[Usually, when Itto and Yoimiya are sharing a meal it's a contest with an audience of children cheering them on. Both of them get ridiculously competitive about it, so the experience is less about dining together and more about out-dining the other. Which is definitely a reasonable and possible thing to achieve.
Tonight's ramen dinner, however, is a 'thank you' to Itto for helping her out with some firework deliveries earlier in the day. There's no competition and no children to impress. Instead, there's sake.]
So you really can't handle any kinds of beans at all? I thought that was an old wives' tale.
[The answer is immediate and entirely too cheerful, if slightly muffled by the mouthful of noodles he's currently in the middle of.]
They really do a number on me. It's one hell of an allergy! Real pain in the ass when someone thinks they're bein' funny, though.
[Admittedly, he has willingly ingested beans on more than one occasion, or done so out of sheer ignorance, but... today, at least, he'd been careful to make sure the guy taking their order knew to keep his bowl free of tofu.
[Yoimiya's 100% sure there's no tofu in there. He said he was allergic, and allergies are no joke! This is supposed to be a nice dinner between friends, and a massive allergic reaction would sort of ruin the mood.
Although she can't help but wonder about a story she's heard around town...]
Didn't you eat a bunch of kitsune ramen with Guuji Yae, though? If you're that allergic, it's a wonder you're still here.
[He pounds a fist against the table, causing his own bowl to wobble and spill some broth over the edge.]
You're so little! Where would you even put it all?! Not that I don't think you could pack some away, but come on, you're looking at an expert here. Guuji Yae is pretty damn powerful, and I even beat her!
[The ramen shop owner grumbles something about not banging his furniture, but it's half-hearted. He knows better than to expect as much from Itto, although at least he's not with the whole gang tonight.]
Hey, don't underestimate me just because I'm smaller than you. I've kept up with you in other contests, haven't I?
[She gives him a grin, then shrugs and takes the bottle of sake, topping off both of their cups.]
We'll have to put that to the test one of these days.
[That's right, it could be much worse. It could be Itto and the boys. At least this is just two rowdy customers at the moment— maybe one and a half, at best, given he's the only one doing any banging.]
Well, yeah, but—
[Hmm, he doesn't have anything prepared for after that 'but.']
This is different! It ain't about smarts or strength, it's about how much your stomach can hold! Yours has to be smaller than mine, there's just no way.
[They both make each other like this. Depending on who you ask, it's a real problem, but as usual, he's too caught up in the argument of the moment to notice or care. Well, maybe argument is too strong a word— this is a friendly dinner, but also, this kind of counts as friendly for them?
Sort of.]
Yeah? You wanna put some real mora on that?
[WEE-WOO WEE-WOO DANGER ALERT]
I'll bet you 500 mora that I can pound more bowls of ramen than you in ten minutes!
[ Before departing Inazuma to return to Snezhnaya, Childe has one more person to track down. Meeting Yoimiya had taught him a lot about some local customs, including, of course, the art of battling onikabuto, and there's nothing that Childe would rather take home to teach Teucer than exactly that.
It's in his quest to learn more about this unique form of combat that Childe learns the name of one Arataki Itto from the Traveler during her visit, and decides to seek him out for his expertise on the subject. In his quest to master all types of battles, Childe must seek out only the finest of teachers to learn their combat arts. Though he can't help but wonder why Lumine had seemed like she was suppressing a smirk when she told him Itto's name...
Well, anyway. It's probably nothing. A few of the locals are able to point him in the direction of the Inazuma countryside where the so-called Arataki Gang has supposedly been spotted recently, though he is poised for a battle at a moment's notice. It would be just like a master of a unique fighting style to ambush him unawares as a test.
Before he finds them, however, Childe finds another sort of jackpot - a tree just covered in onikabuto. He picks up a sizeable one in his hands, giving it an appraising look. ]
Now, this one looks like it has the spirit of a warrior! What secrets do you hold, my horned friend?
