thenearshore

Entry tags:

open.

Who: Ken Kaneki

savor and you.
What: Word is you all like cat cafés...
When: 4/16 - 4/30
Where: Cat Café Calico
Warnings: Felines.

[There's talk of a new cat café having just opened in town. Sharing the name of an already popular business, it seems they're expanding to a second location. As with the original, the café occupies two stories of a building in the shopping district. Taking the stairs or elevator to the fifth floor leads one to the front doors of this new establishment, name bright and bold.

This first floor is the actual café area, offering beverages and snacks for purchase. Treats can be bought for the cats as well, who mill about the location in great numbers. Taking the stairs up to the second floor, yet more cats can be found, along with televisions and video game systems. If someone wants to spend time with cats, they've found themselves the right place to be.

Now, the thing is — they're really understaffed. And walk-ins may be encouraged (if not outright coerced) to fill out a job application. The business is doing well enough that they're hoping to get more hands on deck, so those wandering in or playing with the kitties a bit too long might just find themselves face to face with an application]

[ooc: Treat this as a cat café mingle. Toplevel and tag around to your heart's content, become an employee or a customer. Or try to smuggle cats and see what happens]

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Wake up, sleepy-head~♪

[Ion's cheery greeting is still soft, not wanting to startle Kaneki when she quietly approaches. He looks very comfortable, and she definitely wouldn't mind napping with some cute cats as well. But he's at work! And...she may have brought him a little something special, which she sets down on the table near him.

The first real challenge of Kaneki's faith in his shinki: the dreaded bento box. Some of the cats napping with him already seem interested as she begins unpacking.]

Surprise! I thought we could have lunch together...It's my first time making one [the four other practice tests don't count] but I think it came out okay.

[Although Kaneki hears a familiar voice, his mind at first doesn't quite register the meaning of her words. What swims into his awareness is the smell of flowers and...food? That can't be quite right, his mind registers vaguely, the fog of sleep gradually dissipating as he tries to make sense of this.

Not meat, that smell he's become woefully familiar with. It's something else, and stiffly, he lifts a hand to rub at his eye.

The one with a patch over it, which goes about as well as one might imagine. He cracks an eye open when he realizes this, tugging the eye-patch back into place before he realizes that the voice was Ion, and she's right there]

I-Ion- [He sits up straighter, cats shooting him offended looks as he displaces them with the action] ...You went to all that trouble?

[That's at once very kind and very worrying. Can he pretend well enough that normal food tastes good? Now that he sees the bento, it makes sense of the smell, but why does it smell normal to him? Maybe he's imagining it...]

[Here she was hoping that she wouldn't startle him too much. Still, his question gets a confused look, and Ion stops what's she doing to also stand a little straighter with her arms folded across her chest. Was this really a big deal? No, it didn't feel like it, but then again they only had recently been paired up. She'll have to gauge how off-putting it may be to Kaneki...once he actually tries her food.]

Don't be silly. [Ion wags a finger at him before going back to putting everything out.] We're partners now, so the least I can do it support you. And if it's bad, just tell me so I'll stop.

[Wasn't that reasonable? Seemingly satisfied with her own explanation, the shinki pulls up another seat.]

[It seems like so much work, just for him. Especially when he knows just how sick eating regular food makes him. And Kaneki can only hope that all his practice will allow him to conceal just how repulsive his ghoul sense of taste finds food he had once enjoyed. The last thing he wants to do is discourage Ion, especially since she's been trying to determine what she's good at.

He'll just have to do his best so he doesn't hurt her confidence. It all looks nice, it even smells nice for reasons he can't fathom, but...he knows how badly it goes when he tries to eat anything but...meat...]

It's kind of you, but I don't want you to feel obligated.

[This is the first time a girl his age has cooked for him before. What a shame he can't enjoy it properly. He's determined not to let that show, for Ion's sake, at least]

It's fine. I choose to do this anyways. [She doubts she'd ever feel obligtigated to do something while working with someone as considerate as Kaneki. She wants to discover herself through activities, but she also wants to give back and bond.

