[ ryuu's a lover not a fighter, but also a dolt whose first instinct is to try and look around to find the source of the mystery box he's opened his apartment door to. and he's in luck! or some approximation of it.
with a laugh, ryuu doesn't look for long, instead kneeling to retrieve the box. ]
Hmm. I wonder. Am I going to have to open this by myself?
[Even if he's hiding, Ren isn't even going to pretend he didn't hear that, though he gives a bit of a dramatic, thoughtful hum.]
I don't know, are you going to invite someone in~? [The someone who is clearly not in the corridor right now and still peering at Ryuu very blatantly.]
Well, I think it'd be nice to have company! My door's always open.
[ which is a turn of phrase he likes as much as it's physically true; with the box in hand, ryuu steps back into his apartment, keeping the door ajar. ]
[Ren gives what he assumes might be enough time for Ryuu to go back in and sit down or something before he wanders in, hands laced behind his back as the very picture of innocence.]
Do you leave your door open like that all the time? Just anyone could wander in, you know~
[Let him have his implausible deniability about the corridor, because he thinks it's funny when people decide not to break his feigned illusions.]
Only sometimes! [ ryuu has taken to the countertop partition that separates his kitchen from his living space, box set carefully on it. ] Luckily, I seem to get along with all my neighbors...
[ imagine that. of course, ever the homemaker, ryuu nods aside. ]
Well, now that you're here. Do you want something to drink?
You don't seem like the kind of person who would have trouble getting along with people... [Ren points that out rather lightly as he comes over to lean on the countertop. Ryuu has been rather flexible with him, at least, and that kind of personality is always useful when it comes to befriending people.
At the question, Ren tilts his head thoughtfully.] What do you have? I don't usually ask people to make me tea or coffee because I'm a little bit picky...
[Read: a lot picky, "complains about instant coffee at five paces" picky.]
Not usually! But you never know, in a place with so many personalities in it...
[ he's not under the illusion that everyone will like him... though he does hope that's the case, as much as it's possible. with a hum, he turns away from the counter towards his kitchen. time to assess the situation. ]
It seems a bit boring to offer you water, and you don't seem like the kind of person for beer.
[ swinging open a cabinet, he pulls out a few canisters. ]
I only recently got into brewing tea and coffee myself, but you can take a look!
Well, that's more the fault of the people who don't get along with anyone, isn't it~? [As far as Ren's concerned, if people want to be grumpy then that's nobody's fault but theirs. It doesn't change the fact that some people are just naturally easy to get along with.
Ryuu's right that Ren isn't really a beer drinker, and he hums in assent.] I'm more a wine type myself...
[That said, Ren holds out a hand for the canisters rather promptly.] Maybe I can give you a lesson. I'll be able to tell how good it is from the smell, anyway.
[It's not a brag or toned in a condescending manner, it's just a statement of fact.]
Are you sure? I know you offered, but you're a guest.
[ and ryuu is always a good host, but - well, it's not as though ren isn't also a friend with a taste for the fancier things. maybe he could learn a thing or two that'd benefit future visits and visitors. with a hum, he presents the canisters anyway. ]
These came from a tea shop in Caihong. [ a couple sweet and spicy blends of black and red tea. ] And the coffee is from a place outside the groves.
And it's your birthday, so it balances out right? [Ren pokes his tongue out at that, as if one should never even dare to imply he might not be sure about something he says. Besides, if it's Ryuu's supplies he's using, they're both contributing.
As Ryuu explains where they're from, Ren opens the canisters one by one and sniffs them. He doesn't look displeased with any of them, but he goes through every single one before he picks out a sweet and what he found to be slightly aromatic black tea from earlier in the line.]
I like this one best. But if you're putting the water on then you'd better be prepared for me to raid your cupboards for your teamaking stuff, okay~?
[ a laugh, because he hasn't forgotten the box also sitting among the items on the counter. it's hard not to be grateful, in that case. plus his home is usually open for others to get comfortable in regardless. so - drinks first, then he can attend to the reason for his visit. ]
And feel free. I keep things pretty organized in here, believe it or not.
[ and his apartment is nice, more cozy than luxurious, with an emphasis on a stocked up kitchen. leaving ren to explore, he turns to get the kettle going. ]
[Ren is definitely going to explore the stocked-up kitchen, because he likes to keep on top of his too, so it's nice to see what everyone else has. He sort of collects the tea items on his way through, but he's definitely poking around to see what else is in each cupboard he opens.]
