[These kinds of "getting to know you" games have never been to Shinjiro's taste, but he's found himself getting caught up enough in the energy of competitive spirit after the nightmare that was the previous month that he doesn't especially mind it, this time. He's a competitive person anyway, even though it usually only comes out with a certain specific musclehead. So he doesn't refuse to draw a paper slip when they start going around, glad to just have something to focus on beyond his own personal ghosts.
The thing is, he has someone in mind fairly readily when he does look at it, but it does feel awkward, like it's something he ought to keep to himself. Even so, he can't quite resist that compulsion urging him to hand the paper over, so eventually he does ... go searching.
That, apparently, is the easy part. Once he's face to face with the man in question? He considers turning around and walking away again. This is it, this is the thing that's going to actually kill him a second time. Not the cursed flower coughing disease with the secrets but needing to express an actual genuine emotion honestly. Gross.
He makes and pulls away from eye contact for a second time before he fishes out the slip and somewhat roughly shoves it in the older man's hand, without even a proper hello.
[Oda is just about to greet Shinjiro, mouth open for a hello, when a slip of paper is shoved into his hands. His eyebrows raise a bit, and he looks down, unfolding it without another word. He reads that short line...
[Oda looks up. He's surprised, but...it's a sweet sentiment. Perhaps he hadn't realized that he'd left such an impression.]
[Oh no ... a return sentiment, help. If possible, Shinjiro looks even more flustered -- like he didn't plan this far ahead. He's rubbing awkwardly at his neck, uncertain what to do or say from here, because he really will expire if he tries to have a conversation about it directly.]
[Oda really isn't one to press. It doesn't surprise him that someone like Aragaki wouldn't want to dwell on the sentimentality behind that little paper slip. What's important is that he shared it at all.
[They're both glad they met, so, they can just stand and talk a while.]
A few.
[Oda lights up a cigarette. As he has before, he offers one to Shinjiro before pocketing the pack again.]
I can't tell whether or not it's the magic, [He just assumes that magic is involved in most things, at this point.] but I've been eager to compete. I'm usually not the type.
[And this right here reinforces that sentiment behind the slip, really. Oda's always been easy to talk to, a calm and comforting sort of presence. He doesn't press or pry deeper than he's invited, willing to meet him wherever he's at.]
You think it's magic?
[...Huh. He has been surprisingly motivated to complete all the tasks, he supposes. Even the kind he normally wouldn't like, like these surveys and slips, or the compliment wars, or such.]
...I've got a competitive streak, honestly, so I didn't really notice. Least it's not too obnoxious, as far as things this place pushes us into go.
I've been wondering the same thing. I really have no good reason to think so, but...something just tells me that, in this place, there'd be a rhyme or reason to that sort of thing.
Who else is in yellow? Could give us a clue. Doc Maruki's in blue too, though I don't really know most of the others. If there's a common thread, he could probably find it way before me, though.
[He simply knows So Much about the people around here.]
[Maruki, Shinjiro, team blue. Odasaku searches for similarities, but comes up short. Really, to him, it seems the two individuals in question couldn't be more different.
[That is, unless they share similar abilities, or have abilities which compliment each other. Oda isn't one to pry about that sort of thing without invitation, so he doesn't bother mentioning it.
[Instead:]
What would you say you two have in common? Anything at all?
[Shinjiro takes a minute to think about the interactions they've had over the last five months, looking for shared experiences or similarities. They're both from Japan, obviously, but so is Oda. Maruki doesn't talk very much about himself, though -- it occurs to Shinjiro he doesn't really know much about him. Really, aside from the flower disease incident, the main thing they've talked about is ...]
[He turns that around in his head a moment, thoughtful.]
"Innovator" might be a bit of a stretch for me, but ... yeah, guess you can call cooking a creative hobby, more or less.
[Even so--]
You cook too, though, don't you?
[He remembers Oda sponsoring that curry contest, months back -- but as the judge, the man wouldn't have had his own entry, he supposes. Maybe he just assumed...?]
I'll be honest with you, Aragaki-san. I mostly put that contest on so I could try different types of curries.
[He's nothing if not honest.]
Call that a passion if you want. I start to feel wrong if I haven't had any in a while.
[Anyway.]
Aside from that, I enjoy writing. [Still a little weird to admit so readily, but he's trying to embrace it a little more, now that he's actually doing it.]
