call me out v. 11.0

[misheard]

Call out one of the characters from my muselist with a starter, a prompt, a general 'hey can we do something with these characters' comment, a smoke signal, etc., and I'll get back to you with some kind of RP thread!

Comments

[thesettingsun]

[It does sound ungrateful, but at the same time, Shuji understands why it'd be suspicious for him to just waltz in with a meal.]

We're friends, Heigo. It doesn't need to be an occasion for me to want to do nice things for you. ...And you've seemed really stressed lately, so I wanted to spoil you a little. See if I can help you relax, at least for an hour or so.

[Maybe that's all he can manage and it won't help much in the long run, but it's still worth doing.]

[informantic]

[Shuji's choice of words is absolutely inspired. If he'd said that he was worried about Heigo, that he wasn't sure Heigo could care for himself anymore, that he wanted to step in and ensure his continued well-being, it would have stung Heigo's pride so badly that he might have turned down the meal. As it stands, having someone want to spoil him in the hopes of improving his mood...

... that does sound nice, and like something he's earned since being plunged face-first into Retrospec, quite frankly. Shuji hasn't had it much better, but Heigo trusts him not to overextend himself, and this is just a pleasant evening together.]

Well, in that case - [He hands Shuji the first full wine glass, then pours one for himself and holds it up for a toast.] - here's to friendship, and to home-cooked food that smells better than anything I've put into my system in years.

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji hates to be treated like he can't take care of himself, even when he can't. Heigo is infinitely more competent than Shuji will ever be, so insinuating that he's unable to look after himself is even more insulting.]

To good food and even better company.

[Shuji clinks his glass with Heigo's before taking a drink.]

[informantic]

[Shuji really must have a nurturing side Heigo didn't know about, because he looks delighted that Heigo's accepted his gesture. Sometimes Heigo still can't believe all the kind, generous people who make their way into his life, but he's already sworn to himself that this is a bond he won't destroy with his own stupidity, so he's not thinking about it too hard.

Once he's had his own first sip of wine, he serves up two plates full of food and hands Shuji's to him with cutlery resting on the edge.]

I've never exactly had need of a kitchen table, so we'll have to do this in the living room. I hope that doesn't ruin the effect at all. [Grinning wryly, he picks up his own plate and leads the way.] Not that this requires any sort of atmosphere to begin with, or I'd at least light a candle or two.

[thesettingsun]

If I was aiming for a romantic evening, I would have invited you out to dinner and a movie.

[It's a lighthearted comment as Shuji follows behind, and promptly settles on Heigo's couch with his food.]

Well, I guess we could see what's on.

[informantic]

[Of course they're just joking. Heigo would never imagine Shuji to be doing anything else. He just shoots an even more wry look at Shuji as they sit down side by side.]

I can't think of a worse way to help me relax than asking me on a date. Even - no, especially if an old friend did so.

[thesettingsun]

It'll be as undatelike as possible, then. We can talk about sports and beer.

[Shuji has nothing to say about sports and beer, he just wants to see if he can make Heigo laugh.]

[informantic]

[Oh yeah, that definitely gets a good laugh by Heigo standards, so much that he has to cover his mouth with his hand to make sure none of the food escapes.]

That would just take the evening from nerve-wracking to deeply awkward. Your best bet is to stick with the original plan of spoiling me.

[A gesture toward his plate with the fork:]

Which you really are, by the way. I didn't know you were a good cook.

[thesettingsun]

[That laugh means Shuji was successful. That's all Shuji could possibly ask for.]

I picked it up when I spent about a month inside to avoid the monsters in the city. There's only so much you can do while you're stuck indoors, and I wanted to help people out even though I couldn't fight yet.

[informantic]

[Heigo's expression softens, taking on a gently admiring look.]

And here I am, not even thinking past the part where I hide out and avoid things. I really do need help with this process, don't I?

[thesettingsun]

[Shuji gently nudges Heigo in the shoulder. Stop that.]

Not more than everyone else does. And you adjusted a lot quicker than I did, so don't feel too down on yourself.