I'm not actually that organised, so anything seems like that to me...I guess I'm one of those people who has my own kind of system that nobody else can figure out.
[If someone else walked into his kitchen, the organisation would probably seem like a chaotic mixture, but he knows where everything is, so it's fine.] You seem like you'd want something that makes it easy for everyone, though.
[Ren's apartment is definitely more suited to his own tastes, even if that ends up falling slightly more towards the luxurious end of things. Even if there's an element of coziness too.]
It's just me on this floor, you know? So I've never minded anyone stopping by and making themselves comfortable - plus, the kitchen is kind of like the heart of the place.
[ and just like ryuu's heart is easy to navigate, so is his kitchen. with the kettle on, he returns to the counter while ren investigates and pulls what he needs from cabinets and cupboards - many of his dishes and appliances lean towards common japanese kitchens, but there are a couple western hallmarks too.
curiosity gets the better of him in the meantime, and he picks up the box, giving it a turn in his fingertips. ]
I feel like you wouldn't mind even if you weren't the only one on this floor... [The tone is gently teasing, because while Ryuu's soft heart is something of a source of amusement to Ren, it's also something he appreciates. He's been observed before as naturally gravitating towards good people, simply as an intuitive thing.
Ren notes the western odds and ends, but glances back when he hears Ryuu picking up the box. He might hear something slide down within when he turns it - or two things, one larger than the other, softly bumping the side of the box.]
Oh, you might want to open that now, there's one thing in there that's a little bit time-sensitive... [As in it's food that's going to go cold if it's left too long, but Ren can't be quite that specific if he wants to keep the surprise.]
[ called out?! so ryuu may be a bit of an extrovert, it's true. but it benefits him in the long run, to nuture a giving heart with, well... giving.
having been gentle with the box so far, unable to tell what's inside just from the movement alone, ryuu glances over his shoulder with his brows lifted. similarly, he lifts the box in question. ]
Are you sure? I didn't want to be too quick about it, before we had a chance to settle in...
[ but if it's time-sensitive, then he's going to go ahead! setting it back down, he goes about popping the flap on it. ]
Well, if you want to leave the rest of it until we've settled in more, then that's fine, it's mostly just the one part...
[When Ryuu opens the box, he'll see three things - at the bottom, what appears to be a folded piece of clothing, probably pants. On top of it, a small box of the type that's used for jewellery or accessories, and a much larger vessel that appears to be an insulated food container. It's pretty nice, so it's presumably part of the gift, but it's warm to the touch and has some lining poking out, so it's probably safe to assume which thing is the time-sensitive one.]
Hang on, I want to see your face... [Ren wanders back over from his tea-making duties, leaning on the counter. He mostly just wants to see if Ryuu makes a cute face getting something he likes, because the container is housing about a dozen sata andagi, in two layers of six separated by lining to keep the outsides nice and crunchy.]
[ which is the first thing he notices upon opening the box, and something he didn't expect. of course, that quickly becomes secondary when the sugary smell hits him, leaving him to lift the container out with recognition dawning in his eyes. ]
I know that smell! [ lifting the lid, the sight of the desserts makes excitement brighten across his face. ] Sata andagi...!
[ his gaze rises, surprised. ]
They look perfect! You know how to make them, Ren?
[Cute face achieved. Not that it's that difficult with Ryuu, but still, Ren's smile quirks up a bit at the reaction, and he sits his chin in his hands with a satisfied sort of look.]
I like desserts, so I know how to make more of them than main meals...I haven't been to Okinawa as much as I'd like, but it's nice to at least know the food.
[Sata andagi aren't a terribly difficult recipe, all things considered, which is probably a good thing. Otherwise Ren might've had to check if there was some sort of local equivalent, or risk asking Ryuu himself if he had a recipe and ruining the surprise.]
Anyway, I thought someone as soft on everyone as you might be a little bit homesick, so I thought it would help a little.
[Or maybe Ren's projecting a bit, though he's less homesick and more whatever one calls the equivalent that's missing the people you left and not the place, since "peoplesick" doesn't sound very nice.]
[ filing away the knowledge that ren likes desserts (he can tell regardless from the care put into the gift, difficult or no -), ryuu doesn't waste any time in plucking one of the dough balls up with his fingers. ]
This is really thoughtful of you! Okinawa is famous for its food, after all.
