[RP Log] Saeki, Atsushi

[shadowflesh.livejournal.com]

Who: Saeki, Atsushi
Where: Mansion - Kitchen, mostly
When: Um...any day recent where Atsushi was at the place?
What: Rated G, for General Audience. Atsushi gets lost on the way to the kitchen and Saeki helps him get there. And makes food.



The nights were colder now, and Saeki always found cold nights to be hungry nights. Yuushi was working on his computer, Akira was polishing knives, and Saeki had had enough of stupid boss fights for the time being. "You're lucky you're inside that game," he snarled at the DS now lying on his bed. If he'd been able to control his avatar as well as he did himself, Saeki would have ripped the man from head to toe many times over. He stood, stretching. Perhaps he'd see what was in the kitchen, and check up on the twins on the way.


Atsushi, to the best of his knowledge, was somewhere in the mansion. It wasn't very specific, perhaps, but it was better than not knowing where he was at all. The thought of milk and cookies had been a brilliant idea, really. Late nights, homework, and food after a long day... The kitchen, he decided, looking silently down another long hall, was an elusive room and needed to be in a more central location. ...Unless it was already in a central location and Atsushi had wandered enough to be very far from it.


The boy looked down the hall in the opposite direction and wondered if he could knock on a door randomly and ask for directions. He didn't want to interrupt anyone at the current hour of night, though, so he settled on trying to find a wall with a window to the outside. Maybe he could get his bearings that way. ...he really needed to learn the layout of the mansion.


That was how Saeki found him a few minutes later. Turning a corner, he nearly ran into one of them. Good thing the cat-reflexes bled over into human form, or they'd have collided. This one didn't smell exactly like Ryou, though there were traces, so it had to be the other twin ... ah, right, Atsushi. "Whoa," he said. It didn't seem like the kid knew where he was going. "Looking for something? Someone? Somewhere? You can't have missed us that badly." He grinned.


"Um..." Somewhat startled and very much embarrassed, Atsushi backed away from Saeki. He didn't know him very well, and was unsure of their space-to-relationship ratio. "I don't know where the kitchen is...or where I am..." He smiled up at the other mutant hesitantly, and said, "Could you tell me how to get there?" After another short pause, he added, "And I didn't mean to almost run into you. I'm sorry..."


The kid was backing away as if he was afraid ... oh, right, not used to him. Kid came over often enough--you'd think he'd have learned Saeki wasn't going to harm any brother of Ryou's. Not without provocation, anyway, and Atsushi seemed like a smart kid who wouldn't do things like that. Some instincts could be trusted. So Saeki laughed, shaking his head. "Kid, I don't bite in human form, and even as a tiger Ryou will tell you I'm not a bad cat. Honest," he said, grinning, reaching out to the kid and ruffling his hair.


Hmm. At least Atsushi didn't back away like Ryou had before. It wasn't an issue anymore, nowadays. Not once Ryou had gotten mostly used to Saeki. Maybe he could train this one to scratch, too. Saeki straightened, beckoning as he began to walk towards the kitchen. "Now come on. I'll show you the way--was heading there myself, actually. Want anything special? I like my meat a little on the raw side, but I can cook for you and your brother if you want. Unless you want hot chocolate?"


Hot chocolate sounded yummy, and the intentions of tall, frosty glasses of milk flew out the window. "I was going to get cookies for us, but something hot to drink would be nice, I think. I mean, if you don't mind..." Atsushi moved to follow him, with his smoke trailing behind him. "I don't know if Ryou wants something to eat, like, that isn't a snack food, but what are you making?" Since he was given permission to relax (though he Atsushi wasn't sure why he was tense in the first place), his tendency to be talkative slipped loose. "Can I help?"


Chatty kid. Probably grew up in a nice home, if he was so open. It was nice to know at least some humans weren't totally useless. "Not sure. We'll see what's in the fridge. How about peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches?" Saeki asked, turning the corner. The kitchen was straight ahead, now. "Maybe we can steal some chocolate chip cookies too--Yuushi won't notice if I buy new ones quickly, and as long as we leave some for him to tide him over he won't get mad. Unless you want me to cook you something like real food."


They were in the kitchen now, and Saeki went straight for the fridge, opening it and taking a quick glance inside. Milk smelled fresh, and there were condiments and other things around. He checked the breadbasket and cookie jars, too. Yup, they had plenty of everything. "So," Saeki said, filling the electric kettle and setting it to boil. He tied on an apron, and then gestured grandly. "What'll it be, kid? Nothing too fancy, but anything we've got I'll try." He grinned.


Atsushi giggled. He really probably shouldn't have, but it just suddenly happened. It was a little funny to see Saeki in an apron, lording over the kitchen, especially since Atsushi had seen him as a slightly intimidating (but irresistibly furry) tiger. "Um, well, I don't want Oshitari-san to be mad if we eat his cookies... I think peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will be good." Shyly, he asked, "Can we have marshmallows in the hot chocolate?"


He peered inside a drawer, looking for silverware.


