hikaruorkaoru | Fourth Pattern ; voice, drawing

Fourth Pattern ; voice, drawing

This place is so stupid.

[As he talks to the journal, he's sketching.

This place is great for his creativity, he's realized... but that's because there's nothing else to do. He hasn't left his apartment in a few days except to steal food from the communal kitchen.

Being forcably dragged back into the mindset of having Kaoru and only Kaoru to rely on... didn't go away easily. He'd missed his brother before, but it's only gotten worse since then.]

The people in charge are idiots. Why would you only kidnap one? It still doesn't make any sense.

[He might not realize that he can be heard right now. He hasn't been exactly careful about where his hand's brushed in the journal.]

We're not supposed to be apart.

(Original picture for the dress designs found here.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Eventually, yeah. It's so stupid -- people seem to think that because they can walk into stores here and just take what they want that I should just make stuff.

If they want free stuff, they can go to that place and take their chances with the cheaply made stuff there.

That's quite a bit of disdain for a shop that allows you to use their equipment, Mr. Hitachiin. What earned it your ire?

Huh? Oh. No, I don't mind All Passions. Well. Except one person there.

I don't know if they just give their stuff away or not. I meant the other "store." Where our clothes sometimes show up. Like my school uniform. Most of just the random stuff is really cheap. Probably why the Malnosso give it to us for free.

Ah, forgive me. I misspoke then.

What's found in the Malnosso run store is equivalent to what one might find at a department store, which would account for quality.

...

But what do you mean by 'one person there'?

This girl named Rhyme runs All Passions. She lets me use the sewing machine, so she's pretty cool in my book. But this other girl... works for her or something, I don't know. I really don't like her.

She decided to tell me that if I wanted to use the sewing machine at All Passions, I had to work for them. No asking, no negotiating, no terms, just "if you want to use the sewing machine, you'll work for us."

I told her I'd be just fine hand-stitching. Then talked to Rhyme.

[...She almost laughed. Almost. It was a bit juvenile how he got into the argument, but that was how some arguments happened. To be fair, she shot at Steve because he kissed some other girl, so she can't really take moral high ground here.]

Well, it's always better to talk to the owner in cases like that. Glad to hear this... Rhyme? girl was a bit more accommodating.

[Hikaru's maturity very much depended on the day and time of day. And proximity to Kaoru to reel him in and keep him calm.]

I made sure to report her to Rhyme. An employee like that can really hurt sales.

And partnerships, it seems.

Perhaps she was having an off day. I've noticed several of the younger crowd here have been getting it rough lately - what with people disappearing.

Doesn't excuse unprofessional behavior when you're representing your store or brand.

[Yeah, because you can talk, Hikaru.]

I take it you shall be inheriting your parents' business then?

My mother's business, yeah. We get it once we're older.

So which of you shall handle the business portion and which shall be main designer?

All of it's straight down the middle. We'll do the books together and the designs together.

[Okay, more like 60-40 each way. Because, in his opinion, Kaoru's designs are better, so he'll pick up the slack by working the books more.

But that's between them.]

[They really were inseparable - almost to an unnatural degree. She knew that twins tended toward relying upon each other, but she'd never seen it go this far.]

Two minds are greater than one, as they say.

Have you eaten today? I was about to make something.

I... had a sort of late breakfast early lunch thing, but I haven't gone out for dinner yet.

[He was glad for the difference in topic. Talking about Kaoru... It hurt.]

Thirty minutes wait wouldn't be too long, would it? I was about to start cooking.

...No. That'd be fine.

I... can come over. If that'd be easier.

[Look! He can be considerate! ...Barely. Sometimes.]

It would be lovely to have you over, if it isn't too far. I'm in community housing 5, floor 6. I should be in the communal kitchen, if you arrive before the thirty minutes.

No. It's not too far. I'll be there soon.

[He'll also grab his sketchbook. He doesn't have a lot drawn as far as her request for 40's fashion, but he can show her what he has. And get a good look at her to determine how to design the stuff]

I'll put out an extra plate then.

[She sets the journal down for now, working on the meal. It isn't anything fancy, but it isn't military rations and her time in Luceti Valley taught her how to do simple things. She cooks chicken, seasoned, browned in a skillet - vegetables steamed and then lightly tossed in butter and garlic. Fresh bread from the bakery. Small things - easy, but filling for her at least. It doesn't take much to cook for two people and when he arrives, she'll still be at the stove, an apron on over a pair of slacks and a button down blouse, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back.]

[And before long, there's the sound of someone setting things down on the table.]

Hi.

[Not quite as quiet or uneasy as had been the case at the fountain. There was a bit of an awkward caution, but it was more just the strangeness of meeting a new person.

Really, to look at Hikaru, one might think it had been longer than a couple years between what she'd first met and the boy standing not far away now. His hair had grown out, been let get just a little wild, and his posture was exceptionally different. He carried himself with an actual air of confidence, not at a distance from the world. Still not quite part of it... but not as far away, either.]

[She heard him come in, and the quiet thunk of something on the table behind her was enough of an indication. When he's settled, she keeps her back to him, still cooking, but calls out.]

Welcome. No troubles finding this place, I take it? There is tea in the pot there under the cozy, if you'd like some.

What sort of tea is it?

[Even as he asks, though, he's at the pot, getting a cup, and pouring it.]

The drinking sort.

[She looks over her shoulder and smirks at him before returning to her cooking. It's almost ready and she browns the chicken on both sides.]

Ceylon white to be specific.

Doesn't smell too bad.

[He takes a sip, considers the taste for a moment, then drinks a little more. Passable, at the very least. Maybe even bordering on good.]

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