[It would come as no surprise to anyone who knew Mukuro, but as soon as replies started coming into the post, he was eagerly reading all the responses, drinking them in. It was hard to keep from laughing, so he didn't even bother to try. It was a good thing it was normal for him to cackle at all hours of the day without sharing, after all.
Chikusa's naivety was as endearing as it always was. Mukuro would let the response sit unaswered for an hour or so before penning something appropriate.]
Maru One out of many doesn't sound too terrible. Perhaps make a pros and cons list?
Getting to know someone is usually easy. Most people are eager to talk about themselves, you just have to ask questions and listen.
[Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to whittle away an hour. Plenty of people still need to be responded to, whether for an active condemnation of what was apparently a stupid course of action or a bland acceptance of a suggestion. Inbetween, well. His yoyos are delicate equipment. It helps in the long run to do maintenance on them. When his inbox pings and he sees the name- the useful one, with the only decent advice- Chikusa carefully puts his yoyo back together while reading at the same time. A pros and cons list...]
[Pro: dating a cashier could potentially get him discounts. Con: Ken would smell a foreign scent on him and get territorial. Pro: he would have something else to do besides stay at the Kokuyo Health Center. Con: Mukuro-sama would find out and probably toy with him. Pro: maybe this would elevate the strange feeling in his chest to something pleasant instead of something more like a grenade to be held as far away from him as possible. Con: it would distract him from Mukuro-sama.]
[Hrm.]
[As he puts away his yoyo, Chikusa sighs. To an outsider, it would be nothing more than that. In his mind, however, it's the equivalent of sinking down in his seat and pressing his face against the desk.]
[Though Mukuro would have paid good money to read that pros and cons list, he already had a pretty good guess as to what would be on it. He had been intent on responding right away to the response as soon as he got the notification, but Fran demanded attention ( which meant training and punishment ) so it was half an hour before he could post. Hopefully Chikusa would take the lapses in time favorably.]
Maru Usually things like where someone is from, how many siblings they have, any likes or dislikes.
Do you not talk to many people?
[As he waited for Chikusa's response, he couldn't help but scroll through what else he'd posted on the forum, snickering at the blunt responses to some of the more terrible pieces of advise, idly knocking Fran down with a few crows any time he got too close or too whiny.]
[-the lapse in time is taken just fine, since the response comes almost immediately after "Maru" has posted. It has the honor of being the most blatant show so far of favoritism, with "Kurēn" having skipped over at least a good handful of other responses to the board to talk to the other. Quite a change from the usual orderly manner he's managed so far.]
[Even though Mukuro had known the answer, the blunt reply had him snickering to himself. How cute, Chikusa. The response was quicker this time:]
Maru I can help you practice, if you like. How would you try to start conversation?
[The blatant favoritism wasn't missed either. It was an stroke to his ego that even under this guise, he could still capture Chikusa's attention like none other.]
[Instead of a notification for a response back to him, Mukuro will find Maru's inbox suddenly pinging. Talking about his problem on a forum like that was enough public discussion of his personal life. Something like this calls for a bit of privacy.]
A normal way to start things is with something like "How has your day been?", right?
[At least that's something. Staying quiet means getting to overhear a lot of other people's conversations.]
[My, my, so aggressive. Mukuro was torn between being pleased that a joke account he had set up was enough to get this much interest from Chikusa and irritated that he had never really thought Chikusa capable of this behavior. Surprises like this tended to annoy him, if only because it brought to mind the last time he had miscalculated so severely.
Still, it was endearing all the same so Mukuro wouldn't punish Chikusa just yet. Well, anymore than revealing himself as 'Maru' would.]
Correct. So far, my day has been very fruitful. I found a new park that's pretty secluded and quiet. How has your day been?
[If there'd been any way for Chikusa to know about he had caught the other man off-guard, perhaps he would have been on some faint level pleased. It wasn't anything against Mukuro-sama. It was simply that a lifetime of being quiet and unassuming had taught Chikusa valuable lessons. One of them was that it was easy to keep secrets without even trying so long as you didn't talk very much. Even things you didn't really necessarily mean to keep secret.]
[That sort of thing threw people off-guard, which worked out fine for him more often than not. The fact that it's working even on his Mukuro-sama means it's better than expected.]
[For the time being, however, no such thoughts go through his head. Instead, there's a minor delay in response as he stares blandly at the screen. This is as far as his "regular conversation" skills really carry him. After the cliche start, well... That's where it gets personalized, isn't it?]
[Which is the point. He knows that. It doesn't make it any less awkward. If he were the type of person to fidget, he would.]
[It takes a bit- maybe ten minutes- for his careful fingers to type out a response.]
Uneventful. You like parks?
[Other people will talk plenty about themselves... Right?]
['His Mukuro-sama' huh? Well, it's not like Mukuro would protest. Being possessive and possessing came in cycles like everything else. Besides, being able to get such a strong feeling out of Chikusa had taken careful work, so of course Mukuro would accept it.
