genessia | Four | Action; Accidental Video

Entry tags:

Four | Action; Accidental Video

[Spirit has spent the last few months generally just going through the motions. The incident with Kefka and his puppets had shaken him far more than he was willing to admit, and he's kept very much to himself in its' wake. Working, entertaining a hungry Charlotte, keeping Stein from slicing random passers-by open and surreptitiously checking on Maka without seeming like a crazy person has taken up the bulk of his time. But he has been around just the same, even though he's been far from his usually chipper self.

Today is grocery shopping day. The kitchen cabinets are almost completely bare, seeing as Stein doesn't do the shopping and he's been avoiding it. It is here that the video feed starts, though the image is completely black--the phone is in his pocket. Muffled, if he's heard over the phone, is a sigh.]

Again? I feel like I just went for groceries. Probably should clean the cabinets out too, since the weather is getting warmer.

[He's clearly talking to himself, before finally:] Charlotte? Stein? I'm going to the store--do either of you want anything?

[A shape suggestive of a hand appears in the image of the video camera, and keys can be heard jangling just slightly as the video is turned off.]

[ooc: feel free to catch the video feed, or interact with Spirit on his ~~adventures~~ errands!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Charlotte's realm remained in one corner of the apartment, neatly roped off to avoid anyone accidentally stumbling in. She wasn't currently inside of it, however, and was sitting on the coffee table with a large block of cheese in her mouth. She wasn't eating it... Just holding it. She wasn't really doing much, finding staring at the far wall more interesting than the cartoons that had been turned on. She did this from time to time...

When Spirit spoke, she reached up and removed the cheese from her mouth out, tilting her head back until she did a reverse somersault down onto the floor. She landed with a soft yelp, trying not to roll or touch her cheese to the floor as she climbed unsteadily to her tiny feet.

"Spirit. I will go too! You will take me now." Already a mouse thing had appeared and was skittering over to take the cheese from her, but not before the little witch took an extra-big bite.

As quickly as she could she hobbled around the couch, tripping only once before throwing herself onto spirit's shoes, wrapping her arms around one of his legs, and refusing to let go.

He glances down at Charlotte, blinking. She's a generally cheerful presence, after all, but he's really quite tired--it's been tough to sleep and he spends quite a bit of time worriedly staring at the provided phone, wondering if it would be odd to check in on Maka again.

Anyway, Charlotte is currently sitting on his feet, a behavior indicative of her desire to go with him wherever it is he is going. So he stoops down enough to scoop the little plush-sized witch up and sets her on his shoulder with a sigh.

"It's probably easier just to tell me what you want, but if you want to come along that's fine too, I guess."

Charlotte let go of his leg as she was lifted, making herself quite comfortable on Spirit's shoulder, holding onto his hair for a moment until she had found her balance. She was so light that any accidental pulling wouldn't be more than mildly uncomfortable.

She had calmed down somewhat living in Spirit's apartment. She probably felt more secure in her cheese supply, though she was no less demanding when she wanted something.

"Cheese!" Of course that's what she wanted, the runed words drifting from her bouncing excitedly into his vision somewhat. "And sunshine!" The second request might have been a bit surprising, though she had been cooped up for quite some time.

She didn't say anything else for now, though knowing her, she would pick things out as she saw them. The only given was cheesecake. If she saw it then she would go for it. No hesitation.

"Cheese I can handle."

Spirit pays little mind to the gentle tugging of hair. He's used to her little fingers being wrapped up in the strends as she gets herself settled; he hardly notices too when she continues to hold on for balance.

"Sunshine is a little out of my scope here, but the weather report says it should be nice today."

With that the two are off. They aren't too far from the store anyway, which is probably good for the little witch.

A very good thing indeed. She was already squirming on his shoulder as they stepped outside, wisps of Charlotte's realm following them some distance off the ground. She struggled to stand on his shoulder, both arms reaching up to hold onto Spirit's head and hair to keep herself from falling. Though fortunately, if she did fall, she would not be hurt by the impact.

As they walked there was constant movement at the corners of spirit's vision. Plush mice had followed them, appearing and disappearing as they moved here and there. They weren't very bright, as usual, their sneaking ruined by their constant bumping into things and general noise making. Fortunately, they weren't as dangerous as the nurses and really only posed a significant tripping hazard for any other pedestrians along the way.

Several cupcakes and a platter doughnuts appeared on a nearby fire hydrant, several small melons and a pineapple falling from a nearby bush to roll across the sidewalk and into the street. It was fairly innocent for not and it shouldn't escalate too much provided she doesn't get overly excited. Hopefully there wasn't some sort of cheesecake clearance sale down at the store.