[He supposes he did call the blue team "creatives", and a writer would certainly fall into that category, but it still feels strange to apply it to himself. He distracts himself with grinding his cigarette out on his boot before answering. Eventually, what he comes up with is:]
[Shinjiro may not be a genius or especially well-versed in reading people, but he is perceptive enough to catch the self-consciousness in that gesture. Like it's something he's not used to talking about.
He debates backing off, but then, maybe having the door closed in his face is not what Oda wants, either. Shinjiro goes for opening it a crack wider, gently enough that it can still be shut if it's uncomfortable.]
Would you tell me about some of 'em? The people you write about, I mean.
[The question does nothing to offend him, and the answer isn't a lie...]
I'd like to write about all sorts of people. Real and otherwise.
[...but he does have a subject currently, and he does avoid mentioning it on purpose.
[When it comes to his kids, his writing will have to speak for itself. Without roots growing in his lungs, he still can't bear to talk about them. He thinks he might never be able to bear it.
[So, instead, this:]
Honestly, it's hard to narrow it all down. I meet interesting people all the time.
[Much safer. It almost makes Oda want to smile, because he doesn't really laugh, but he kind of wants to laugh, and it's only at himself. His lips tug around his cigarette.]
Not long. Really...
Only since I arrived here.
[He'd tried before, pressed the proverbial quill down against the metaphorical paper, but there's been no true progress until now. He still hasn't tried writing that ending. He's not sure that's what he needs anymore.]
[Huh. It's not quite a smile, but it's something. Shinjiro didn't quite expect it, and it reflects in the slight tug of his own expression.
Almost five months in, and Shinjiro finds he doesn't quite mind being able to relax in moments like these. Allowing himself to set aside the things that weigh him down and come up for air for a few breaths.]
Gotta find somethin' to fill the time in between all the crap this place throws at us. 'Specially if the big social gatherings ain't it.
[Maybe he's wrong, but he gets the impression Oda isn't the sort that's suited to them any more than he is.]
[Oda doesn't particularly mind social gatherings, even if he isn't particularly adept at them, but one does not need to know Shinjiro very well to realize he isn't much of a fan.]
You're right. We all have to find a way to live here day to day, just like we would anywhere else. It's good to have something to do.
[Find a way to live, huh ... it still feels strange to think of himself as doing that. But the longer he's here, the more he's had to find a way to come to terms with being alive for the foreseeable future; sitting around waiting for the end to find him again isn't sustainable, and -- well. The slip tells the story for him, really. Despite himself, it was inevitable he'd come to care about others here.
He's quiet a moment, caught up in his thoughts, before the question catches up to him properly.]
...Cook, mostly.
[He almost sounds a little sheepish to bring it up again, but it really is ... his only significant hobby ........]
Sometimes explore the areas around Stellari a little, I guess.
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TDM prompt; scavenger hunt paper slips!
The thing is, he has someone in mind fairly readily when he does look at it, but it does feel awkward, like it's something he ought to keep to himself. Even so, he can't quite resist that compulsion urging him to hand the paper over, so eventually he does ... go searching.
That, apparently, is the easy part. Once he's face to face with the man in question? He considers turning around and walking away again. This is it, this is the thing that's going to actually kill him a second time. Not the cursed flower coughing disease with the secrets but needing to express an actual genuine emotion honestly. Gross.
He makes and pulls away from eye contact for a second time before he fishes out the slip and somewhat roughly shoves it in the older man's hand, without even a proper hello.
Someone you're glad you met here.]
cries...cutie...
[Oda looks up. He's surprised, but...it's a sweet sentiment. Perhaps he hadn't realized that he'd left such an impression.]
I feel the same, Aragaki-kun. Thanks.
they're wholesome;;
Yeah. Uh. ...
[...]
So. You uh, doin' any of these games at all?
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[They're both glad they met, so, they can just stand and talk a while.]
A few.
[Oda lights up a cigarette. As he has before, he offers one to Shinjiro before pocketing the pack again.]
I can't tell whether or not it's the magic, [He just assumes that magic is involved in most things, at this point.] but I've been eager to compete. I'm usually not the type.
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You think it's magic?
[...Huh. He has been surprisingly motivated to complete all the tasks, he supposes. Even the kind he normally wouldn't like, like these surveys and slips, or the compliment wars, or such.]
...I've got a competitive streak, honestly, so I didn't really notice. Least it's not too obnoxious, as far as things this place pushes us into go.
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What team did they end up sticking you on?