Bless his heart, Saeki thought, watching the kid look for utensils. Pity it wasn't the correct drawer. "One more to the right, kid, and bring me three teaspoons and a knife," he said. "Sure you can have marshmallows--just grab a bag of them from the fridge and take them with you when you go back up. Don't think we have the small ones, but big marshmallows should do, right?" He'd go buy some mini ones later. He liked marshmallows in his hot chocolate, too, and Akira drank stuff so quickly the smaller ones would be easier for him.


Leaving Atsushi to the job of locating marshmallows and spoons, Saeki pulled down a tin of hot chocolate (Probably should buy some stock in this company, he thought) and used the spoon inside to scoop out the powder into three mugs. Need to get the kid a mug for himself, if he's going to be coming over more often. He should. Makes Ryou happy. "Hey, kid, what color do you like?" While waiting for the answer, he pulled down a tray, put two of the mugs on it, and then pulled out a plate. "Any jam you don't like?"


Atsushi took the utensils to Saeki first, and then went back to the refrigerator for the marshmallows. He almost answered the automatic 'I don't remember' or 'I don't know', but remembered that answering in such a way wasn't really productive to the conversation. "I'll have whatever Ryou's having," he answered instead, drawing on his interest to finding more similarities between he and his brother (other than blood and appearance). "I like...red," he decided. He couldn't remember ever being asked what colour he liked, though that wasn't really surprising.


He brought the bag of marshmallows over, holding it in both arms like a smooshy pillow. "I don't think the size of the marshmallow matters. Does it?" He watched Saeki make the sandwiches with a detached sort of interest that one usually reserves for observing science demonstrations.


Saeki chuckled. "They only matter if you don't bother waiting for them to soften or melt," he said, chuckling. Right, peanut butter and jelly. The last time he'd made some with grape jelly Ryou hadn't minded (at least, if there had been any complaints, Saeki hadn't heard them).


Red, huh? He could do that. Maybe two red mugs. He'd have to ask Ryou some time. Wouldn't be much of a Christmas present if he didn't make the money himself, though. Might be time to get a bit of a part-time thing on the side. "Sure thing, kid," he said, pulling both out. Hmm, creamy or crunchy? Creamy tended to get fewer complaints, so Saeki pulled that jar out too. "Want me to toast them?" Would take a bit of time, and it would have been fun if he could do it with powers instead of a toaster, but Ohtori wasn't around, so it wasn't as if he could do anything about it.


Toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...that was something that had never really occurred to Atsushi. Did Ryou like them? Was this a normal type of PB&J? He squished the marshmallow bag a little as he thought about it. "Maybe...toast one? Then we can choose, or share, or something." Night time snacks seemed to need some preparation before attempting. Along with correct directions to the kitchen, Atsushi made a mental note to remember to ask specific questions about food before leaving the room, next time.


Saeki noticed the squishing. "Careful, kid--don't squish them, they won't be as much fun," he said, putting two slices in the toaster. "I'll make you guys a mix, and you can share any way you want, okay?" Funny how different they were, and yet it was only to be expected. Different people, not to mention different upbringing, different experiences. "You two really are quite different," Saeki said, spreading grape jelly on untoasted bread. "How's it working out, having an older brother?"


The bag of marshmallows was placed almost immediately on the counter. "It's..." He struggled for a word. It was good, certainly, but also really strange. A lot of the time, it seemed like neither one was the elder twin. Often, Atsushi had difficulties describing what being the elder entailed, exactly. From observing the relationships between his peers and their siblings, he had yet to find a case that was similar enough to be useful to his own situation. "...New." New was a horrible word choice, but it seemed the most accurate.


"I think, maybe, it's easier for me, because I knew about us longer," Atsushi explained, thinking it over carefully, "But I'm not sure I know what I'm supposed to do, as his younger brother...?" He paused. He hadn't meant to turn that into a question. "But I like it a lot..." He said with a bright smile. "I'm glad you all kept him safe, because I probably wouldn't have found him if you hadn't. I don't know.." He smiled again, at Saeki. "Thank you."


"Beats me, kid, I don't have any siblings," Saeki said, shrugging. "He looks happy enough, now, so whatever you're doing's probably all right. And you should thank Yuushi," he added. "Didn't really expect him to come home with a stray. Ryou's kind of like our family pet. Guess that makes you one, too." He grinned. "PBJ's better than canned food any day, though."


"Pet..?" Atsushi repeated, confused. "I don't understand the comparison.."


Whoops. Saeki mentally kicked himself. "Yuushi came home one day with a kid--your brother. If you think about it, it's kind of like having someone walk in and say, "I found this cat ... can we keep him?" Er. Probably not the best way to tell Atsushi. "It wasn't like that-- oh, ask your brother. He's better at this sort of thing. I'm no good with stories."