[Onikabuto hunts have been part of Itto’s routine for some time now, and it’s no coincidence that the Arataki Gang’s last known whereabouts are thick with them. Itto expects to find a pretty wide variety to choose from while he’s out hunting, but what he doesn’t expect is to find someone else doing the exact same thing.
A rival.]
Hey there!
[The boisterous greeting comes from somewhere behind Childe, and if he looks over his shoulder, he’ll see a tall, broad-shouldered Oni standing there with his hands on his hips, wearing a toothy grin.]
Another onikabuto enthusiast, huh? That’s a fine specimen you have there— but there’s more to this than size, you know!
As soon as he's addressed, Childe reacts quickly, whirling around, poised to summon his weapon if necessary, though he's still holding the onikabuto in his hand. It's just kind of chilling there, not minding being manhandled. ]
Oh? You seem to know your stuff, good sir!
[ Child eyes the horns and his hair. Could he have been so lucky as to find the onikabuto expert already? ]
[ Ah, it’s good to know his instincts were right on, though even if Childe did not correctly identify him as Arataki Itto, he gets the impression that he would have been informed as much pretty soon anyway.
People with egos can only go so long without talking about themselves. He would know. ]
Ahaha, well met, Arataki Itto! You can call me Childe. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for you. I was told you are the preeminent expert on onikabuto fighting in all of Inazuma.
[ If that is even a title someone can have. There’s so much Childe still has to learn! ]
[Friend, rival, they're the same thing, right? Another thing people with egos enjoy is having them stroked— and Itto's chest actually puffs out a little bit as he eagerly accepts that bit of praise.
That's definitely a title someone can have. He's adding it to his growing list.]
You seek to learn from the master?
[It doesn't matter that he's never won a game, don't worry about it.]
[ To Childe, a friend and a rival are absolutely the same. It seems like he and this Itto fellow will get along just fine. Lumine really did him a solid, here! ]
I have! I want to take some back home with me to Snezhnaya, you see, and battle them with my little brother. Who knows, maybe the art of onikabuto battling will even catch on there!
[ He extends the beetle in his hand towards Itto. ]
Give me a glimpse into your mind. What do you make of this one?
[He closes his eyes for a moment as he rests a crooked index finger against his chin, nodding.]
I see, I see. Very noble of you!
[He opens his eyes once more, though his hand remains right where it is as he leans in to get a better look at the beetle in question without taking it for himself.]
This is a pretty impressive specimen! On the bigger end of mid-sized, so he might not be as heavy a hitter as some, but he should move faster! Hard to get an age estimate on thise little guy, though...
[ Hmm, those were his speculative impressions of the onikabuto as well. It's good to know his intuition wasn't off! Maybe he'll wind up being a natural at this, which means Teucer will be, too. He'll be even better than Childe could ever be. ]
Ah, so age plays a part too, then? I see, I see...fascinating. What's the ideal age for a fighting onikabuto? Young and spry, or seasoned with a bit of experience?
[ They're not too unlike Fatui recruits, if this winds up being the case! There may be even more he can draw from in his, ahem, professional life. ]
Sure does! Just like with people. You get older, things start breaking down, right?
[Not something either of them has to worry about just yet, but those are just the facts of life.]
Of course, all ages have their pros and cons. If you get a young one, they've got more energy and feel like they've got something to prove, so they'll have a lot of drive— but they can get reckless in the heat of the moment.
[He gives a sage nod as he straightens up and folds his arms across his broad chest.]
Experienced means they'll make more calculated decisions during battle, but get one that's too old, and they'll tire out quickly. It's a delicate balance, my friend.
[The drive to pick up Itto is an uneventful one, although finding a place to part is a bit challenging--she briefly considers asking him to pay for the garage she ends up parking in, but decides against it. A little bit of money is worth spending to see him home safe.
The street's crowded, which is enough to spike her anxiety a bit, but she makes it a point not to let that show. Given that Itto himself is difficult to lose in a crowd, finding him is relatively easy.]
