[Nanami sets his menu down, he knows what he wants and he can't keep using it as a distraction. They've already gotten too deep into this conversation now and they haven't even ordered their meals. But then, he always has been an efficient man. Idia's blush tells him just about everything he needs to know here, that and his somewhat evasive reply.]
When you care deeply for someone [Because he's not about to use the L word again here.] it does feel different. Spending time with them isn't a chore the way it is with other people.
[He stops because he suddenly sees where they might be alike. And that Idia is the him that wasn't forced into social compliance from a young age. But is that part of him (the one that doesn't particularly like or want to be around people) really make him attractive at all? Does it make either of them more attractive? He looks away, thinking too hard about this now.
Which is for the best because he doesn't notice at all that he has implied Idia cares deeply for Seras.]
[That-- he doesn't disagree but it's a lot to hear your own thoughts spoken out loud by someone else. Time with Seras is never a chore and that's something that he's been trying to understand, a realization he's turning around in his head constantly. Obviously he cares. The depth of that is hard to wrap his head around. But... not untrue.]
Yeah that... makes sense. [Glances up from fiddling with his napkin.] Introverts just get that sorta thing.
[Because, like, duh Nanami's in the same boat as him. It's a callout but a very obvious one, like pointing out that the circus is in town.]
[Nanami isn't going to deny it. He's absolutely spot on with that analysis. And it's probably for the best that the waiter comes back with Nanami's drink then and asks if they're ready to order. Nanami doesn't hesitate to order first, calm and certain of himself. It's years of practice at asserting himself this way, and it helps to overcome the other thoughts running through his head to have something to focus on.]
[He keeps his gaze fixed on his own glass while Idia orders, giving him one fewer set of eyes to worry about.]
I never really considered that introversion would be attractive to some people, but I suppose I should rethink that considering our circumstances. [He's still trying to find things they have in common that might attract the same people.]
[Idia's grateful for the interruption, even if it means having to order. He's thankfully prepared for this and follows his mental script to a T in spite of the terrors (Nanami isn't watching him, at least. Idia checks). Dessert order complete-- mission success! He can practically hear the victory noise after it's done! Heheh!
Immediately, though, they're back in awkward city.]
Ah... Attractive is kind of a stretch... Knowing what you're getting is kind of an appeal. A login bonus.
[It's not that he doesn't think it's a perk, especially knowing that he and Seras are on the same page when it comes to social battery.
Why the fuck is he talking about this? Why is he indulging this? Why does Heaven have this effect on him? Idia rotates his glass of water around in search of some half-dissolved truth capsule.]
Wait. [Sets his glass down with a thunk.] Are you speculating?
I'll admit that part of my reason for asking you here is to understand what makes us both so appealing to the same people. I didn't really think of us as being all that similar, and yes, I suppose I am speculating about it.
[He does look up at Idia and for a moment it's a dark look, full of emotions he's been keeping in check. The jealousy, the anger, the disgust. But the look is gone in a moment and he's back to his usual businesslike demeanor.
It doesn't help his mood that Idia seems to be reading him fairly accurately. He can't decide if he's upset by it or just accept that it's probably another reason they share interested parties.]
But I don't think either of us enjoys talking about that. Maybe you can tell me a little about what you like to do in your free time.
[Does Idia even have a job? Nanami can't really picture it, but it's the best way to phrase his question so he says it like he believes it.]
[oh. hm! very interesting. idia can't help but press his grin against the rim of his glass as he takes a drink.]