"Um, okay.." He peeked at the toaster and resolved to ask Ryou later. "Is there an order to the mansion rooms?" He asked, suddenly wondering how he was going to get back to Ryou. "Or do I have to know where everything is..generally?" It's one thing to get lost on your own, but it's a whole other thing to get lost with a plate of food and two mugs of cooling hot chocolate. And a bag of marshmallows.


Saeki laughed. "Sorry, kid. We kind of just picked rooms we liked. But the three of us live pretty close together. None of us have problems navigating, but yeah, now that you mention it. Took me a while to figure things out, but it helps with this sense of smell. Why don't you go exploring with your brother? Should be an interesting thing to do on these sleepovers, right?"


The toaster popped just then. Saeki grabbed the bread and made another sandwich. "In the meantime, I'll walk you back. Don't want the hot chocolate to get cold while you find your way," he said. A thought occured to him, and he grinned. "Want us to put up signs on the walls?"


Atsushi gave a small laugh. "No, I think it might be better if I just walked around with Ryou." Even though signs would be supremely helpful. Or the occasional guide map. Or numbers on the doors. These things were all reminiscent of hotels and malls, though, and weren't really suited for mansion life. ...Unfortunately. "Thank you," Atsushi said, in response to Saeki's offer to walk him back. "And thank you for making us food and drinks...you really didn't have to."


"Gives me something to do. Makes me feel useful and all that," Saeki said, shrugging. "Sometimes, here, you know ... " He trailed off, realizing who he was talking to. "Oh, nothing. Just something to do. Don't mention it, kid," he said, patting Atsushi's head. Never mind that there were only three years between them--Saeki took being one of the older ones seriously. He picked up the tray with the mugs. "Go on and grab the marshmallows and sandwiches, kid," he said, preparing to head out.


"You know," Saeki said, almost off-handedly, "For a normally-raised kid, you're pretty accepting."


It was flattering that Atsushi had passed for a 'normally-raised kid'. He supposed, in retrospect, that he had some time being raised by his parents in the comfort and security of his home, but it was still a far cry from what Atsushi would define as a normal upbringing. He wasn't sure how to answer, since it wasn't really a question to begin with.


"Thank you," Atsushi murmured, and collected the food. "Though I'm not certain of what you mean. I wasn't raised...normally."


Whoops again. Foot in mouth much, Saeki? "Not like that," Saeki said. "Oh ... never mind. Didn't mean anything by it."


Atsushi blinked at him. "Oh. Okay." Not okay. Very confused. "Um. How good is your sense of smell?" He had been told that subject changes could ease unwanted tension in awkward conversation.


For a moment, Saeki stared at Atsushi, and then realized what the other had just done. He beamed, grateful. If he hadn't been holding a tray full of hot chocolate, he'd have hugged the kid. "Pretty good. Better than most people," he said. No point quantifying what even he couldn't quantify. "I can tell if you haven't showered in a few days," he said, giving Atsushi a grin. "So stay clean, okay? Easier on my nose."


Atsushi smiled, relieved that it had worked. "I'll remember," he said, and moved out into the hall. "Can you smell emotion? Or just...things?"


"Not exactly," Saeki said. "But if you're sweating, or there's a lot of adrenaline in the air ... I can smell that. I can almost taste the salt in sweaty palms. I can probably hear you if you start breathing hard when you shouldn't. Human bodies react. You kind of get used to it. I don't think about it--sometimes it feels like I've always been two in one, though it's only been a year since my full morph, and only a few since I started."


"Do you always land on your feet?" Atsushi blurted, "Or is that a common housecat thing, and not applicable to tigers?"


It took a moment to process that one, and then Saeki did laugh, throwing his head back as he shook, trying hard not to spill the drinks. "Yes," he managed to say, finally. Phew, if he had a free hand he might need to wipe the tears from his eyes. "Boy, kid, you ask excellent questions. Hang out with me any time. Got any more questions?"


A little embarrassed again, Atsushi shook his head. "I'm...okay." They miraculously had appeared outside Ryou's room, leaving Atsushi still without knowledge of how to get to the kitchen and back. He shifted things around in his hands until he could take the mugs from Saeki. "Thank you for everything," he said with a smile. "I hope I didn't keep you from something."


"Nope," Saeki said, letting Atsushi juggle things around. "Be good now, kids, you have to clean your own messes." He winked, then moved away. "I'll be in the kitchen a little longer--need to finish my own drink. Have fun."


"Good night," Atsushi said, going into the room with all the dishes and plates (and the bag of marshmallows) in his arms. He placed the spoils carefully on the table and explained the lack of cookies and milk to his brother. After everything that happened on his way to and from the kitchen, Atsushi understood a little more why Ryou liked staying at the mansion.

Comments

[hypomnesicdream.livejournal.com]

Aw~ PBJ's and hot cocoa. :D And Atsushi can probably stay over anytime he wants. Ryou thinks him being at the mansion on weekends when the construction is still on-going is a good idea. >> But he's...terribly biased. If a bit fascinated by all the cranes and lumber and stuff.

[love_archived]

<3 Thanks for posting it! <3

(Saeki's becoming a regular Mr Rogers ...)