[Video - daydreams virus.]

[unknownrival]

[A scene that would not be out of place in Issei's temple normally. With a small smile, Issei pours tea for another man, lean and stern-looking even when there was nothing to be particularly stern with. He sits down across from him after being thanked and sips his own tea before speaking.]

You know... I always did want to introduce you to my friends. A number have come and gone over the years, so I can't reflect too much on them... ah, but considering the subject, I suppose that doesn't matter as much. Still, I don't want to get too caught up in missing everyone.

You would have liked Kasumi-nee best, I think. She came to stay with us for a time, and is as dear to me as a sister as you are as a brother. She's kind, and gentle, and I don't think that you could have found any fault with her. Perhaps even you two would have considered each other siblings by extension.

And besides her... Retasu, too. She's younger than me, still a student, but you would have been a good teacher for her. Perhaps, with the encouragement of someone like you who can always be believed, we could have helped her more. I'll do my best on my own. For that matter, I would have liked Karen to be in my class, even if we had to compete for the position of student council president. The school could only benefit.

Kaitou Kid, I imagine, you wouldn't have gotten along with well at all. Considering your history, I wonder...

I had my reasons for all of it. You should know that. [He seems completely calm, without any of the anger that might be assumed to come from someone with such harsh features.]

I do. And you should know that his reasons are as good as yours were, and his actions better. Well, maybe it's that I love him that would have driven you to dislike. [Issei chuckles quietly.] You are an elder brother after all. Hakuba would have been more on your good side, intelligent, composed, not drawn too much to rule-breaking. The less said about you and Tyki, I think, the better. And William, no, would I have mentioned Mag to you first?

I could really go on for days about all the people I, at some point or another, wanted you to meet. But in the end, that isn't what I want the most. I wouldn't care who you come to meet or what you think of them if I could have you alive again.

Comments

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

...Do you want to stay for dinner?

[Food is helpful and relaxing.]

[action]

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

R-really?

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Of course. I am an excellent host.

[action] fffff.

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

If it isn't too much of a bother, then I'll stay if you want.

[action] Had to.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Of course. I wouldn't have made the offer if it was going to be a problem.

[action] This is why you're amazing.

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

You really are a nice person.

[action] I try.

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I have good friends, at least.

[action]

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

Please give yourself more credit.

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

How good do you have to be to want to spend time with your friends?

[action]

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

I guess you're right.

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[stripping.livejournal.com]

So, what would you like to have?

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[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

I shouldn't be picky when I'm over at somebody else's house.

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

That's true. Don't expect anything expensive, then.

[They were but poor monks.]

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[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

Not at all! I'll really take anything. *One of her other good friends can barely afford condiments, after all.*

(Now I'm just reminded of the 5GoGo episode where they're all attempting to cook and Karen wonders why Nozomi's fridge is all out of lobster, caviar, and filet mignon. XD)

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Then I'm happy to have you here.

(Issei can mooch off of Karen for the rest of his life.)

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[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

Th-thank you! *nearly trips over something again* Um, where should I go...?

(Fun for everyone.)

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[stripping.livejournal.com]

Just anywhere, I think. My room is where I normally host people.

[action]

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

O-okay! *Retasu would drop something if she were actually carrying anything, but she takes a deep breath and walks in the direction she thinks it is. Nobody ever invites Retasu to their room. Before all this community/fishgirl/superhero/waitress business started, the only people she hung around with basically used her to buy them coffee.*

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It's not much...

[It's actually not much. But it's Issei's room, and he invites her to have a seat.]

[action]

[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

*sits down* That's okay. You needed to talk to somebody, didn't you?

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

I did. Just, about anything. I don't mind what.

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[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

Anything?

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

Anything at all.

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[100thbrokendish.livejournal.com]

...um, your world looks very nice from the times I've been here. Is there a reason that there are so many big, fancy houses?

[action]

[stripping.livejournal.com]

It's a nice neighborhood. I don't consider most of them to be fancy, but the Tohsaka and Matou residences are particularly nice in their own way.