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[glub]

Rafayel

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they say when you give a man a fish he eats for one day when you teach a man to fish they try to empty out the claw machine

[ thank you for my life, peace. ]

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[glub]

[ hello? this isn't shikamusume...

opposite to that, rafayel takes a more leisurely approach to getting there. when he does, he can already see her peeking through the window of the bakery, and he gives a small huff. ] You do know we're going to shop for food, right?

Are you the kind of person who likes to fill up so you don't get lured into overbuying?

[ignoreher]

[ despite the fact she was expecting him to turn up, the sudden appearance makes her spin around in surprise. but that cute expression doesn't last long before her face settles to the familiar frown, poking his stomach sharply. ]

I know that! And of course! That's the only smart way to shop, Rafayel, so you can save money where it matters.

[ ... but she's still turning back to the bakery, pressing her hand against the glass. ]

And not spending it on stuff you don't need, like freshly baked rolls and fruit tarts. [ gosh, she wishes she was spending money on freshly baked rolls and fruit tarts. ] ... They smell really good though, don't they...?

[ please. she's in mourning. ]

[glub]

[ a missed opportunity to have scared her...

or so he considers briefly. ]

I didn't know you were so worried. Guess you aren't Miss Manager for nothing. [ honestly, rafayel is still becoming accustomed to the currency here. considering his wealth back in linkon city, it was relatively easy to let it slip by him here. after all, it isn't like rafayel put a lot of value into money to begin with.

still, at her words... he doesn't say anything. he just enters the bakery.

whether she follows along with him or not, he does pick up a fresh roll for her. ]

[ignoreher]

[ she's not following, but she's watching him from the window.

...

...?

that's not for her, is it? he's gonna eat it in front of her, isn't it. rafayel





is nice, actually, she can't even say he's a total jerk or mean or anything, they're friends for a reason. still, she must look pretty funny pressing against the window, curious as can be. ]

[glub]

[ he can see her from inside the store, and he can't help but laugh at how ridiculous she looks pressed up like that. after a moment, he comes back out with the one roll wrapped neatly in its paper packaging and holds it in place over he head, his wrist resting on top of it....

just to be annoying. ]

You know, I don't think even the paparazzi have got that desperate when following me.

[ignoreher]

[ hello??? give her that roll if it's for her... she is too mature to jump for it unfortunately, but her hands do come up to take it. gimme. ]

Then they're clearly not dedicated enough. I've heard tales [ from gebura ] that they'd hide in trash cans just for a single shot of their target, you know?

[glub]

In the trash cans? [ ... ]

How would you know that? [ how does one... find out? do they just pop out of like a "gotcha!" moment? he seems to be mulling over this as he's now gently releasing the bread into her hands now.

he really does feel like he's feeding a small animal here. ]

[ignoreher]

[ yaaaaaaaaaay yesssssssss bread... he'll feel even more like he is as she chomps into it, humming softly. so good. ]

One of my coworkers was pretty famous in her heyday. [ picking off pieces now... she'll offer one that's not been near her mouth. ] She'd always complain about it.

[glub]

[ for some reason, he's already picturing her to be some type of former idol? it would explain away some of how malkuth seemed to comfortable as her role as a manager here, at least. but, he also doesn't press it further.

a librarian who was a former idol... seemed like they would be popular, actually. absently, he's taking a bite of the piece of bread she holds out, nipping down on the edge to pull it closer to him first. ]

Then should I be glad I didn't have it that bad? Or should I be scared that I have you instead?

[ not him treating her like a stalker. ]

[ignoreher]

You should be happy to have me instead. I'm an excellent bodyguard, remember?

[ stalker schmalker. she'll tear off another bit for herself, bumping him slightly with her shoulder. ]

Let's go, buddy. I'll kick any cans that start to shake.

[glub]

[ he shakes his head, letting out a sigh like he's troubles (he's not). ]

Okay, okay. I'm right here, you know. No need to rush me.

[ following in step with her. ]

Now that you had something in your stomach, you won't be distracted once we're in the store, right? [ wasn't that what she said? ]

[ignoreher]

[ that is what she said, pretty much. however: ]

That's general advice for you too.

