? Then, his mouth shuts closed comically for a moment afterwards. ]

...It would be a good speech. But, if you insist?

You saying that with a straight face is how I know I didn't hit you hard enough.

[ ~~Or at all, after Kippa! Never point that out or she'll really have to do a murder.~~

Maika's eyes narrow until they're practically closed — but it looks like her roll to Intimidate worked(?). Or, somehow much worse: he's just trying to be obliging still. ]

I insist. Emphatically. I'll gag you if I have to. [ She gestures at the nearest bao, which is probably a threat? But perhaps contradictorily: ] ...So what are you planning? Dragging him into the Knight of Beauty act too?

[ She's really not sure anyone else should be making pledges to Idrila, but hey. ]

[ Argenti blinks at that and then he simply smiles. ]

I suppose it is simply the nature of things.

[ ... Ever think someone should have a signal to stop saying things or talking? That's Argenti.

That being said, while she can't tell for sure he is definitely just being obliging... ]

I'll save it for another time, then. [ NOW he's actually testing the waters here. He's learning how to be more playful or perhaps he's gained more self-awareness. ] I'll never ask Fray to follow my Path. He has his own as a Knight, though I would be happy if he did become an appreciator of all that is beautiful. One need not become a Knight of Beauty to do that!

[ Argenti would of course also encourage people to follow the Path of Beauty but only recommend a small few to become Knights of Beauty. That number has remained, to this date, very finite. ]

[ Maika's glare intensifies... but she also fails to completely halt a little flicker of a smile. Oops. So sue her, she's kind of amused by suspecting he's actually playfully starting something here.

She could say a lot of things about Argenti, but never that he lacks grit. ]

From all that flowery poetic tripe before... he's definitely an appreciator of at least some kinds of beauty.

[ She shoots a smirk in Fray's direction too. Argenti is probably harder to tease than his cat, but she'll take whatever openings she gets. ]

Sounds like you have it all figured out.

[ Yeah he's a badass motherfucker who ain't lacking in balls, as Jesse would say!

...Can't even say that's a joke, though his smile is soft when she says those things. ]

If dearest Fray heard you say that of him, I am uncertain if he would be able to manage through all of the teasing.

[ Argenti doesn't mind it, though. He thinks it means that the man's going to get the chance to bond with others more. Plus he gets to see his beloved one blush even more...anyway, yes he is harder to tease than Fray, but he is smiling softly, looking at said man in the room with heart eyes (he's embarrassing, man.) So it isn't impossible. ]

I only have it figured out due to everything that has happened. Before, I assumed I did, but in reality I had only begun to scratch the surface.

I feel as if I have gained further perspective on matters. And the questions that I had in my heart have mostly been answered.

[ Jesse and Maika really have to meet and trade colorful turns of phrase someday smh. ]

Hah. Doesn't take much to fluff his tail.

[ (Affectionate)? Maika sounds inordinately pleased about that, anyway. Unfortunately for Fray, she's just discovered the best new squeaky toy. Although remembering her gratitude for the heals, she'll try not to test him too far.

Argenti's obvious sappiness gets a little nose wrinkle — but maybe surprisingly, she doesn't actually have anything rude to say about it. ]

Nothing like confronting yourself and getting it torn to shreds to give you some perspective. Good to know. [ Although she's saying that with some amount of familiarity anyway. ] "Mostly," huh? Let's not do this again for whatever's left.

[ They really do...please. It'd be so hilarious!!

Argenti does playfully lift a singular eyebrow when she says that it doesn't take much to do so.

It's certainly true, though. It's why he has come to enjoy teasing his dearest midnight knight so. But, it is good that his sappiness doesn't draw anything rude. He has more sappier words lying in wait. ]

It sounds as if you speak from personal experience.

[ Maybe it's made him more audacious as well. ]

...No, I am certain you will not.

[ Because why would the God of Conflict try anything with him once again? He's certain that the being has realized he is a lost cause for his purposes...surely he can see that given his failure. But even so, he seems to think on something else - pertaining to his future, the consequences of his Path, and whatnot. Still, now that everything has settled, he thinks he's more prepared than ever for even the worst. ]

Besides, I have already burdened you all so, I shall take care not to do so again. Whatever else remains I will figure out - I am certain of it.

[ Heh. That gets another tiny grin out of Maika, just thinking of the Fray bullying she'd been doing earlier. Good times. ]

Don't be an idiot. People live by burdening others. Maybe if you burdened them a little more, it wouldn't get to where some asshole god can sink his claws into you in the first place.

[ But after everything that happened... she probably doesn't need to lecture him about remembering to talk to others. He's got that sorted out by now. Maika waves her hand to brush aside the subject and make a retreat. ]

As the poets say... not my problem. You've got it handled.