[Whether or not she asks him for the money, he'll definitely be finding a way to make up for it later— money isn't typically something he has a lot of, but he always finds a way to repay favors in some fashion. Just the Arataki way! He's grateful for her going out of her way— even in his current state, he knows she didn't have to do any of this, and when she calls to him, his expression is bright as he turns his attention towards her, raising a hand to wave over the tops of the heads of other patrons.
If nothing else, he's a very cheerful drunk.]
'eeeeeey, fish-lady! You made it!
[He makes his way through the crowd to her, doing so easily enough thanks to his size— most people are eager to make way for him.]
[He'll... let that stand as a blanket answer to all of her questions. Tab? What tab?]
Everything's taken care of. You missed a wild night out! You an' Gorou should come with me and the boys next time, take a break!
[He occasionally gets Gorou to accompany him, but getting the great Sangriasamoa Kikima to go out with them? That would be really something, seeing her cut loose!]
[She has her doubts, knowing what she does of Itto from conversations with Gorou, but she chooses to take him at his word. If he hasn't taken care of things properly, he can deal with the consequences tomorrow when he's sober.
Besides, she has a feeling that trying to convince him otherwise is a waste of precious energy.]
That's very kind of you, but I'm not sure this is my kind of scene. It's... um, a bit rowdy.
[Don't worry about it, he's got it all under control! The Oni King always pays his debts! Or at least says he does.]
Aw, c'mon! I mean, we could go somewhere else, they ain't all like this, but don't you ever get tired of doin' General stuff? Don't you just wanna cut loose?
[Kokomi is pretty sure it takes mora and the ability to select which one you want to build a bear, but she keeps that thought to herself. He truly believes in what he's saying, and she's not so cruel as to challenge the purity of belief that comes with being drunk.
Especially since she suspects he'd have said that sober.]
To Build-a-Bear, then. Follow me.
[With that, she leads him to her car so that they can start their journey together.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Tonight's ramen dinner, however, is a 'thank you' to Itto for helping her out with some firework deliveries earlier in the day. There's no competition and no children to impress. Instead, there's sake.]
So you really can't handle any kinds of beans at all? I thought that was an old wives' tale.
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[The answer is immediate and entirely too cheerful, if slightly muffled by the mouthful of noodles he's currently in the middle of.]
They really do a number on me. It's one hell of an allergy! Real pain in the ass when someone thinks they're bein' funny, though.
[Admittedly, he has willingly ingested beans on more than one occasion, or done so out of sheer ignorance, but... today, at least, he'd been careful to make sure the guy taking their order knew to keep his bowl free of tofu.
He's pretty sure.]
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Although she can't help but wonder about a story she's heard around town...]
Didn't you eat a bunch of kitsune ramen with Guuji Yae, though? If you're that allergic, it's a wonder you're still here.
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[He laughs, reaching to ruffle his hair over the back of his neck.]
I made it out okay, but I was bedridden for awhile! I mean, I won, of course, but guess I learned a lesson that day.
[Yae had hoped for him to learn that winning wasn't everything, but the his takeaway was a little different.
Always. Check. For beans.]
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[What other lesson is there? Always. Check. For beans.]
You only won because you weren't facing up against a real opponent like me. I would have beaten you hands down.
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[He pounds a fist against the table, causing his own bowl to wobble and spill some broth over the edge.]
You're so little! Where would you even put it all?! Not that I don't think you could pack some away, but come on, you're looking at an expert here. Guuji Yae is pretty damn powerful, and I even beat her!
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Hey, don't underestimate me just because I'm smaller than you. I've kept up with you in other contests, haven't I?
[She gives him a grin, then shrugs and takes the bottle of sake, topping off both of their cups.]
We'll have to put that to the test one of these days.
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Well, yeah, but—
[Hmm, he doesn't have anything prepared for after that 'but.']
This is different! It ain't about smarts or strength, it's about how much your stomach can hold! Yours has to be smaller than mine, there's just no way.
