codename-freyaΒ asked:
"Kurotsuchi-taicho. I heard you like sweets, happy christmas," Kaisa held out a box that had candies in it for him. Nothing she made. They're all pre-packaged and unopened.
@codename-freya οΌ unprompted οΌ always accepting.
It was almost as if the girl had been spying on him... No remark's given (though, it would've been more than warranted. deserved, practically... an obligation, almost.) upon the potential-- at the very least, one of a verbal nature. In its place, however, remained an expression that did most of the legwork otherwise.
To say that it hosted "disbelief" might've been mere hyperbole. On the other hand (for most people, anyway. mayuri understood not everyone had more than, at minimum, four hands to spare.), however? This wasn't a look that gave off what most might've come to expect when presenting a gift: appreciation. It's in somewhat of a limbo state, instead; it's left him incapable of settling on "how" he should "feel" currently.
Gifts had never been part of the "mission statement" within his division-- this wasn't to say it was prohibited (as long as it didn't distract his subordinates then he couldn't care any less.) but, rather, Mayuri was more than content to be excluded. This was done on purpose, it being a necessity almost to repeat every year once the calendars were flipped to December.
As such, to "receive" and to "give" were things Kurotsuchi Mayuri never found... imperative to study.
One, low hum's eventually returned towards the gesture. Head tilted, eyes panning down at the offered item (common sense informs him she spent... money? on him. how odd.) before slowly extending one of his hands. With its palm facing skywards, he's silent in his demand -- requests were simply not part of the Twelfth's modus operandi -- for her to hand the box just so.
"That I do," he confirmed after a few more seconds of silence, fingers bending and snaking their way over the package's edges to ensure a secure grip. "It's almost... creepy, wouldn't you "say", how fast--"
Eyes jerked away with the immediate pause in his speech. Lips thinned, forming a small but straight line. Thoughts circled and circled (not a rumor. not a piece of gossip. not an urban legend.) before coming to a sudden stop, allowing for him to return his gaze back unto her. Another hum to denote his mild amusement in regards to the situation touched the open air.
"--word travels. Not that I'm particularly offended."
A shrug's offered -- not quite helpless, not quite exasperated -- in line with his statement.
Bringing the box of candy (his nose picks up a few familiar scents.) closer to his face, his head cants once more. It's a steeper tilt, eyes going half-lidded for a split second only to blink out of it. A corner of his lip twitched, unsure whether to frown nor to smile. As far as he was aware, he's feeling no different than what he was before she's so bravely interrupted him, but... he supposed there was no exact reason, either, to stick to his strict schedule day after day.
Variety was the spice of life, after all.
"Nonetheless, this "gesture" has been..." eyes rolled, first up at the ceiling then flicking down to Kaisa, "...duly noted."
Mayuri remained still for a few, idle seconds. His gaze's since averted, adjusting its attention back onto the present. Head tilted opposite of its previous direction (he thinks about bowing his head as... that was the appropriate form of gratitude. however, he was a superior above all else.) right as he turned his back to her. Opening the box first -- she absolutely didn't need to see him "enjoy" his gift, now did she? -- and plucking one of the delicacies out, he gave her a halfhearted wave.
If Kaisa were to, perhaps, squint, there might've been a small, pre-packaged (now that he thinks about it... the lack of supposed effort was slightly comical.) mint pinched betwixt index finger and thumb. She would've had to be quick, however, as it's already gone. Plastic's been disposed of to... somewhere. Most likely. Popped into his mouth with an unceremonious crunch, the sweet's disappeared into the metaphorical aether.
"Perhaps, I should follow in your "footsteps"... and share with my fellow man, heh," he offered in a slightly jovial voice, lowering his arm in the midst of his pondering. "It'll be fascinating to see their "reactions" to their captain "suddenly" displaying goodwill. A most fascinating experiment, inde~eeed..."
Without waiting for any further input, Mayuri's already begun his route back towards his division. For what it was worth, Kaisia, this could be considered a "mission success".