Ø4

[painlessfighter]

[VIDEO. Natsuo can be seen lounging on his couch in his townhome (see icon). He yawns, stretches, rests his hands behind his head...]

Lame. If I actually lived here, I wouldn't just be some kid in town. I would be much better than that.

Hey, was that supposed to scare us or something? Even the zombies were scarier than that, and they weren't even scary.

[... He does narrow his eyes a bit at that thought, and his ear twitches... but he shakes his head and banishes those sorts of thoughts.]

Where is everyone? Are we closer to going home yet?

Comments

[painlessfighter]

Yay! [He moves to stand out of her way, taking his glass of water with him. He's seen what happens when Youji tries to pester Soubi when Soubi's dealing with soup - namely Youji ends up covered in it, after which yelling ensues. While it's greatly amusing to watch, he has no desire to suffer the same fate. ♥]

But you said they were different circumstances. So it still isn't doing the same thing twice.

Huh? ... So... what did you say? [It's not at all accusatory. It's actually just 100% curiosity.]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie brings the pot over the table, where she already has a potholder set] Have a seat.

And hasn't it occurred to you that they could do something similar that's not quite the same?

[Sophie sighs, sitting down at the table and dishing up a bowl for Natsuo] The other person said that we were already home and just hadn't realised it yet. So I said, naturally, that my home is with my husband and son. [she stops, taking a moment to swallow the lump in her throat. she sets the bowl down in front of him, but she keeps her eyes on it. she can't bring herself to look at him] Natsuo, it made me believe I had a husband and family here.

[painlessfighter]

[He thinks about that while he takes his seat.] … I guess, but it’s still not the same.

So... you think that since you said that, they made it happen? [He tilts his head.] That just makes them even more rude. Hey, all the more reason to find them!

[fortune_sought]

[she sits down, focusing on dishing out a bowl for herself. but she turns to him in surprise at that comment] Yes. Yes, of course! I wouldn't suggest anything else.

[in fact, she feels like she should be protesting, but she can't think of any protests to give. after a moment, she simply says:] Thank you, Natsuo.

[painlessfighter]

Right!

[He blinks.] Huh? Why? What did I do?

[fortune_sought]

[she reddens a bit] For--for joining me for dinner, of course. Eat up.

[painlessfighter]

[He’s none the wiser. He just sighs as he spoons some of the stew into his bowl.] You’re so sappy, Sophie. [But clearly that doesn't matter, in the face of:] This stew looks really good!

[fortune_sought]

[she gives him an indignant look--but decides to let that pass, considering his comment about the stew mollifies her] Let me know how it tastes.

[painlessfighter]

[He tries it even though it's probably still reallyreallyhot aaaand...]

It's good! I wish someone back home could cook like you. Maybe living with Soubi would be easier that way.

[fortune_sought]

[she smiles at that answer, though she just blows on her own for now] I could always teach you if you'd like.

[painlessfighter]

Okay! [waaait.] ... But then I'd have to cook for all of them. Because I'd be the best. Boo.

You didn't see that misfire!

[fortune_sought]

[she snorts] You could always teach them.