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[He has a point, but she sure as hell isn't going to back down over a simple thing like facts. (WHY DOES HE MAKE HER LIKE THIS?)]
I can give you a run for your mora in just about any contest.
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Sort of.]
Yeah? You wanna put some real mora on that?
[WEE-WOO WEE-WOO DANGER ALERT]
I'll bet you 500 mora that I can pound more bowls of ramen than you in ten minutes!
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[The ramen shop owner visibly cringes, knowing exactly where this is headed.]
Sir, bring us your biggest bowls of ramen, and keep 'em coming!
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[He slams a fist against the counter— again, causing the owner to startle slightly, even if he should expect it by now.]
Even if we tell you to stop, even if we beg, don't listen! No room for quitters here!
[Maybe he's taking this a little far, but... it's probably fine.]
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[After recovering from his second startling of the night, he sighs and rubs his temples. "Which one of you will be paying for all of this?"]
The loser, obviously. Right, Itto?
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[That should— probably give him pause. He's not always the champion he claims to be, and he only ever has enough mora to just get by, if that, but—
Nah. He's definitely gonna win this one. He grins broadly, reaching both arms over his head and lacing his fingers together to stretch.]
Bring it on, I am ready!
[Today's sweet sweet taste of victory will be RAMEN.]
no subject
It's in his quest to learn more about this unique form of combat that Childe learns the name of one Arataki Itto from the Traveler during her visit, and decides to seek him out for his expertise on the subject. In his quest to master all types of battles, Childe must seek out only the finest of teachers to learn their combat arts. Though he can't help but wonder why Lumine had seemed like she was suppressing a smirk when she told him Itto's name...
Well, anyway. It's probably nothing. A few of the locals are able to point him in the direction of the Inazuma countryside where the so-called Arataki Gang has supposedly been spotted recently, though he is poised for a battle at a moment's notice. It would be just like a master of a unique fighting style to ambush him unawares as a test.
Before he finds them, however, Childe finds another sort of jackpot - a tree just covered in onikabuto. He picks up a sizeable one in his hands, giving it an appraising look. ]
Now, this one looks like it has the spirit of a warrior! What secrets do you hold, my horned friend?
no subject
A rival.]
Hey there!
[The boisterous greeting comes from somewhere behind Childe, and if he looks over his shoulder, he’ll see a tall, broad-shouldered Oni standing there with his hands on his hips, wearing a toothy grin.]
Another onikabuto enthusiast, huh? That’s a fine specimen you have there— but there’s more to this than size, you know!
no subject
As soon as he's addressed, Childe reacts quickly, whirling around, poised to summon his weapon if necessary, though he's still holding the onikabuto in his hand. It's just kind of chilling there, not minding being manhandled. ]
Oh? You seem to know your stuff, good sir!
[ Child eyes the horns and his hair. Could he have been so lucky as to find the onikabuto expert already? ]
Are you perhaps Arataki Itto, then?
[ The one and oni?? ]
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Itto laughs openly when the other man guesses at his name, showing sharp teeth in the process.]
That's me! First and greatest head of the infamously awesome Arataki Gang!
[He's great, just ask him.]
Who wants to know?
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People with egos can only go so long without talking about themselves. He would know. ]
Ahaha, well met, Arataki Itto! You can call me Childe. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for you. I was told you are the preeminent expert on onikabuto fighting in all of Inazuma.
[ If that is even a title someone can have. There’s so much Childe still has to learn! ]
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[Friend, rival, they're the same thing, right? Another thing people with egos enjoy is having them stroked— and Itto's chest actually puffs out a little bit as he eagerly accepts that bit of praise.
That's definitely a title someone can have. He's adding it to his growing list.]
You seek to learn from the master?
[It doesn't matter that he's never won a game, don't worry about it.]
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I have! I want to take some back home with me to Snezhnaya, you see, and battle them with my little brother. Who knows, maybe the art of onikabuto battling will even catch on there!
