[Despite the calm and collected agreement in his words, Itachi is suspicious of this request. That said, since their first encounter in the shared dream and their second upon his arrival, he's decided this is a person he must pay closer attention. And that sometimes requires field work.
Itachi doesn't respond. Fortunately for this time, his brother has left to sleep — a change in schedule evidently attributed to vampirism. That doesn't erase the need for subtlety and stealth. If Sasuke expected him to stay inside all day... well, it's an unrealistic expectation.
There's a bitter nostalgia to doing this. He's reminded of a much different time, sneaking in and out of the household, timing his arrivals and departures based on Sasuke's schedule so they would never cross paths. Sometimes waiting outside until he knew it was safe.
He spends a short period of time preparing to leave, which includes arming himself with borrowed kunai and shuriken as well as finding his shoes and a borrowed cloak. Then he heads to the Shopping District. The park is a quick find, but the last twenty minutes of the wait ends up devoted to... watching Stiles' restless energy entertain itself.
Eventually he crosses the grassy clearing, approach undisguised.]
[ And Stiles does entertain, wholly oblivious to his stalker. Though he initially tries to whittle away the remaining time seated on a bench, thumbing through his comm watch, the relative peace of the scene does not last long. After ten minutes, he’s pacing – long legs carrying him back and forth as he does loose laps around the bench, throwing himself at it possessively whenever another weary park-goer drifts too close. When that loses its appeal, he sprawls over the bench in boneless boredom, feet constantly tapping to some unheard tune. Sitting still is hard and no one understands.
Itachi finally approaches. Stiles, who has taken to cloud gazing, startles violently as the man suddenly comes into his view upside down. ]
J-Jesus Christ!
[ The movement of his jerking legs as he sits up nearly knocks over the nondescript bag by his feet. ]
God, finally. Here. [ Reaching down, he grabs the bag and then shoves it in Itachi’s direction. ] A peace offering.
[ If Itachi looks inside the bag, he will find…leeks. Uchihas love leeks, right? Fuck if Stiles knows. ]
[Itachi remains impervious in the face of that alarm, waiting until Stiles has righted himself and addressed him properly, patient and coolly still. At the proffered bag, black eyes narrow into suspicious slits.]
[ As someone who has created and sent bombs before – listen, totally not his fault, he was possessed, he pleads the Fifth – Stiles can only stare at Itachi in exasperated incredulity. ]
God, you’re both royal pains in the ass.
[ Despite the grumbling, he complies. The bag is put back on the ground and he takes three huge, dramatic steps away, hands thrown up in annoyance. ]
Itachi approaches, one hand on the holster at his waist, then kneels. He withdraws the sharp end of a kunai to open the flaps of the bag with care to reveal its contents. ...Leeks. Why leeks? Perhaps Stiles thought he might be wanting for food; it was true he had no way to purchase meals, and he hadn't arrived with monetary resources. But only one ingredient on its own seems somewhat useless.]
[ A hand slides into his front pocket, pulling out a beaten journal. Stiles then fiddles with his comm watch, starting to record an audio message sent to his spare (stolen) comm watch back at the cottage. If he can convince Itachi to humor him, it’ll be useful to listen to the recording later for practice. ]
Alright. Now, teach me how to pronounce your names properly.
[ And please don’t kill him. Remember: He bought you leeks!! ]
[As Sasuke's brattiness is well-known territory, this reported reaction doesn't seem to faze Itachi. He lowers his attention again to the leeks, leaning to pull a strap up by his fingers, and carries it over to the bench. There it's left.
Again, this seems... unnecessary to him, if only because he wouldn't care or take it personally if Stiles mispronounced his name. He wonders at the motivation—it's blatant this is more about Sasuke. To get these names correct for Sasuke.
Oh, and.]
... Is this the reason you asked for this meeting?
...Yeeeees? [ he ventures tentatively, moving so that Itachi remains between him and the bench. ] Listen, don’t get mad. There’s no way you would have come out here to meet me if I’d been straight with you.
[ Squints at Itachi, wondering how well he’ll be able to keep up if the older Uchiha decides to make a break for it. ]
[Itachi turns half-away, looking out toward the foliage, pale threads of daylight beginning to creep through the canopy of trees. Is he considering an escape, or calculating how much time he wants to waste on this particular endeavor? Each option seems likely.]
Let me hear how you pronounce them.
[Is this a lost cause, or can it be done quickly—he'll figure out where Stiles is on that spectrum with this test.]