So Ion claps her hands together with a quick 'ittadakimasu' and picks up her own set of chopsticks:]

I'll go first since it's my own creation. [Yes, they'll be sharing one since it's on the bigger side, although she's not about to feed Kaneki ~~yet~~. For being seemingly foreign to this world, Ion handles the chopsticks with ease as she picks up an octodog and takes a bite.]

Hmmn~ [She nods to herself with a slight smile, then swallows before assessing her work:] Ah, good, I managed to keep it from being undercooked. That would have been really embarrassing if it was.

[Feel free to join in anytime, Kaneki.]

Edited 2016-08-20 13:50 (UTC)

[Kaneki watches quietly as Ion tries the lunch she's set out. He's struck by the thought that not only has a girl never made him a meal like this, a girl has never shared one with him, either. It's the sort of thing he would've fantasized about before his life changed so drastically, and now he can only marvel at just how simple his world once was.

Now he's sitting here bracing himself for the fact that he's going to have to pretend the food doesn't make a ghoul like him ill. And he feels bad for that reality, especially since it's clear Ion really worked hard on this meal, but he supposes it can't be helped.

He'll just have to do much better at being convincing than he has back home]

Thank you for the meal.

[With slow caution, Kaneki picks up the chopsticks, using them to pluck up one of the little octopus-hotdogs. He's braced as he very carefully brings the food to his mouth, running Yoshimura's instructions through his mind. Chew just enough and swallow-

But it's...actually palatable? There's no terrible onslaught on his senses, nothing unpleasant at all. It tastes normal — salty, sweet, savory. How is that even...?]

[Ion finishes the rest of her hotdog just as Kaneki starts his. When she notices, the smile she gives him is so content that he's braving her cooking. She isn't expecting any comments, but hopefully it's to his liking. Even if it wasn't the food she made, there's something about sharing a meal that warms her heart.]

I want to keep practicing cooking, so you should give me a list of your favorite foods at some point.

[Next bite is some rice. Thank goodness for rice cookers though.]

[He chews on that mouthful of food far longer than he should, without realizing, trying to make sense of it. There just isn't any way that Kaneki could've convinced himself that normal food tastes good, remembering vividly just how unpleasant the experience was with every attempt he'd made since the surgery.

Eventually he catches himself, forcing himself to swallow. How in the world could her cooking smell like it did when he was human? How could it taste normal? He's silent as these thoughts roil about in his mind. He's felt his kakugan active since coming here, seen Add's reaction to it, so how?

What he wouldn't have given to be able to share a meal with Hide like this, as every attempt made him ill...

His eyes start watering, and he's quick to scrub at his face with his sleeve]

[Ion doesn't actually notice anything off at first except that he's so quiet. Does it taste off? Is he trying to figure out what to say? She frets a little, but Kaneki doesn't seem the type to poorly word his criticism. And if it's something she can learn from, then that's great-!

But.......Oh.

She doesn't understand.]

...Kaneki? [Her voice lowers despite the fact that no one around will likely notice them. She doesn't want to draw attention to his crying, but she still reaches out to him, lightly touching his free hand.]

Are you okay? What's wrong? [Ion may not know why he suddenly seems so sad, yet she immediately wants to provide comfort.]

[Ion's worries filter into his awareness, both in her voice and the way her feelings just permeate his thoughts somehow. It's something he imagines he'll take some time in getting used to, but it does enforce the fact that she's definitely noticed his strange reaction and is concerned by it]

Sorry, I- [In his haste to dispel her worries, he speaks up before he's really got much to say. A few moments pass and he tries again] I was just thinking about the past...

[Sort of. That's not entirely accurate, but it's the simplest way to explain himself. He doesn't want to think of his time with his only friend growing up as part of his past, though he wouldn't mind the upsetting limitations of being a ghoul being something miraculously put behind him, much as he doubts it's possible]

[She can't relate at all, sadly. Not that that bothers her right now. Ion's so focused on her god that she can't possibly think about herself right now.]

Do you want to talk about it? [She doesn't know much else she could do besides little offers. If anything, she just wants to give him a big hug and make the the sadness disappear. It's a childish thought, sure, but it maintains some hope that she can help.]