[He's glancing around for one of those bandanas. He has a yellow one, folded up and poking out of his jacket pocket.]
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[A casual shrug.]
Blue, for me.
[His own bandana is tied loosely at his elbow, below the red SEES armband he's always wearing.]
Wonder how they pick 'em. Or if it's all just random.
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[He hums thoughtfully, considering.]
Who else is in yellow? Could give us a clue. Doc Maruki's in blue too, though I don't really know most of the others. If there's a common thread, he could probably find it way before me, though.
[He simply knows So Much about the people around here.]
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[Maruki, Shinjiro, team blue. Odasaku searches for similarities, but comes up short. Really, to him, it seems the two individuals in question couldn't be more different.
[That is, unless they share similar abilities, or have abilities which compliment each other. Oda isn't one to pry about that sort of thing without invitation, so he doesn't bother mentioning it.
[Instead:]
What would you say you two have in common? Anything at all?
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We both like cooking, I guess.
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[That doesn't exactly seem like a basis for creating a sports team, but Oda supposes they don't have to rule it out completely.]
Maybe...
[He holds up a finger.]
The blue team is full of creatives and innovators. I'd say that describes most cooks.
[He's cracked the
eggcode.]no subject
"Innovator" might be a bit of a stretch for me, but ... yeah, guess you can call cooking a creative hobby, more or less.
[Even so--]
You cook too, though, don't you?
[He remembers Oda sponsoring that curry contest, months back -- but as the judge, the man wouldn't have had his own entry, he supposes. Maybe he just assumed...?]
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[Shinjiro didn't call it a passion either, but that's neither here nor there.]
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Shinjiro doesn't dispute it, but it's a strangely foreign notion, like a sweater that's one size too small.]
Guess I just kind of assumed it was a hobby for you, too, what with the contest and all.
[He shrugs a shoulder.]
You got anything you would call a passion, then?
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[He's nothing if not honest.]
Call that a passion if you want. I start to feel wrong if I haven't had any in a while.
[Anyway.]
Aside from that, I enjoy writing. [Still a little weird to admit so readily, but he's trying to embrace it a little more, now that he's actually doing it.]
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...Good a reason as any, I guess.
[The comment about writing draws a softly amused huff from him, though he doesn't quite smile.]
Heh, almost sounds like you belong in blue more than me, then. What do you like to write about?
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People. Human beings.
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He debates backing off, but then, maybe having the door closed in his face is not what Oda wants, either. Shinjiro goes for opening it a crack wider, gently enough that it can still be shut if it's uncomfortable.]
Would you tell me about some of 'em? The people you write about, I mean.
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[The question does nothing to offend him, and the answer isn't a lie...]
I'd like to write about all sorts of people. Real and otherwise.
[...but he does have a subject currently, and he does avoid mentioning it on purpose.
[When it comes to his kids, his writing will have to speak for itself. Without roots growing in his lungs, he still can't bear to talk about them. He thinks he might never be able to bear it.
[So, instead, this:]
Honestly, it's hard to narrow it all down. I meet interesting people all the time.
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Makes sense. They're the kinda subject you'll never run out of.
[He doesn't ask to read them, sometime. Has a feeling they're not meant for others' eyes. He shifts gears.]
How long've you been doin' it?
[It seems a safer question.]
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Not long. Really...
Only since I arrived here.
[He'd tried before, pressed the proverbial quill down against the metaphorical paper, but there's been no true progress until now. He still hasn't tried writing that ending. He's not sure that's what he needs anymore.]
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Almost five months in, and Shinjiro finds he doesn't quite mind being able to relax in moments like these. Allowing himself to set aside the things that weigh him down and come up for air for a few breaths.]
Gotta find somethin' to fill the time in between all the crap this place throws at us. 'Specially if the big social gatherings ain't it.
[Maybe he's wrong, but he gets the impression Oda isn't the sort that's suited to them any more than he is.]
I messed up my cigarette continuity...
You're right. We all have to find a way to live here day to day, just like we would anywhere else. It's good to have something to do.
[And thus, the natural next question.]
So. What do you do for fun?
oh nooo ... we can assume he lit a new one
He's quiet a moment, caught up in his thoughts, before the question catches up to him properly.]
...Cook, mostly.
[He almost sounds a little sheepish to bring it up again, but it really is ... his only significant hobby ........]
Sometimes explore the areas around Stellari a little, I guess.
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we can probably wrap up here hehe