Though it seemed like Chikusa was stalling. Mukuro was torn between wanting to actually nurture Chikusa's social skills ( even now he could recall what his future self had done, how he had purposefully stunted himself and everyone around him ) and continuing to tease. Well, he was talented enough for both.
Casually he trapped Fran in an illusion to keep him quiet when Chikusa's painfully short reply appeared.]
Yes. I like being outside in the sunshine, surrounded by nature.
What is your favorite place to be?
[You're not getting out of this so easily, Chikusa.]
[It would be too easy if he'd been allowed that, wouldn't it? Another soft sigh escapes between his teeth. It's only a practice conversation. Theoretically, he could lie, and it would be fine. Yet would that do well for a lesson he was aiming to apply to a personal and real life situation...]
[He'd probably be having the same sort of conversation and have to employ the same method of skillfully not telling the whole truth in the "real" run. Lying by omission is something he can do, on the basis of how not omitting would require talking.]
I think I'm similar. I like being outside as well, yet at the same time, it's too dirty.
Is that something you have to deal with?
[An extra seven minutes just to write half of that instead of another bland answer. At least, he assumes if it's not suitable enough, he'll be told.]
[There was no point in trying to stop himself from chuckling. While it was adorable, Chikusa's first steps into conversation, the reason he was like this was because he had Ken and Mukuro (and occasionally M.M. or Fran) to speak for him when necessary. It wasn't a failing on Chikusa, but of Mukuro's.
Idly, he typed out a quick reply. There would be no real wait period in an actual conversation after all:]
It's only natural dirt would be outside. Like many unfavorable things, it's easier to accept than get irritated by it.
[Mukuro wouldn't give him the crutch of a question, instead, waiting in bemusement to see what Chikusa had to say.]
[A year ago, he wouldn't have considered it a failing at all. Unfortunately, to his annoyance, recent events have had to put this view into being reconsidered. Chikusa doesn't like it.]
[The fact that things are rapidly being hit back to him doesn't escape his notice. It's more than a little uncomfortable.]
No.
[...He should have taken longer and written more, but it's too late for that now. Chikusa adjusts his glasses, and quietly strangles any thoughts about doing much else that would betray how annoyed he is at himself.]
[It's rare for Chikusa to voice any disagreement, and for a moment Mukuro was just going to look at the screen, torn between amusement and concern. Perhaps he had pushed too far? Unfortunately it wasn't in his nature to be soft or to coddle anyone.]
[It's a good thing it takes a while for Chikusa to respond, because it's right in the middle of typing his own reply that his inbox flashes again and he reads the new addition. It's taken into consideration... even if that means for a moment all he does is stare at it.]
[What. Does he do with this.]
[The result is that it takes fourteen minutes to send out a reply. And he was almost doing well, too.]
Needlework.
There's no need to apologize to me. Would it matter if I understood or not?
[Everyone believed in you, Chikusa. Still, the response was humorous enough, almost worth the wait. Mukuro may have cackled for a good minute after he read 'needlework' but Fran was the only one who would have known for sure and he was busy fighting off illusions.]
Why needlework?
It does matter. It helps people feel connected if you can share similar experiences.
[He was prepared for a question to that, at least, so soon enough he seems to awkwardly get back to just barely under the ten minute mark. He's trying so hard, he really is.]
It takes a lot of concentration and keeps my hands busy. If you don't have a good eye, you'll ruin what you set out to accomplish or even hurt yourself.
If I didn't understand, would you not enjoy swimming as much?
[Good job Chikusa they were all rooting for you. As a reward, Mukuro was going to take a bit more time with this response in order to let Chikusa compose himself.]
It sounds interesting when you put it that way. Do you have pictures of anything you've made?
It wouldn't affect me, but most people like to believe that they have shared experiences with others. Common ground is where most people create friendships.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
warmskies) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
badliifechoiice22016-01-08 10:36 am
no subject
Chikusa's naivety was as endearing as it always was. Mukuro would let the response sit unaswered for an hour or so before penning something appropriate.]
Maru
One out of many doesn't sound too terrible. Perhaps make a pros and cons list?
Getting to know someone is usually easy. Most people are eager to talk about themselves, you just have to ask questions and listen.
no subject
[Pro: dating a cashier could potentially get him discounts. Con: Ken would smell a foreign scent on him and get territorial. Pro: he would have something else to do besides stay at the Kokuyo Health Center. Con: Mukuro-sama would find out and probably toy with him. Pro: maybe this would elevate the strange feeling in his chest to something pleasant instead of something more like a grenade to be held as far away from him as possible. Con: it would distract him from Mukuro-sama.]
[Hrm.]
[As he puts away his yoyo, Chikusa sighs. To an outsider, it would be nothing more than that. In his mind, however, it's the equivalent of sinking down in his seat and pressing his face against the desk.]
Kurēn
Noted.
What are considered average questions to ask?
no subject
Maru
Usually things like where someone is from, how many siblings they have, any likes or dislikes.