Heh. Can probably only speak for myself but [setting the glass down with a soft "thunk"] better not heheh~
[there's a level of smug confidence to idia right now that hasn't been present in the past. the intimidation factor doesn't really hit at this angle. he does, in fact, thrive when it comes to others being envious of him. like, yeah, of course.
the "both" does snag on his brain. what the fuck does that mean? but nanami is ultimately right. he super doesn't want to talk about this.
moving on--]
Uh game, mostly... I'm into all kinds-- PC, BG, MMORPG. [lots of fuckin letters] A p rich diet if I do say so. Heh, actually it's cool, Seras got pretty into 'em too. Started small with cozy games like Critter Crossroads -- super reliable, great parallel play -- but we've been getting into Mortal Kombat and--
[that grin of his is all earnestness now, slipping into something almost... fond. enthusiasm for being able to share his hobby is truly the link between his crushes, on top of a multitude of other that'll stay locked firmly in his head. idia's gestures become more animated as he goes on about his character picks, how seras is really picking it up, actually. that creme brule of his goes neglected as he gestures with his fork.]
[The confidence is a new kind of annoying and Nanami shifts back from his more open emotional stance to something that he would bring to a business meeting. It's almost an admission of defeat, but he's trying to keep his cool and not make this interaction worse, so it's more of a fall back move.]
[There isn't much room to interject once Idia gets to talking about something he's interested in. But this is what Nanami wanted, to hear about something he has real passion for. Only, it's all just gibberish for him. There's some chatter in there about Seras and how they're bonding over this, but Nanami can't be that jealous over what he doesn't understand. What does he even do with this? For the moment he's going to eat his dinner (duck breast with seasonal vegetables in a red wine sauce) and try to let the words wash over him.]
Don't forget your meal. [He manages to get in edgewise at one point.]
[Idia's not put off by this, someone used to needing a reminder to eat. The way he holds his utensils is detestable but it gives Nanami a brief reprieve from the onslaught of nonsense.]
So yeah, it's uh [Idia wipes at the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb.] sorta like that. Not a big deal.
[He's content to just go back to his meal but he gets this distinct feeling like he's being watched. That's probably just what it's like to have Seras at the back of his head, gesturing with her hands for him to say words, to at least try. Idia sighs lightly.]
I see. [He absolutely does not see. But he's also not interested in any further explanation.
Watching Idia hold utensils is throwing him off some, he isn't going to say anything because that would be rude, but he is staring somewhat intensely. There's definitely a part of him that resents their shared traits right now because he doesn't want to be thought of like this.
But he's been asked a question and he can latch onto that.]
I enjoy reading, and I've been cooking and learning to dance. I don't have a lot of time to myself still, I've been working more than I should. But there's a lot of things I want to do here, and people I want to be there for.
[He can hear it, the heavy sound of his voice as he realizes he's in the same rut he's been in before. Twice. Not that Idia would understand, that was part of a whole different lifetime for him. And the whole point of being here was to learn more about each other.]
I suppose I can't really escape my life no matter how dead I get.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
When you care deeply for someone [Because he's not about to use the L word again here.] it does feel different. Spending time with them isn't a chore the way it is with other people.
[He stops because he suddenly sees where they might be alike. And that Idia is the him that wasn't forced into social compliance from a young age. But is that part of him (the one that doesn't particularly like or want to be around people) really make him attractive at all? Does it make either of them more attractive? He looks away, thinking too hard about this now.
Which is for the best because he doesn't notice at all that he has implied Idia cares deeply for Seras.]
no subject
Yeah that... makes sense. [Glances up from fiddling with his napkin.] Introverts just get that sorta thing.
[Because, like, duh Nanami's in the same boat as him. It's a callout but a very obvious one, like pointing out that the circus is in town.]
no subject
[Nanami isn't going to deny it. He's absolutely spot on with that analysis. And it's probably for the best that the waiter comes back with Nanami's drink then and asks if they're ready to order. Nanami doesn't hesitate to order first, calm and certain of himself. It's years of practice at asserting himself this way, and it helps to overcome the other thoughts running through his head to have something to focus on.]
[He keeps his gaze fixed on his own glass while Idia orders, giving him one fewer set of eyes to worry about.]
I never really considered that introversion would be attractive to some people, but I suppose I should rethink that considering our circumstances. [He's still trying to find things they have in common that might attract the same people.]
no subject
Immediately, though, they're back in awkward city.]