[ in punctuation to that, he pops it into his mouth. excited chewing? excited chewing. ]
Ah, they're just like home... I do miss it a lot, but it hasn't been so bad when I keep busy!
[ and with things like this. another one gets tossed down the hatch... ]
[Ren isn't even remotely surprised that someone Ryuu's size would be eating more than one of a snack food, even if he probably has to consider his diet more than most. In any case, he shrugs a little and turns back to deal with the tea for a moment so he can get the water poured.]
Well, being busy helps take your mind off most things, but it's no good to just be busy all the time. Everyone needs good breaks now and then, so if I find out you're overworking yourself, I'll drag you out somewhere~
[Even if he has to do it literally. Though he imagines with Ryuu, he'd probably just have to use the right words to coax him into it. He's not exactly a hard sell on most things.]
[ ryuu is pretty strictly managed - even now, without the stringency of a official contract or agency backing him. but he's always wanted to give it his all, so it's take a little, give a little... too many beers or sweets or bbq or whatever it is that he's shoving down his gullet, a few more rounds at the gym, and the like. he grins, cheek still full. ]
I'm fine! I'm used to it, you know? Most nights I wouldn't get home until almost 11...
[ though, tried and true: ]
That does make me wonder where you'd drag me out to, though.
That doesn't make it a good thing... [Ren says that as he sets the kettle back where it was, his tone halfway between amused and chiding. He knows plenty of people who are happy to overwork themselves because it's just what they do, so he shouldn't be surprised about another one.]
Well, I don't usually plan that kind of thing in advance, so I'd probably come up with something whenever I needed to drag you out. Spontaneity makes going out with people a lot more fun, I find.
[Not that going out with people isn't fun, but Ren likes the element of surprise that a lack of planning adds.]
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with a laugh, ryuu doesn't look for long, instead kneeling to retrieve the box. ]
Hmm. I wonder. Am I going to have to open this by myself?
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I don't know, are you going to invite someone in~? [The someone who is clearly not in the corridor right now and still peering at Ryuu very blatantly.]
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[ which is a turn of phrase he likes as much as it's physically true; with the box in hand, ryuu steps back into his apartment, keeping the door ajar. ]
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Do you leave your door open like that all the time? Just anyone could wander in, you know~
[Let him have his implausible deniability about the corridor, because he thinks it's funny when people decide not to break his feigned illusions.]
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[ imagine that. of course, ever the homemaker, ryuu nods aside. ]
Well, now that you're here. Do you want something to drink?
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At the question, Ren tilts his head thoughtfully.] What do you have? I don't usually ask people to make me tea or coffee because I'm a little bit picky...
[Read: a lot picky, "complains about instant coffee at five paces" picky.]
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[ he's not under the illusion that everyone will like him... though he does hope that's the case, as much as it's possible. with a hum, he turns away from the counter towards his kitchen. time to assess the situation. ]
It seems a bit boring to offer you water, and you don't seem like the kind of person for beer.
[ swinging open a cabinet, he pulls out a few canisters. ]
I only recently got into brewing tea and coffee myself, but you can take a look!
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Ryuu's right that Ren isn't really a beer drinker, and he hums in assent.] I'm more a wine type myself...
[That said, Ren holds out a hand for the canisters rather promptly.] Maybe I can give you a lesson. I'll be able to tell how good it is from the smell, anyway.
[It's not a brag or toned in a condescending manner, it's just a statement of fact.]
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[ and ryuu is always a good host, but - well, it's not as though ren isn't also a friend with a taste for the fancier things. maybe he could learn a thing or two that'd benefit future visits and visitors. with a hum, he presents the canisters anyway. ]
These came from a tea shop in Caihong. [ a couple sweet and spicy blends of black and red tea. ] And the coffee is from a place outside the groves.
I can put the water on, at least.
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As Ryuu explains where they're from, Ren opens the canisters one by one and sniffs them. He doesn't look displeased with any of them, but he goes through every single one before he picks out a sweet and what he found to be slightly aromatic black tea from earlier in the line.]
I like this one best. But if you're putting the water on then you'd better be prepared for me to raid your cupboards for your teamaking stuff, okay~?
[fight him]
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[ a laugh, because he hasn't forgotten the box also sitting among the items on the counter. it's hard not to be grateful, in that case. plus his home is usually open for others to get comfortable in regardless. so - drinks first, then he can attend to the reason for his visit. ]
And feel free. I keep things pretty organized in here, believe it or not.
