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[anbu]

TEXT / AUDIO / VIDEO / ACTION
un: "uchiha, itachi" hungryeyes

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[mensrea]

[ What the fuck is Sencha. Time for Stiles to surf the web and learn everything he can about preparing Sencha tea. ]

It's only ginger because I haven't tried anything else!

[ But that's because ginger is really tasty... ]

You should help me figure out some other non-caffeinated kinds. You know, to expand my palette or whatever.

Dogs or cats?

[anbu]

That should be easy. There are several different herbal teas low in caffeine.

[... Does he want to admit this? As long as it doesn’t get too involved...]

Cats. I assume you prefer dogs.

[mensrea]

[ Fortunately, Stiles doesn't dig; Itachi preferring cats seems to make sense to him without needing further information. ]

Dogs, yeah. But I don't mind cats. It's just that they mind me.

[ Stiles is just a little Too Much for cats to deal with. ]

Just for the record, what are your feelings on dogs? Like...say I was thinking about adopting one... Is that a deal breaker for you, or??? This is all just hypothetical, of course.

[anbu]

[His mind immediately goes to the Inuzuka clan. Unseen, eyes narrow and a frown tightens his mouth. Fleas, dog hair, mud, slobber...]

Even if it was, it isn't my say what you wish to do here.

[mensrea]

No, but relationships are about compromise. I don't want to adopt a dog and suddenly you never visit me. Your opinion matters.

[ Even if they're not living together, which Stiles still is sore about. ]

[anbu]

I am fine with dogs.

[Lying is too easy... like sliding on a pair of worn, well-loved gloves for the first time in months, even if the reason now is highly stupid. He can tolerate a dog—for Stiles.]

Was that the real reason for this conversation?

[mensrea]

I already told you the real reason. Honest. Just bringing up dogs because it's been on my mind lately.

[ But if Itachi is supposedly "fine" with dogs, then... ]

How come you prefer cats?

[anbu]

Did you and Sasuke ever discuss the cats in our world?

[mensrea]

...Maybe? But your question is making me feel like I'd definitely remember if he did.

sighs

[anbu]

The short answer is that animals are not simply animals in our world, at least not in all cases. For example, ninneko are a species of cats who live in their own separate, organized community unaffiliated with any village. They have some similar skills to human shinobi, such as erasing their scent to move undetected and enforcing security around the perimeter of their domain. They're well-known to provide various tools and items unobtainable anywhere else but within their own black markets.

The Uchiha clan once relied on a woman living in this community for supplies. Growing up, I visited her — and the ninneko as well — several times. Once Sasuke was older, I occasionally took him with me on these errands. I kept him occupied with games that involved the ninneko, such as compiling an encyclopedia of paw prints. I suppose it's still a sentimental memory for me.

[A long-winded "I like cats."]

laughs

[mensrea]

[ “…animals are not simply animals in our world,” Itachi begins, and Stiles braces himself for yet another round of shinobi world bullshit breaking his mind. It starts off that way too, with Stiles growing increasingly incensed at the idea of there actually being a legitimate ninja cat clan. But then Itachi continues. Stiles finds his frustration and aggravation seeping away, scrubbed out of existence by the anecdote of the two brothers and the paw-print encyclopedia. It’s all so painfully endearing that he has to sit there for a few moments, just helplessly smiling, heart full of genuine love for both Itachi and Sasuke. ]

I bet it’s a sentimental memory for him too.

Wish I could have seen this encyclopedia, though. Sounds impressive. How embarrassed do you think he’d be if I asked him about it? 😉

[anbu]

I’m not certain. At the time, I only did it because he would throw tantrums for attention.

[Get wrecked, otouto.]

Sasuke might know more about whatever happened to the book.

[mensrea]

Oh my god, what a brat.

[ But through the hilarity of learning this fact, Stiles wonders if that need for attention from Itachi stemmed from the lack of attention Sasuke received from his father. The thought is sobering. ]

The paw-print encyclopedia was a cute idea though. Clever way to distract him.