[ Stiles tenses, anticipating a chase scene. Fortunately, Itachi remains where he is – for now. ]
“Sasuke,” [ he says immediately, probably confirming the man’s suspicions on why this is so important to him. A pause, and then he pronounces it again, slower: ] “Sasuke.”
[ Notebook at the ready, he peers at Itachi expectantly, awaiting feedback. ]
[A moment of evaluative quiet passes after Stiles' has spoken the same name... twice, the silence before judgment drawn out for good and effective pressure. Finally:]
Itachi moves past the distaste coloring his own name, seeing no reason to address Stiles' obvious emotional investment in his younger brother's opinion; it's useful to know it exists.]
We'll start with Sasuke's name. [His own tone adopts a more careful, teaching volume, slower and explanatory. Education is one of the few activities in life he may feel sincere appreciation toward. Most aren't willing to admit their own ignorance, or willing to improve and correct their own behaviors or status quo. Some respect can be levered to Stiles for that, regardless of the reason he's approached Itachi.] I see room for improvement, though that would be expected of someone unaccustomed to a new language and its unique sounds.
You are placing too much emphasis on only part of his name. This loses clarity in the rest. I assume it has to do with how you are used to pronouncing syllables in your language. [He doesn't know what Stiles speaks, so this is mostly a guess.] Sa-su-ke. Sasuke. [Rather than slipping over the 'u' sound in the middle, Itachi enunciates every syllable equally, so it flows together as one.] Try it again.
[ Though he double checks that the comm watch is recording audio, Itachi otherwise has the brunt of his intense focus. The difference in mannerisms between brothers is more apparent now; where Sasuke was blunt and dismissive on the issue, Itachi soothes Stiles’ bruised ego by acknowledging the difficulty in language barriers. It helps make the desired end goal feel more obtainable. ]
English, [ he supplies, tapping his pencil against his chin as he considers this. ] A lot of people in Aefenglom came from English-speaking worlds. Sasuke can read Japanese, so I’m guessing that’s the equivalent of what you guys speak in your world.
[ Now isn’t the time to get sidetracked. He mentally reviews what Itachi has just informed him, considers how he’s heard Noshiko pronounce Japanese names and terms back home, and then tries again. ]
“Sasuke.” [ It still doesn’t sound like how Itachi said it. Annoyed with himself, he tries it slower. ] “Sasuke.”
[That information is helpful to have, and he files it away for later use. Even without a language barrier impeding them, he suspects there may be smaller, subtler issues in the future, colloquialisms unique between cultures.]
Better, but not perfect. [This class is pass or fail, so you failed. Play again.] Continue to practice and perhaps you'll improve, if you're committed to this.
[Perhaps is the hanging condition.] Though your attitude reflects a lack of effort, you pronounced my own name the most accurately. The distinction between sounds may be easier for you in translation. [So he won't waste time going over it.] Uchiha follows the same standard. U-chi-ha. Don't make the mistake of blending the syllables into one sound by speaking too quickly. Uchiha.
[ Fortunately, this isn’t a class he intends to fail. Unfortunately, that means he doesn’t plan on allowing Itachi to leave until he’s passed. ]
Your name is easier. [ An admittance as he drags a hand through his hair, still fighting down frustration with himself. ] Back home, I have a friend named Kira. Her mom’s named Noshiko. Both of their names feel easier to me than “Sasuke” and “Uchiha.”
[ Linguistics has never been a specialty of his, beyond the little written translation he did of archaic Latin and Japanese into English from the Argent bestiary. ]
Sasuke's name, as well as our family name, have some subtlety to them.
[As compared to his own and the examples Stiles has given. Practice would ease unfamiliarity, even if the names were foreign and challenging at first. It calls to mind a distant memory, out of nowhere—his brother's insistence of "Ita" in lieu of his full name, simply because he was still too young to pronounce it.
Itachi frowns.]
Somewhat improved. You may not master it in a single evening, however, though it's good to cement the knowledge. [Almost like training a muscle, time would tell.]
“May not master – ” What!? [ he balks obstinately. ] Dude, no way! I’ve got to get this down now.
[ The idea that he’s been mispronouncing Sasuke’s names all this time is still so mortifying that he can barely stand to think about it. But even more so than that, Stiles wants Sasuke to be able to hear his name spoken correctly and with confidence from a friend. This can’t wait. ]
I brought you leeks! That’s gotta earn me like, at least an hour of practice with you.
[In what world does this exchange rate exist. Itachi looks moderately uncomfortable, shoulders a bit more tight, unprepared to devote so much time to this particular task. Yet it's also painfully familiar—how many times had he stayed in the training field well past the mark of dusk, grinding in a specific technique or maneuver, determined to perfect it before the day ended?