On a good day, he finds the plush mice distracting. Days like today he finds them irritating--the quiet squeaking grates on his nerves and the movement in his peripheral vision is enough to leave him on perpetual edge. On top of the movement is the occasional stray cupcake or piece of fruit. He's gotten good at nudging them out of the way without expending any great energy; a watermelon rolls into their path and he hardly flinches as he bops it with the edge of his shoe. It ends up in the bushes, where hopefully a passing animal will be pleased with the free snack.

As it's the middle of the day, the grocery store isn't too terribly busy. Spirit makes the executive decision that cheese should be the first stop on the list--with any luck, he can give her a nice chunk and settle her in the pocket on his jacket, like a child taking a nap.

"All right, kiddo. You have your pick of the cheeses here." One hand gestures to the small display. "Just pick something that won't crush my head if you drop it, okay?"

It's an amusing--however serious--warning for her not to choose the heavy wheel of cheese at the bottom of the display.

It seemed good fortune was on Spirit's side today. Most of the plush mice vanished when they went into the store, though one or two still seemed to be hanging around as evidence by their appearance when they approached the cheese rack. In addition no one else seemed to be browsing the various cheeses which no doubt would have made the little witch angry. To top it all off she was too elevated to see the massive cheese wheel, completely fixated on what was in front of her.

One of the mice hopped up onto the rack, only disturbing a few blocks and squished its face into a yellow and white jack, lifting it. The other went for tub of blue which was closer to the bottom.

"Cheese!" She was flailing a little, reaching and leaning forward until Spirit got close enough for her to wrap her arm around a block of cheddar. Thus far things seemed to be going smoothly, though spirit should probably grab a bit of extra cheese and finish quickly just in case the cheddar isn't enough to keep her occupied.

As long as Charlotte didn't see any cheesecake they were in the clear...

Your phone was switched on at the pocket. I never would have thought pocket dialling would be a thing.

[He had never seen it before, so this was new to him.]

[He sighs.]

Sorry about that. I think it was all the junk in my pocket--especially the keys.

How are you doing today, Fai? Not pocket diailing, I hope."

You must have a lot in just one pocket. Maybe you should invest in more pockets~

[He laughs slightly.]

I'm doing alright, No pocket dialling here.

[The lack of groceries is probably partly Stein's fault. He's been hitting a growth spurt recently, not quite visible yet but enough to ramp up his metabolism to the mythic "teenage boy" status. It's going to stay elevated for the next eight years or so, so Spirit should get used to going out for groceries more often than once a week.]

What are you making for dinner?

[Stein's sort of sprawled out on the sofa, reading. That's really all he's had opportunity to do here. There aren't any missions or scheduled training here.]

I don't know. Maybe you could cook dinner.

[You know. Just like how Stein could go grocery shopping. When hell has frozen over. The weapon sighs. Stein's need to avoid all housework is exhausting--which isn't too say he hasn't been exhausted regardless, anyway.]

What do you want?

Alplermagronen. [Not like Spirit's actually going to make relatively obscure Swiss comfort food. But it's worth the comment.

Stein's been sort of sullen and grumpy ever since arriving in Genessia, months ago. He and Spirit just reflect their bad moods back at each other, and it's not a good situation at all.]

What is that?

[So maybe he'll play along because it's easier to pretend that he never learned anything about Swedish food for his particular meister who had a penchant for skipping meals.

He's really tired.]

Is there cheese in it? You know it's almost impossible to get cheese anywhere in here with Charlotte around.

It's macaroni and cheese with potatoes and applesauce. [So yes. Cheese. Stein will fight the tiny witch for cheese.]

If you distract her then I'll try making it.

[The redhead is nonchalantly digging for his keys in his pocket, trying to recall the recipe he'd used for this years ago. It had actually come out decently, so he knows be can do it again.]

Dissecting doesn't count.

I won't dissect her. [He can totally just tie her up.]

Otherwise capturing her doesn't count either, Stein.

She's like a puppy. Feed her some, she'll take a nap--no big deal.

[But he's already out the door. He doesn't want grocery shopping to become an all day affair, after all.

Though it does, as it's almost an hour before he's back--all ingredients for Stein's unpronouncable but requested dish in hand. Charlotte blessedly fell asleep after being fed in the store, as he anticipated. When he gets back, he settles the plush witch in the corner of her usual realm before settling the collection of shopping bags on the kitchen counter.]

All right. Let me put stuff away, then I'll try making your alpamagn...your macaroni and you know what with potatoes and apples.

[His jacket is slung over a chair and tie removed and stuffed into a pocket, because anything flammable is not permitted near the kitchen. It isn't that he's a bad cook. In fact, Spirit thinks he's at least a passable one. He is, however, clumsy enough to occasionally set things on fire that should really not be burning.