[ He extends the beetle in his hand towards Itto. ]
Give me a glimpse into your mind. What do you make of this one?
[ Let him see the master in action. ]
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[He closes his eyes for a moment as he rests a crooked index finger against his chin, nodding.]
I see, I see. Very noble of you!
[He opens his eyes once more, though his hand remains right where it is as he leans in to get a better look at the beetle in question without taking it for himself.]
This is a pretty impressive specimen! On the bigger end of mid-sized, so he might not be as heavy a hitter as some, but he should move faster! Hard to get an age estimate on thise little guy, though...
no subject
Ah, so age plays a part too, then? I see, I see...fascinating. What's the ideal age for a fighting onikabuto? Young and spry, or seasoned with a bit of experience?
[ They're not too unlike Fatui recruits, if this winds up being the case! There may be even more he can draw from in his, ahem, professional life. ]
no subject
[Not something either of them has to worry about just yet, but those are just the facts of life.]
Of course, all ages have their pros and cons. If you get a young one, they've got more energy and feel like they've got something to prove, so they'll have a lot of drive— but they can get reckless in the heat of the moment.
[He gives a sage nod as he straightens up and folds his arms across his broad chest.]
Experienced means they'll make more calculated decisions during battle, but get one that's too old, and they'll tire out quickly. It's a delicate balance, my friend.
BUILD A BEAR 🐻🐻🐻
[The drive to pick up Itto is an uneventful one, although finding a place to part is a bit challenging--she briefly considers asking him to pay for the garage she ends up parking in, but decides against it. A little bit of money is worth spending to see him home safe.
The street's crowded, which is enough to spike her anxiety a bit, but she makes it a point not to let that show. Given that Itto himself is difficult to lose in a crowd, finding him is relatively easy.]
Itto! Over here!
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If nothing else, he's a very cheerful drunk.]
'eeeeeey, fish-lady! You made it!
[He makes his way through the crowd to her, doing so easily enough thanks to his size— most people are eager to make way for him.]
You find the place okay?
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I did, thank you.
[Luckily, she knows the town pretty well!]
Are you ready to leave? Do you have everything, and have you paid your tab?
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[He'll... let that stand as a blanket answer to all of her questions. Tab? What tab?]
Everything's taken care of. You missed a wild night out! You an' Gorou should come with me and the boys next time, take a break!
[He occasionally gets Gorou to accompany him, but getting the great Sangriasamoa Kikima to go out with them? That would be really something, seeing her cut loose!]
hello I return after 8349730 days away
Besides, she has a feeling that trying to convince him otherwise is a waste of precious energy.]
That's very kind of you, but I'm not sure this is my kind of scene. It's... um, a bit rowdy.
I was away EVEN MORE days!
Aw, c'mon! I mean, we could go somewhere else, they ain't all like this, but don't you ever get tired of doin' General stuff? Don't you just wanna cut loose?
[Aren't you ever tired of being nice—]
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I do things other than General stuff. I read.
[Sometimes it's not even about military strategy!]
I feel like spending time with so many people like this, especially people who are partying, would stress me out further.
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[Sure, it can be relaxing, but it's not, you know, real fun.]
If the people are what's stressin' you out, there are other ways to have fun out there! Like Build-a-Bear.
[He still wants to go.]
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[She did promise to take him, but she wasn't sure how badly he wanted to go.]
We can "cut loose" there.
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[Like he would say something like that and not mean it!]
I wouldn't joke around about somethin' like that! Takes real courage and strength of heart to build a bear!
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Especially since she suspects he'd have said that sober.]
To Build-a-Bear, then. Follow me.
[With that, she leads him to her car so that they can start their journey together.]
(narrator voice) one year later
His entire expression lights up as she concedes, and he lets out a howl of excitement as he thrusts his fist into the air.]
Woo, yeah! Arataki Itto and the General, out on the town!
[Cheering aside, he does follow where she leads without wandering off.
Gorou would be so thrilled to know that they're bonding.]