He lets out a short breath.] I don't think you require me for that. Practice with Sasuke.
Oh my god. You are not so busy that you can’t spare an hour helping out your little brother’s friend practice his damn name as a surprise.
[ Stiles knows from experience not to push physical contact on Sasuke. Assuming that Itachi will feel the same way, he restrains himself from poking the man in the chest with an accusatory finger. ]
I was under the impression your request to meet here was important. [I.e. specifically related to Sasuke.] That isn't the case. Learning to have the discipline to guide yourself is more valuable.
[ Okay, Stiles. Deep breaths. If Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland can save the world in four minutes, you can learn how to pronounce your friend’s name in five times that. ]
Argh, fine. I’m keeping half the leeks though!
[ – to build an effigy to Itachi with, so he can strangle it later. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Alright. See you soon. If you get lost, let me know.
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Itachi doesn't respond. Fortunately for this time, his brother has left to sleep — a change in schedule evidently attributed to vampirism. That doesn't erase the need for subtlety and stealth. If Sasuke expected him to stay inside all day... well, it's an unrealistic expectation.
There's a bitter nostalgia to doing this. He's reminded of a much different time, sneaking in and out of the household, timing his arrivals and departures based on Sasuke's schedule so they would never cross paths. Sometimes waiting outside until he knew it was safe.
He spends a short period of time preparing to leave, which includes arming himself with borrowed kunai and shuriken as well as finding his shoes and a borrowed cloak. Then he heads to the Shopping District. The park is a quick find, but the last twenty minutes of the wait ends up devoted to... watching Stiles' restless energy entertain itself.
Eventually he crosses the grassy clearing, approach undisguised.]
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Itachi finally approaches. Stiles, who has taken to cloud gazing, startles violently as the man suddenly comes into his view upside down. ]
J-Jesus Christ!
[ The movement of his jerking legs as he sits up nearly knocks over the nondescript bag by his feet. ]
God, finally. Here. [ Reaching down, he grabs the bag and then shoves it in Itachi’s direction. ] A peace offering.
[ If Itachi looks inside the bag, he will find…leeks. Uchihas love leeks, right? Fuck if Stiles knows. ]
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... Set it on the ground, first. Then step away.
[It's like he's handling a live bomb here.]
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[ As someone who has created and sent bombs before – listen, totally not his fault, he was possessed, he pleads the Fifth – Stiles can only stare at Itachi in exasperated incredulity. ]
God, you’re both royal pains in the ass.
[ Despite the grumbling, he complies. The bag is put back on the ground and he takes three huge, dramatic steps away, hands thrown up in annoyance. ]
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Itachi approaches, one hand on the holster at his waist, then kneels. He withdraws the sharp end of a kunai to open the flaps of the bag with care to reveal its contents. ...Leeks. Why leeks? Perhaps Stiles thought he might be wanting for food; it was true he had no way to purchase meals, and he hadn't arrived with monetary resources. But only one ingredient on its own seems somewhat useless.]
What's the purpose of this offering?
['Peace'?]
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[ A hand slides into his front pocket, pulling out a beaten journal. Stiles then fiddles with his comm watch, starting to record an audio message sent to his spare (stolen) comm watch back at the cottage. If he can convince Itachi to humor him, it’ll be useful to listen to the recording later for practice. ]
Alright. Now, teach me how to pronounce your names properly.
[ And please don’t kill him. Remember: He bought you leeks!! ]
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You and Sasuke are familiar with each other. Why not ask him?
[He leaves the bag of leeks on the ground between them, for now.]
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[ Literally what happened. His ego still hasn’t recovered. ]
Dude, do you seriously want me butchering your names? Help a guy out. I want to get this right.
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Again, this seems... unnecessary to him, if only because he wouldn't care or take it personally if Stiles mispronounced his name. He wonders at the motivation—it's blatant this is more about Sasuke. To get these names correct for Sasuke.
Oh, and.]
... Is this the reason you asked for this meeting?
[He thought this was IMPORTANT!!]
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[ Squints at Itachi, wondering how well he’ll be able to keep up if the older Uchiha decides to make a break for it. ]
Please?
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Let me hear how you pronounce them.
[Is this a lost cause, or can it be done quickly—he'll figure out where Stiles is on that spectrum with this test.]
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“Sasuke,” [ he says immediately, probably confirming the man’s suspicions on why this is so important to him. A pause, and then he pronounces it again, slower: ] “Sasuke.”
[ Notebook at the ready, he peers at Itachi expectantly, awaiting feedback. ]
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Is that it?