...I could hold your hand, if you want. [Because Kaneki could just as easily be someone who doesn't like to talk about the things that bother him. If that's the case, the least Ion can do is to offer to physically be there with him. So he knows he's not alone. But would that still be too much?]

[He's really worried her... Kaneki regrets that, after the kindness and consideration that Ion has shown him. No one has ever gone to this kind of trouble, and he wishes that he hadn't responded this way. There isn't much for it now but to try and recover, drying his face once more for good measure and puffing out a quiet breath.

What a sight he must be, a god crying over food like this]

I'm okay, really.

[Troubling her like this... He really ought to do better, as the god she's been assigned to work with. So he'll try to just recover and move right back to the subject they were on before he made a little scene]

You're really a good cook, I don't think I could do so well on a first try.

[Kaneki will learn eventually that Ion tends to be a worrier, although she does ease up a bit now. She's not one to think negatively of him for crying either. Sentimentality is not a bad thing, and it's nice to know that her god still cherishes his past to reflect on it even in his elevated status. (In a way, she is mildly curious about what he remembered.) Her smile is soft as Ion leans back into her seat.]

Mn, but if you ever feel the need to talk, Hana and I will be at your side. [Except Hana may not be the best choice for emotional support unless he needed to rant.]

...Hehehe, I may have practiced a little to begin with~ Still, I'd like to make some of your favorites, Kaneki. Would you be okay with that? Since I'm still figuring out my likes and dislikes. Do you know if Hana has any favorites too?

Thanks... I'm here too, if I can help.

[Sure, Kaneki knows that he's the one who was crying. But as the god Ion works with, he feels that he's inherently responsible for her well-being and ought to do better that looking after her than he's managed so far. If anything it seems more like she's the one taking care of him.

Being looked after that was is foreign, though at least he can chalk it up to her having the tendencies of a caretaker. He's been sure from the onset that Ion is a very kind person]

Hana's never really given me much indication... So I'm not sure if I just haven't figured out the right things and she doesn't want to say so, or if she just doesn't know what she likes yet. [It's harder to get conversation out of Hana than Ion by far, and the contrast is stark] As for me, I've liked Hamburg steak since I was a kid, but I wouldn't want you to go to any trouble on my account.

[Besides, maybe this eating normal good phenomenon was some kind of fluke, somehow...?]

Mn, of course. We're partners, after all. [And partners help each other through thick and thin. And Kaneki's right about her disposition, although she also wants to understand him a little more as well. Bonding is important for a team. So they both got really lucky to be assigned together, and Kaneki has the advantage of feeling her thoughts (even if she hasn't realized that yet).]

I'll try asking her at some point too. [TEAMWORK!] Hamburg steak sounds like a fun recipe to learn though, so it wouldn't be any trouble. Do you have any preferences about what goes along with it?

[Now that they've returned to a calmer atmosphere, Ion digs back into the bento's rice for another mouthful.]

[Partners... Kaneki knows that's right, but it's really the first time anyone has talked about sharing anything with him on those terms. As his best friend, Hide has always looked out for him, but he wouldn't have said they're partners in crime or anything like that, exactly. And this situation is pretty different in so many ways, so he might not really have anything to compare it to]

Oh, um... Anything is okay with me, so long as it's not too much trouble. [Would he even be able to eat it? Maybe he'll wind up sick later after eating some of this bento, but it's a relief to not feel like he's eating something rotting. Food hasn't tasted right in what feels like such a long time now] Have you come across any favorites of your own yet?

[Surely a relevant question to ask, although he's not sure he can cook as well as she can. They're a team, like she said, right?]

[While Ion literally has nothing to use for comparison, having a partner (especially as someone as mindful as Kaneki) is almost an essential lifeline for her. She can turn her thoughts outward, so it helps that she doesn't wallow in the sadness of losing herself. Caring for others comes naturally, but having a supportive relationship right from the starting gate is certainly a plus. She may not have put her finger on it yet, but Ion does not like to be alone. Thus, her god really is a blessing in disguise.

So really, nothing is too much trouble.]