Too bad tricks like that won't work on me. You're stuck with my tantrums for attention.

What's your favorite meal?

[anbu]

... I haven’t seen you throw a tantrum for my attention.

[Now he’s suspicious. Stiles would definitely be more wily and creative than his younger brother as a child, if their early interactions were any measure.]

I like cabbage, and onigiri with seaweed. What is yours?

[mensrea]

No comment about the tantrums.

[ Stay suspicious, Itachi. ]

Before I answer what my fave is, what's onigiri?

[ That'll determine whether or not he's going to dunk on someone listing CABBAGE as their favorite food. Like, come on. How dull can you be? ]

[anbu]

Rice shaped into a ball, in this case wrapped with seaweed, often including a filling. I haven't yet found any in the dimensions we've visited.

[mensrea]

Itachi, this has to be the blandest food I've ever heard of. Are you seriously telling me THIS is your favorite? Not something savory or sweet or spicy or sour?

[ Why do all those words begin with "s." Stiles blinks at the message, a little perplexed. ]

Well, anyway... The Ruby Underground serves Asian-style cuisine. We might be able to find you onigiri down there.

[ A perfect idea for their first date! ]

[anbu]

Onigiri can be savory.

[Wow, don't diss it until you try it.

As usual, that thoughtfulness brings him pause, uncertain how to respond. Perhaps it's effortless on Stiles' part. But more importantly than his tendency to ruminate over other people's actions and intentions:]

Tell me yours.

[mensrea]

[ “Onigiri can be savory.” ]

Not sure if I have a FAVE. I miss pizza more than I thought I would, honestly. Onion rings too. Even the shitty ones from Sonic.

(Pizza is flat, rounded dough baked with toppings of tomato sauce and cheese. You can add other toppings like meats or veggies or even pineapples. Onion rings are the exactly what they sound like, but dipped in batter and bread crumbs and deep fried. You’d probably hate them. And Sonic is a fast-food restaurant chain across the United States where I’m from.)

[anbu]

Thank you for the explanation. I would recommend sharing this pizza with Sasuke — it may be more to his taste, if his preferences haven’t changed. He enjoys tomatoes.

Pineapple seems like an unusual [disgusting] choice. And you’re correct. I don’t understand the desire to do that to onions.

[Like somebody’s committed a horrible crime.]

Stiles, it isn’t my intention to interrupt your line of questioning, but I was reminded recently: have you been able to obtain ‘Adderall’ here?

[mensrea]

[ Well, that explains the bowl of tomatoes casually sitting in Sasuke’s kitchen.

The comment about his Adderall gives him pause. To anyone else, it might seem like Itachi is making a snide comment about Stiles’ current line of questioning and behavior – but he knows the other man lacks the context about his ADHD and medication. ]

I managed to get it back in Hell. In exchange for a favor, one of the demons enchanted it so it’ll never run out. Probably the best trade I’ve ever made. Anyway, the Adderall came with me to Noctium, so we’re good.

And before you ask, it wasn’t a sexual favor.

What reminded you about it?

[anbu]

I wouldn't blame you if it was. But that is a convenient and useful enchantment.

Nothing specific. [Time to be evasive as fuck, the Uchiha way. Fortunately this is common enough behavior that he doubts it will raise any flags with Stiles.] On the subject of decaffeinated tea, I thought you avoided coffee due to your disorder. Were you drinking it a few weeks ago?

[He had forgotten to ask, on that occasion, considering Stiles' hands around his throat were a worthy distraction.]

[mensrea]

[ Oblivious as to the real reason Itachi was reminded of his medication, Stiles happily accepts the excuse without suspicion. ]

Yep. It intensifies my medication. I was trying to reverse engineer the network devices and needed the extra boost to my focus. But that combo tends to have unpleasant side effects, like making me really jittery and nervous, so I try to avoid it.

Hey, wanna go on a date?

[ Point blank, no build up. ]

[anbu]

[That effectively slams his mind still in its track.]

A date.

[mensrea]

A date.

[ Helpful. ]

With me.