It won't take long for groceries to be away, and he rolls up his sleeves before placing a pot in the sink.]

All right. Weird Swedish pasta...thing coming right up.

...I hope.

[Just like he has for months, he sounds enough like himself. The word choice and mannerisms are similar enough to convince most. But nervous habits that Stein might remember from when they were students are cropping up frequently: fidgeting with his collar, with whatever utensils he's working with, checking and rechecking and generally just visibly on edge.]

[Spirit's a mess, and Stein doesn't like it. They're partners, and Spirit's anxiety echoes back through the faint connection between them and sets Stein on edge as well. It's no good, but it's not quite something Stein understands or can articulate at this age. Maybe in a decade or two, when he gets his doctorate in soul theory.

What Stein says (instead of anything useful) is:]

Swiss, not Swedish.

[Stein slinks into the kitchen, hands shoved in his pockets. Part of his reluctance to do anything around the house stems from the fact that despite medical attention and physical therapy, his arm isn't healing like he wants it to, and he doesn't have full range of motion back. This fact, of course, is not something that he's let Spirit see. Stein doesn't want to know what would happen if Spirit found out that what happened last year may have permanently limited the meister's ability to fight.

So Stein's been hiding it as much as he can, and just letting Spirit worry about other things and do the housework. Housework and cooking attempts.]

What are you going to do to it?

Swiss. Sorry.

[Spirit blinks, placing the pot on the stove. The stove top clicks and then whooshes to life as he sets the lid on top to encourage the water to boil.]

Do to what? The pasta?

[The weapon pulls out a chair at the table for the meister, placing the cutting board in the counter. Much like the meister had noticed that he's on continuous edge, Spirit is aware that Stein favors his other arm. Frequently he worries that there's lingering damage--damage that he should have helped prevent, helped heal. But Stein doesn't comment on it, and with the amount of other things on his mind, neither does he.]

I haven't made this in a long time. I tried making it for Maka once when she was younger--she didn't like the apples with everything.

[Unknowingly he's holding the knife tighter in his hand, knuckles white and hands near shaking.]

I didn't know you knew how to make it. [Stein sits, and watches, and thinks about how he must have taught Spirit the recipe at some point that hasn't happened yet.]

If you cut yourself, I can fix it. [Yeah, Stein sees that white-knuckled grip and tension.]

What? I won't cut my hand. I'm a lot better since we lived together.

[And he would have been more careful if he hadn't been surprised by Stein's comment, if it hadn't sent a quick shiver down his spine at the thought of the meister stitching him up.

But the potato is cut without issue. His grip is just as tight but at least all digits have remained intact to be involved in apple slicing.]

....likE I said. Haven't made it in years. Don't get excited, it could still be awful.

You're nervous. Your hand might slip, and then you'd cut your finger open, and then I'd get to stitch it up.

I'm not nervous. Would you just stop looming like a vultu--shit!

[Spirit doesn't curse frequently, but the neat slice in his finger was enough to elicit the startled cry. He drops the knife in his haste to pull his hand away, gritting his teeth. The weapon is quickly at the sink, the water running as hot as he can tolerate, gritting his teeth.]

Keep your ass over there, Stein. You're not stitching anything!

[It's an unusually cross remark for the redhead to make, particularly to his meister. His back is still to Stein as he runs uninjured hand through his hair in frustration, grumbling more to himself than to Stein:] Damn it.

[ooc and that when is now]

[There's blood, and Spirit's gasp of pain, and Stein really wants to grab at Spirit's hand and stitch it up.

(Fix it, that's what he wants to do even if he doesn't quite know how to clarify it even to himself. He wants to fix something even though he can't fix everything. Their souls are all so out of balance right now.)

But then his weapon just chases him off, and Stein's left sort of uselessly grabbing at air instead.]

You're hurt, senpai.

[He's right handed, he's right handed and he's cut open his index finger on his left hand, and what is he supposed to do to fix that? And it's still bleeding, it's bleeding a lot and he already knows Stein is right, he was right before the cut even happened--deep enough to need stitches, to actually need to be attended to with more than soap, water and a band-aid.

The weapon will have to sacrifice a dishcloth to the cause, wrapping it tightly around the cut and glancing at the meister in the chair behind him.]

S...sorry. I'm sorry, Stein. [Spirit blinks and sinks into a chair at the kitchen table himself, his forehead in his free palm.]

I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just-- [He swallows.] It hurt. Sorry.

[This is the closest he's going to get to outright asking Stein to fix it. He doesn't want to ask, and he doesn't want to have to ask, but he also knows that Stein is right. It isn't the first time he's grudgingly allowed the meister to patch up an injury. It likely won't be the last, either.]