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“Uchiha.” [ And then, in the most rushed “I don’t actually give a fuck” tone: ] “Itachi.”
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Itachi moves past the distaste coloring his own name, seeing no reason to address Stiles' obvious emotional investment in his younger brother's opinion; it's useful to know it exists.]
We'll start with Sasuke's name. [His own tone adopts a more careful, teaching volume, slower and explanatory. Education is one of the few activities in life he may feel sincere appreciation toward. Most aren't willing to admit their own ignorance, or willing to improve and correct their own behaviors or status quo. Some respect can be levered to Stiles for that, regardless of the reason he's approached Itachi.] I see room for improvement, though that would be expected of someone unaccustomed to a new language and its unique sounds.
You are placing too much emphasis on only part of his name. This loses clarity in the rest. I assume it has to do with how you are used to pronouncing syllables in your language. [He doesn't know what Stiles speaks, so this is mostly a guess.] Sa-su-ke. Sasuke. [Rather than slipping over the 'u' sound in the middle, Itachi enunciates every syllable equally, so it flows together as one.] Try it again.
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English, [ he supplies, tapping his pencil against his chin as he considers this. ] A lot of people in Aefenglom came from English-speaking worlds. Sasuke can read Japanese, so I’m guessing that’s the equivalent of what you guys speak in your world.
[ Now isn’t the time to get sidetracked. He mentally reviews what Itachi has just informed him, considers how he’s heard Noshiko pronounce Japanese names and terms back home, and then tries again. ]
“Sasuke.” [ It still doesn’t sound like how Itachi said it. Annoyed with himself, he tries it slower. ] “Sasuke.”
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Better, but not perfect. [This class is pass or fail, so you failed. Play again.] Continue to practice and perhaps you'll improve, if you're committed to this.
[Perhaps is the hanging condition.] Though your attitude reflects a lack of effort, you pronounced my own name the most accurately. The distinction between sounds may be easier for you in translation. [So he won't waste time going over it.] Uchiha follows the same standard. U-chi-ha. Don't make the mistake of blending the syllables into one sound by speaking too quickly. Uchiha.
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Your name is easier. [ An admittance as he drags a hand through his hair, still fighting down frustration with himself. ] Back home, I have a friend named Kira. Her mom’s named Noshiko. Both of their names feel easier to me than “Sasuke” and “Uchiha.”
[ Linguistics has never been a specialty of his, beyond the little written translation he did of archaic Latin and Japanese into English from the Argent bestiary. ]
Okay. Lemme try again. “Uchiha.”
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[As compared to his own and the examples Stiles has given. Practice would ease unfamiliarity, even if the names were foreign and challenging at first. It calls to mind a distant memory, out of nowhere—his brother's insistence of "Ita" in lieu of his full name, simply because he was still too young to pronounce it.
Itachi frowns.]
Somewhat improved. You may not master it in a single evening, however, though it's good to cement the knowledge. [Almost like training a muscle, time would tell.]
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[ The idea that he’s been mispronouncing Sasuke’s names all this time is still so mortifying that he can barely stand to think about it. But even more so than that, Stiles wants Sasuke to be able to hear his name spoken correctly and with confidence from a friend. This can’t wait. ]
I brought you leeks! That’s gotta earn me like, at least an hour of practice with you.
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An hour.
[In what world does this exchange rate exist. Itachi looks moderately uncomfortable, shoulders a bit more tight, unprepared to devote so much time to this particular task. Yet it's also painfully familiar—how many times had he stayed in the training field well past the mark of dusk, grinding in a specific technique or maneuver, determined to perfect it before the day ended?
He lets out a short breath.] I don't think you require me for that. Practice with Sasuke.
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[ Stiles knows from experience not to push physical contact on Sasuke. Assuming that Itachi will feel the same way, he restrains himself from poking the man in the chest with an accusatory finger. ]
I’m not asking a lot here, dude!
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I was under the impression your request to meet here was important. [I.e. specifically related to Sasuke.] That isn't the case. Learning to have the discipline to guide yourself is more valuable.
[5.0 difficulty on ratemyprofessors.com.]
... Twenty minutes.
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[ Okay, Stiles. Deep breaths. If Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland can save the world in four minutes, you can learn how to pronounce your friend’s name in five times that. ]
Argh, fine. I’m keeping half the leeks though!
[ – to build an effigy to Itachi with, so he can strangle it later. ]
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chuckles, im in danger
:}
text; the fact that i used "eminent" instead of "imminent" is going to haunt me until the day i die
i didn't even notice, but now i do