[ and his apartment is nice, more cozy than luxurious, with an emphasis on a stocked up kitchen. leaving ren to explore, he turns to get the kettle going. ]
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I'm not actually that organised, so anything seems like that to me...I guess I'm one of those people who has my own kind of system that nobody else can figure out.
[If someone else walked into his kitchen, the organisation would probably seem like a chaotic mixture, but he knows where everything is, so it's fine.] You seem like you'd want something that makes it easy for everyone, though.
[Ren's apartment is definitely more suited to his own tastes, even if that ends up falling slightly more towards the luxurious end of things. Even if there's an element of coziness too.]
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[ and just like ryuu's heart is easy to navigate, so is his kitchen. with the kettle on, he returns to the counter while ren investigates and pulls what he needs from cabinets and cupboards - many of his dishes and appliances lean towards common japanese kitchens, but there are a couple western hallmarks too.
curiosity gets the better of him in the meantime, and he picks up the box, giving it a turn in his fingertips. ]
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Ren notes the western odds and ends, but glances back when he hears Ryuu picking up the box. He might hear something slide down within when he turns it - or two things, one larger than the other, softly bumping the side of the box.]
Oh, you might want to open that now, there's one thing in there that's a little bit time-sensitive... [As in it's food that's going to go cold if it's left too long, but Ren can't be quite that specific if he wants to keep the surprise.]
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having been gentle with the box so far, unable to tell what's inside just from the movement alone, ryuu glances over his shoulder with his brows lifted. similarly, he lifts the box in question. ]
Are you sure? I didn't want to be too quick about it, before we had a chance to settle in...
[ but if it's time-sensitive, then he's going to go ahead! setting it back down, he goes about popping the flap on it. ]
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[When Ryuu opens the box, he'll see three things - at the bottom, what appears to be a folded piece of clothing, probably pants. On top of it, a small box of the type that's used for jewellery or accessories, and a much larger vessel that appears to be an insulated food container. It's pretty nice, so it's presumably part of the gift, but it's warm to the touch and has some lining poking out, so it's probably safe to assume which thing is the time-sensitive one.]
Hang on, I want to see your face... [Ren wanders back over from his tea-making duties, leaning on the counter. He mostly just wants to see if Ryuu makes a cute face getting something he likes, because the container is housing about a dozen sata andagi, in two layers of six separated by lining to keep the outsides nice and crunchy.]
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[ which is the first thing he notices upon opening the box, and something he didn't expect. of course, that quickly becomes secondary when the sugary smell hits him, leaving him to lift the container out with recognition dawning in his eyes. ]
I know that smell! [ lifting the lid, the sight of the desserts makes excitement brighten across his face. ] Sata andagi...!
[ his gaze rises, surprised. ]
They look perfect! You know how to make them, Ren?
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I like desserts, so I know how to make more of them than main meals...I haven't been to Okinawa as much as I'd like, but it's nice to at least know the food.
[Sata andagi aren't a terribly difficult recipe, all things considered, which is probably a good thing. Otherwise Ren might've had to check if there was some sort of local equivalent, or risk asking Ryuu himself if he had a recipe and ruining the surprise.]
Anyway, I thought someone as soft on everyone as you might be a little bit homesick, so I thought it would help a little.
[Or maybe Ren's projecting a bit, though he's less homesick and more whatever one calls the equivalent that's missing the people you left and not the place, since "peoplesick" doesn't sound very nice.]
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This is really thoughtful of you! Okinawa is famous for its food, after all.
[ in punctuation to that, he pops it into his mouth. excited chewing? excited chewing. ]
Ah, they're just like home... I do miss it a lot, but it hasn't been so bad when I keep busy!
[ and with things like this. another one gets tossed down the hatch... ]
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Well, being busy helps take your mind off most things, but it's no good to just be busy all the time. Everyone needs good breaks now and then, so if I find out you're overworking yourself, I'll drag you out somewhere~
[Even if he has to do it literally. Though he imagines with Ryuu, he'd probably just have to use the right words to coax him into it. He's not exactly a hard sell on most things.]
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I'm fine! I'm used to it, you know? Most nights I wouldn't get home until almost 11...
[ though, tried and true: ]
That does make me wonder where you'd drag me out to, though.
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Well, I don't usually plan that kind of thing in advance, so I'd probably come up with something whenever I needed to drag you out. Spontaneity makes going out with people a lot more fun, I find.
[Not that going out with people isn't fun, but Ren likes the element of surprise that a lack of planning adds.]