[ No, Argenti does need the reminder, but he does know better so that when he hears it he doesn't rebuff it, like he would've before. ]

It's something that I will have to admittedly get used to.

Though, I suspect that with the God of Conflict even stealing me when Eli and Izou tried their most hardest to assist me, he would have attempted something dirty in some other manner.

But, it would have certainly still helped in making headway, perhaps.

[ Argenti seems to doubt that the God of Conflict. There is - was - so much darkness in his heart. He has seen so many things, that even from a young age his mind reeled hard enough that there were matters he still hadn't processed. ]

...It seems that you are quite fond of poetry. I grant you my utmost thanks, however. Your words are sincerely appreciated.

[ Maika's expression goes a little funny at the reminder — stupid dogs, doing something that she was definitely not contemplating herself, and looking like damn fools about it.

But if it had worked, well. That would've been something. ]

Yeah. I'm not letting you weasel out of your part in it. But that asshole is going to make us play his games one way or another.

[ Case in point, Yoon's battle as well. Maika gives a little snort about the poetry thing. ]

You sound stuffed again, so I guess you really are back to normal. Don't thank me until you see the food bill.

[ Which she will actually have tried to pay part of, but whatever. What's life if you can't say some empty menacing things all the time. ]

[ It sure would've! God of Conflict interfering with dogs sure did a lot in stopping that no matter how deep the efforts. ]

I would never dream of it.

[ He means it, though he nods at the other aspect as well. ]

I can thank you now if I like. After all, you helped me so much today. There is much I have to be grateful for.

...If not for you all, I doubt I will even be among the living anymore.

[ Maika trying to pay for it but discovering Argenti ninja-'d paying for the bill for everyone, that's so funny. ]

[ She's going to be so peeved... she will drag him out for a meal again just so she can angrily pay. Stupid damn knight.

Also he's definitely feeling better if he's getting pigheaded again?? Maika shoots him an arch look but lets him get away with it this once. ]

Not a chance. You're way too stubborn to die. ...But if you really want, you can remember this if any of us end up making one of those stupid shadows.

[ He can assume she's talking about herself, she hopes! But her gaze actually flickers towards the door and the absence of Aerith. Hedging her bets to have backup for a scenario like that... she'll keep it in mind. ]

[ Argenti thinking he is off the hook...then Maika comes out of the shadows with a steel chair yelling at him for his ninja-bill-paying crimes.

This is so funny. But yes, he is definitely starting to truly feel like himself again, so that stubbornness is coming back from the war. Which also means he has no idea Maika let him off easy just for once. ]

...You're right. I am too stubborn to die.

[ ...

But, he does nod at what she's saying. ]

I shall indeed remember this day indeed if I need to remind anyone of the help they've granted to me. The God of Conflict is bound to strike again.

And I have learned that, in those moments, it is when the self needs a reminder most of all - by those who have come to support that person.

Glad you're a realist about that much, at least.

[ Well. Argenti's still insane, for certain. But he's not as completely airheaded as she thought, given the context of what she saw.

It's just that his context is completely orthogonal to her normal. But she gives a nod of acknowledgment. ]

...The people that made us leave their mark on us long after they're gone. But I doubt anyone can keep going on memories alone. That's why we need the reminder... that we can't stand still forever.

[ And if she can secure more of that for the people she's come to care about, so much the better. ]

[ Argenti's insanity never left the room - it only got worse.

Okay, just kidding, it probably has shifted in certain ways, given the inner development he's experienced even if the sparkles and general nonsense will not disperse so easily. So he nods to her first comment with a little smile! ]

...That is one of the most inspiring things that I have heard you say, Maika.

Indeed, I find it true! Such words truly embodying Beauty in its raw and truthful form. Memories truly are no replacement for what can be seen before one's eyes.

I know it well enough.

Though, I shall always certainly remember it very keenly if someone starts a food fight here.

[ He jests. He doubt anyone would be inclined. Unless...? ]

[ Ugh?? Maika recoils a tiny bit in undisguised dismay. She was just speaking her mind, and now he's attacking her with this. ]

Make it sound like I'm some kind of poet again and you'll have your food fight right there. It's just common sense, not beauty. Or "Beauty."

[ She can hear the capitalization! And while she's ambivalent about Old Ones in general, she certainly finds Argenti's a little dodgy. ]

Enough talking out of you. More eating.

[ Or else she's going to somehow get an Izakaya to give her a baguette to shove in his mouth, smh. ]

Very well, then.

[ Argenti is going to merely actually just laugh lightly at this.

But, for once?

...Okay no, he's still going to be bright and annoying to Maika. Though at least he'd say it's for good cause.

Sorry not sorry for paying for everyone's bill when nobody was looking!! ]

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of knights, dogs, and yakitori

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we can wrap here!