Ah... Attractive is kind of a stretch... Knowing what you're getting is kind of an appeal. A login bonus.
[It's not that he doesn't think it's a perk, especially knowing that he and Seras are on the same page when it comes to social battery.
Why the fuck is he talking about this? Why is he indulging this? Why does Heaven have this effect on him? Idia rotates his glass of water around in search of some half-dissolved truth capsule.]
Wait. [Sets his glass down with a thunk.] Are you speculating?
no subject
[He does look up at Idia and for a moment it's a dark look, full of emotions he's been keeping in check. The jealousy, the anger, the disgust. But the look is gone in a moment and he's back to his usual businesslike demeanor.
It doesn't help his mood that Idia seems to be reading him fairly accurately. He can't decide if he's upset by it or just accept that it's probably another reason they share interested parties.]
But I don't think either of us enjoys talking about that. Maybe you can tell me a little about what you like to do in your free time.
[Does Idia even have a job? Nanami can't really picture it, but it's the best way to phrase his question so he says it like he believes it.]
no subject
Heh. Can probably only speak for myself but [setting the glass down with a soft "thunk"] better not heheh~
[there's a level of smug confidence to idia right now that hasn't been present in the past. the intimidation factor doesn't really hit at this angle. he does, in fact, thrive when it comes to others being envious of him. like, yeah, of course.
the "both" does snag on his brain. what the fuck does that mean? but nanami is ultimately right. he super doesn't want to talk about this.
moving on--]
Uh game, mostly... I'm into all kinds-- PC, BG, MMORPG. [lots of fuckin letters] A p rich diet if I do say so. Heh, actually it's cool, Seras got pretty into 'em too. Started small with cozy games like Critter Crossroads -- super reliable, great parallel play -- but we've been getting into Mortal Kombat and--
[that grin of his is all earnestness now, slipping into something almost... fond. enthusiasm for being able to share his hobby is truly the link between his crushes, on top of a multitude of other that'll stay locked firmly in his head. idia's gestures become more animated as he goes on about his character picks, how seras is really picking it up, actually. that creme brule of his goes neglected as he gestures with his fork.]
no subject
[There isn't much room to interject once Idia gets to talking about something he's interested in. But this is what Nanami wanted, to hear about something he has real passion for. Only, it's all just gibberish for him. There's some chatter in there about Seras and how they're bonding over this, but Nanami can't be that jealous over what he doesn't understand. What does he even do with this? For the moment he's going to eat his dinner (duck breast with seasonal vegetables in a red wine sauce) and try to let the words wash over him.]
Don't forget your meal. [He manages to get in edgewise at one point.]
no subject
[Idia's not put off by this, someone used to needing a reminder to eat. The way he holds his utensils is detestable but it gives Nanami a brief reprieve from the onslaught of nonsense.]
So yeah, it's uh [Idia wipes at the corner of his mouth with the pad of his thumb.] sorta like that. Not a big deal.
[He's content to just go back to his meal but he gets this distinct feeling like he's being watched. That's probably just what it's like to have Seras at the back of his head, gesturing with her hands for him to say words, to at least try. Idia sighs lightly.]
You've got hobbies, right?
[Spreadsheets?]
no subject
Watching Idia hold utensils is throwing him off some, he isn't going to say anything because that would be rude, but he is staring somewhat intensely. There's definitely a part of him that resents their shared traits right now because he doesn't want to be thought of like this.
But he's been asked a question and he can latch onto that.]
I enjoy reading, and I've been cooking and learning to dance. I don't have a lot of time to myself still, I've been working more than I should. But there's a lot of things I want to do here, and people I want to be there for.
[He can hear it, the heavy sound of his voice as he realizes he's in the same rut he's been in before. Twice. Not that Idia would understand, that was part of a whole different lifetime for him. And the whole point of being here was to learn more about each other.]
I suppose I can't really escape my life no matter how dead I get.