Do you not talk to many people?
[As he waited for Chikusa's response, he couldn't help but scroll through what else he'd posted on the forum, snickering at the blunt responses to some of the more terrible pieces of advise, idly knocking Fran down with a few crows any time he got too close or too whiny.]
no subject
Kurēn
No.
[-the lapse in time is taken just fine, since the response comes almost immediately after "Maru" has posted. It has the honor of being the most blatant show so far of favoritism, with "Kurēn" having skipped over at least a good handful of other responses to the board to talk to the other. Quite a change from the usual orderly manner he's managed so far.]
no subject
Maru
I can help you practice, if you like. How would you try to start conversation?
[The blatant favoritism wasn't missed either. It was an stroke to his ego that even under this guise, he could still capture Chikusa's attention like none other.]
no subject
A normal way to start things is with something like "How has your day been?", right?
[At least that's something. Staying quiet means getting to overhear a lot of other people's conversations.]
no subject
Still, it was endearing all the same so Mukuro wouldn't punish Chikusa just yet. Well, anymore than revealing himself as 'Maru' would.]
Correct. So far, my day has been very fruitful. I found a new park that's pretty secluded and quiet. How has your day been?
no subject
[That sort of thing threw people off-guard, which worked out fine for him more often than not. The fact that it's working even on his Mukuro-sama means it's better than expected.]
[For the time being, however, no such thoughts go through his head. Instead, there's a minor delay in response as he stares blandly at the screen. This is as far as his "regular conversation" skills really carry him. After the cliche start, well... That's where it gets personalized, isn't it?]
[Which is the point. He knows that. It doesn't make it any less awkward. If he were the type of person to fidget, he would.]
[It takes a bit- maybe ten minutes- for his careful fingers to type out a response.]
Uneventful. You like parks?
[Other people will talk plenty about themselves... Right?]
no subject
Though it seemed like Chikusa was stalling. Mukuro was torn between wanting to actually nurture Chikusa's social skills ( even now he could recall what his future self had done, how he had purposefully stunted himself and everyone around him ) and continuing to tease. Well, he was talented enough for both.
Casually he trapped Fran in an illusion to keep him quiet when Chikusa's painfully short reply appeared.]
Yes. I like being outside in the sunshine, surrounded by nature.
What is your favorite place to be?
[You're not getting out of this so easily, Chikusa.]
no subject
[He'd probably be having the same sort of conversation and have to employ the same method of skillfully not telling the whole truth in the "real" run. Lying by omission is something he can do, on the basis of how not omitting would require talking.]
I think I'm similar. I like being outside as well, yet at the same time, it's too dirty.
Is that something you have to deal with?
[An extra seven minutes just to write half of that instead of another bland answer. At least, he assumes if it's not suitable enough, he'll be told.]
no subject
Idly, he typed out a quick reply. There would be no real wait period in an actual conversation after all:]
It's only natural dirt would be outside. Like many unfavorable things, it's easier to accept than get irritated by it.
[Mukuro wouldn't give him the crutch of a question, instead, waiting in bemusement to see what Chikusa had to say.]
no subject
[The fact that things are rapidly being hit back to him doesn't escape his notice. It's more than a little uncomfortable.]
No.
[...He should have taken longer and written more, but it's too late for that now. Chikusa adjusts his glasses, and quietly strangles any thoughts about doing much else that would betray how annoyed he is at himself.]
no subject
No? What do you do when something irritates you?
no subject
It depends on what it is. Sometimes I just wait for things to pass.
no subject
What if it doesn't pass?
no subject
Then I get rid of it, if I can.
We're talking a lot about me. Your profile says you swim.
[It's a bit of an abrupt topic change, but making smooth transitions in conversation is... still something he has to work on.]
no subject
I find most people like to talk about themselves.
But that is correct. I just recently formed a swim team with some friends, and I am enjoying it so far. Do you participate in any sports?
no subject
no subject
It's soothing, being in the water. It's just me, my thoughts, and my own actions I have to account for. Everything else sort of washes away.
[Mukuro would wait a few moments to let that first message sink in, before lazily adding:]
If that makes any sense. It's strange, I'm sorry.
no subject
[What. Does he do with this.]
[The result is that it takes fourteen minutes to send out a reply. And he was almost doing well, too.]
Needlework.
There's no need to apologize to me. Would it matter if I understood or not?
no subject
Why needlework?
It does matter. It helps people feel connected if you can share similar experiences.
no subject
It takes a lot of concentration and keeps my hands busy. If you don't have a good eye, you'll ruin what you set out to accomplish or even hurt yourself.
If I didn't understand, would you not enjoy swimming as much?
no subject
It sounds interesting when you put it that way. Do you have pictures of anything you've made?
It wouldn't affect me, but most people like to believe that they have shared experiences with others. Common ground is where most people create friendships.
no subject
No.
I see. I don't think I've experienced that kind of feeling in the same way you have, however.
no subject
Have you felt anything similar?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
tl;dr
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)