[ here. have another piece of bread. ]

What kind of snacks do you like buying?

[glub]

I like seaweed snacks. They're pretty easy to make too. Oh, but I like anything with a lot of texture too.

[ he leans down. throw it in there. ]

What about you?

[ignoreher]

[ tossin it seal boy ]

Crunchy stuff. It's really satisfying to snap pretzels and stuff, don't you think?

[ like bones. anyway ]

[glub]

[ he catches it!! he uses his finger to push the rest of it in. he chews on it thoughtfully, before: ]

Just crunch? What about crisp? Or mush? Slimy? Spicy?

[ignoreher]

Oh, crisp is really good! Spicy, sweet... Sour stuff is pretty fun too.

[ puckering her lips. sour... ]

Actually, I like all kinds of different flavors. They're like... colors of the mouth! By combining different ones, you get just as different tastes and feelings. [ waving another torn off piece of bread. ] Salty and sweet harmonize well despite their contrast, the way that colors opposite on the wheel make each other pop. Bitter, sour things are too alike and only strengthen the reaction your mouth has to them, like two colors that the same hue but differing saturations... it's easy to confuse them until you have both to compare.

[ if... that makes sense. oh. she's prattling. chewing gently on her bread piece... ]

Fluffy, sticky, rich... I don't think I've had something slimy yet, but it doesn't sound pleasant.

[glub]

Sour stuff is best when it's a surprise, though.

[ like when he slips extra lemons in your water one day...

but, it's a thought for later. for now, just talking about food is rousing the hunger he thought they may have successfully abated with... looks at scribbled writing on hand one piece of bread. ] I like the way you put it. On top of that, what the mouth can't define in taste, we also have smell, which creates that many more combinations. And just like with art... everyone has different tastes, too.

[ as for slimy... ]

I'll find you just the right slimy thing for your mouth.

[ thankfully, they're almost to the store entrance. ]

[ignoreher]

[ half a whole roll between them, absolutely not a chance they're getting out of buying snacks here. malkuth beams at his continued metaphor, pleased... that he likes hers, that he goes with the odd comparison.

at least this isn't her first time in a grocery store. missed that chance. her eyes do still wander anyway, hand idly reaching to grab his sleeve so she doesn't wander. ]

Weird to say I'm looking forward to trying it, but I am. Are octopi slimy?

[ he seems pretty familiar with the sea, so. ]

[glub]

[ he's already half-expecting both of them to have wandered off, actually. so when he feels her grip on his sleeve, it draws his attention back to her.

you know, that paired with what she said. ]

... Are you saying you wanna eat me?

[ignoreher]

... Are you an octopus?

[ this isn't really answering the question actually. ]

[glub]

[ holds eye contact...

stares... ]

Anyway, they are a little slimy. Depends on how you want them.

[ignoreher]

[ him staring at her like this is so weird. but malkuth isn't gonna give in. ]

Fresh out of the ocean. Can we add it to your list?

[glub]

Sure, if we find any good ones.

[ he smells the air for a second before shaking his head. ]

Instead, don't you think we should catch our own? If you ask really nicely, maybe they'll just slide right into your net.

[ wait, is this where they get derailed by literal crane game... ]

1/2

[ignoreher]

[ is this........ a neat trick he got from living by the ocean, or because he is maybe-maybe not an octopus himself....... ]

I don't think any kind of prey will just sweetly go to their own death, Rafayel. I wouldn't.

[ but she also isn't. particularly prey like, despite her soul. then again. she did willingly go into a strange man's house without a moment's hesitation. she shouldn't be speaking poorly of octopi.

also yes. it's going to catch her eye since it's right at the front, pausing a beat before leaving his side (momentarily) to check it out. oh... the creatures are so cute? birds mostly, given peacock's influence, but there's others. ]

2/2

[ignoreher]

[ nevermind there is a fucking technicolor duck in there her eyes are plastered. it's so colorful and cute. it's all she can see. ]

Rafayel, look. Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?

[ like a rainbow puked on it actually. ]