[The boy steps closer, then reaches out and grabs at Spirit's sleeve and tries to tug the man's hand close to him before Spirit can make any sudden moves.]

Let me fix you.

[There's no fight left, so there's little resistance as Stein pulls his wrist closer. In fact, he scoots the chair closer as well, glancing at the table between them as Stein inspects his hand.]

...thanks.

[There's a needle and surgical thread in Stein's pocket, and a sealed alcohol wipe to sort of sterilize it, and Spirit's washed out the wound enough, but there's nothing topical he can apply to numb it.

He makes sure Spirit's hand is resting on the table, and pulls the washcloth away from the wound. Stein needs to look at it first.]

I don't have any anesthesia. [That doesn't change Stein's ideas of what he's going to do, but if he and Spirit are going to fix up their partnership then he needs to be as transparent as he can.]

That's ok.

[Well, maybe it's not okay--or at least, not great--but he can tolerate it. The alcohol will burn, the stitches will tug, but he'll grit his teeth and look away and bear it, and maybe physical pain is easier to understand than the nonstop cacophony of nervous energy that he's been for months, and maybe that's better.

Physical pain he knows what to do with.

Not that he doesn't vibrate with nervous energy still, drumming his fingers on the table as he waits for Stein to finish inspecting whatever it is he's inspecting and get started.]

[Stein likes stitching things. There's something soothing about the repetition of needle through skin, of putting things back together after they've come apart. He likes it, even if Spirit does keep fidgeting and wincing as he works on the cut.

It's small, so there aren't many stitches at all, and in just a few moments Stein's done.]

There.

I'll finish cooking.

Thanks.

[He would like to find the act of being stitched something to like, but Spirit doesn't. The scythe hesitantly wiggles the fingers when Stein lets go, musing that he thought he'd stayed still enough But he's dug his nails into the palm of his uninjured hand just the same.

Spirit is back to his feet quickly though, the frown still in place. The potato was thankfully spared any blood spatter--and thank goodness for buying more than one apple. He gather's the dirty apple and throws it into the trash, then sticking both the cutting board and the knife into the sink and turning on the tap. It's tough to wash them with one hand, but he'll make do.]

...you don't ever cook.

[As if Stein wouldn't eat something just because it had a little bit of blood on it. It's getting cooked anyway, the threat of bloodborne pathogens is something every meister learns to ignore because of constantly fighting to the death against monsters with bladed weapons, and Stein in particular has never cared about inadvertently ingesting blood.

A second cutting board and knife make their appearance, and Stein starts cutting.]

I'm not any good at it. [But with Spirit out of commission for right now, Stein will have to cook for himself if he wants the particular food he's craving.]

[Just because they encounter far too much blood in their line of work does not mean that Spirit is keen on ingesting any.

ANYWAY.

Spirit turns to the pot which has since started boiling, and he adds pasta with a glance at the clock.

Despite moving around the kitchen, he still feels like he's a ball of electric nervous energy, uncomfortable and wound tight.]

Just cut up the apple. I can do the rest with one hand, mostly.

[He may not be as talented at cooking as Nozaki, but Mikoshiba has decided to try to be helpful by shopping for groceries! He has a cart piled up with a random assortment of food that borders on impractical, with too many canned coffee drinks covering the bottom of the cart to count. But he's trying.

Right now, he's holding up a box of different flavored popsicles and reading what flavors come in the box when he notices a shock of red hair. A quick glance over his shoulder reveals it to be Spirit.

Why is he here? What could a weapon possibly need at a grocery store? Is Spirit following him? He didn't notice him yet, did he?

With an incredibly not inconspicuous gasp, he hides his face behind the box he's looking at and freezes, hoping Spirit hasn't seen him yet.]

[Spirit isn't the only one getting some shopping done. Satsuki Kiryuin is also meandering up and down the shopping isles. One might ask what she's doing here instead of Nova City and, well.. Frankly when she came here with Maka, there was something nice about it.

The bad news is that coming her by herself is actually a real drag. Adorn in surprisingly casual clothing of jeans and shirt, she ends up walking along the meat and cheese isle- likely exactly where Spirit is.

The Guardian herself carries a simple basket that has fruits, nuts, and some packaged cookies (for a certain koiball).

If he isn't paying attention, a distinct clack of her heels may make her presence known before she speaks, almost in a surprised tone.]

Albarn?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Four | Action; Accidental Video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video;

Re: video;

video;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Ironically the original tag had him cutting his finger. whoops

hahaha

He's going to. 'Tis a matter of when

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[Action]

no subject