Hmmm...I don't think I've found anything in particular. I've enjoyed most things so far, but nothing really stands out as my favorite. [Sorry, Kaneki. But she'd probably be happy with anything he made her since he would be putting in the effort.]

[With the sheer variety of food available, Kaneki supposes it isn't surprising that Ion hasn't found something that she particularly favors yet. It's only been a short time since they became partners, and there's plenty of time to figure something like that out. And it seems like she isn't a picky eater, so that's good to know too]

Maybe we just haven't come across the right thing yet.

[But he hopes they do, at some point. He knows what a comfort those favorites can sometimes be, considering the memories that are tied to his own. Even without the memory, would a favorite of hers still be comforting in some way...?

Hopefully so]

We've got time though, right?

That's a strange question. Of course we do! [Infinite timelines and possibilities, but she doesn't quite understand that yet.]

Since we're on the subject of favorites-- I want to know more about you, Kaneki. I know you like reading, but what else do you enjoy?

[On one hand, she's purposely trying to move the discussion away from herself since she doesn't have much to talk about. On the other, she really would like to learn more about him. Hopefully it doesn't sound like some sort of interview.

Also, should she be embarrassed about eating that baby tomato in one big bite? They're so small though.]

[What else does he like, other than reading...? Reading has been such a comfort and a solace to him growing up that it's often how he's ended up spending his time. Others had more clubs and pursuits, but not being much for groups, he preferred to spend his time with a good book instead.

Kaneki has to consider that for a few moments, not wanting to deny Ion some kind of answer rather than anything noncommittal]

I liked being a student, before all this. Um... sometimes I draw, although I wouldn't say I'm the best at it. [He is talented, but he'll never think as much] And I used to cook for myself, since I lived on my own.

[Once more, before all of this. Boy, he doesn't sound very exciting...]

Let's see... I like coffee, and working with my hands, I guess? It's only lately that I figured out I could do more than I'd thought.

[Kaneki can take as much time as he wants since Ion continues to nibble away at their lunch. Still, she's an attentive listener when he talks about himself. It may not sound exciting to him, but Ion's not one to judge.]

Hmm...we seem to be close in age, so maybe I was a student as well. [Although he may guess otherwise considering the severity behind the reason of her death.] Heheh, you should try drawing a robot sometime and I can try making it. That would be exciting!

[Her definition of exciting.........Anyways--] But what do you mean you can do more now? Do you mean your hand-eye coordination is better?

[Kaneki isn't too sure about her being a student, considering what little he'd seen, but fortunately the subject slides before he can come up with something to say about it]

Drawing robots...? I guess I could, although I don't know much about engineering.

[Well, what young man hadn't drawn a robot at least once? Although Kaneki's surprised by the suggestion that she'd try to make one. Does that mean she's interested in things like garage kits? Then again, she brought home all those machine parts, so maybe she means just what she'd said]

When I started working at a café I learned a bit, and then I started reading up on martial arts so I could be more capable.

[And less useless in a fight, for that matter]

That's okay! As long as it looks like a stable design, I can figure out the rest. [When she sets her mind on making a machine, it's hard to stop her too. A collaborative project sounds like fun!

At the mention of martial arts, Ion tilts her head in a confused manner:]

Will you be able to learn it just from reading? I think that's something you would need a teacher for, right?

I had people who trained with me too, but you can get a lot out of reading about principles behind techniques.

[And for some reason, reading feels far more intuitive to him than watching a demonstration. He feels more like he grasps those concepts when he's able to see them put to words]

What do you mean by stable design though?

[Because he's not too sure what that would mean, as someone who's never drawn a design so much as doodled a robot]

Hmmm...I think I get it. [Emphasis on 'think' but that's mainly because she's clumsy to begin with. Reading to understand techniques makes sense, but she can't see herself actually putting any of it to practice.]

Oh, just that it can walk around easily enough and with proper weight distribution so it won't fall over. Also keep in mind that weapons can be very heavy, so I may have to adjust the size if you wanted to include any!

[.......Does that sound weird coming from a pacifist? Ion doesn't seem to notice because robots.]

Oh, and if you want me to develop an AI for it, that would take me a little bit longer but I could make it have a super cute personality!

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