#carnifcx

     there was only so much a girl could do to entertain herself these days. toying with humans had always been a favorite pastime of hers, but the men were becoming far too predictable and the women too cautious to be any fun. her mind games weren’t taking so well as they once did years ago. 

      “As I’m not really good at lying – I’ll be entirely honest with you: It’s a little bit of both. I have some questions about how I should go about handling some of the youths in my school. And, furthermore, I was hoping you might give me a bit of your time personally. I’m… not mistaken in the fact that it is your birthday, correct? I was hoping you might be willing to spend it with me.”

      The young headmaster wasn’t a liar. He wasn’t good at it and he wasn’t willing to even try – Munakata had been through enough without trying to deal with the former Ultimate Lucky Student’s shenanigans.  The very least he deserved from Makoto Naegi was some honesty, and he was willing to give that to the older man as directly as he knew how. I mean, it embarrassed him a little to admit so upright that he’d had a bit of an ulterior motive for inviting the other here – in fact, the crimson that began to dust his cheeks a little would only further confirm his own awkwardness at things like this, but? The stubbornness behind his eyes wouldn’t waver.

      “Of course, you don’t need to.” He continues, scratching his cheek a little – awkwardly, though he does smile. “I just… I thought it might be nice to catch up with you. And I feel like it’s… just lonely to be traveling about, especially on your birthday.” It was out of concern for the other that he did this: And, sure, he wasn’t sure entirely whether the other would find that annoying or not – but he still had to give it a shot.

      Munakata was a big part of the reason he’d become the man who he’d become now. And he’d learned a little more about putting his foot down and standing up for what he believed in due to everything that had happened – now that he was Headmaster of the Reestablished Hope’s Peak Academy, he wanted more then ever to keep getting stronger. Learning more. Becoming someone who could do justice for the talented youths whom had found themselves under him now. “And regardless of your answer: I’ve prepared some coffee and even a small cake. So, at the very least, would you mind sharing those with me while we speak of the students?”

      Unfortunately for HYDE he wouldn’t get to see the angels reaction to his unintentional slip up – he was already busy throwing himself fully into his new task of taking care of the other. He wasn’t sure when the other would change his mind, so? His best bet was to do his absolute BEST so that the other wouldn’t suddenly declare otherwise.

      If he worked hard at it and tried to keep himself in check to some extent… then the other would rest and hopefully recover sooner.

      “Tea it is, Angelcakes.” The blond calls back, before immediately setting to work on that as well. There was still some room on the stove. The soup he had set to cook was going now, though it did require some stirring, the water was now on the stove, and he continued his multi-tasking. The melon balls were almost complete, so he would serve those first. “But first, I have an appetizer.” And with that, he struts over to the other – the small bowl in hand as well as a small fork. “I’ll just set these here for now, but I’ll be back with your tea shortly.”

      And he did just that – within minutes, he had the tea ready as well. Serving it on a small tray filled with things he could add to it, should he choose to. Sugar cubes, milk, lemon. Anything he wanted. The HEDGEHOG was a strange S e r v a m p. He rarely stuck to an EVE, and even rarer? Did he do things when he wasn’t required to.

      To see him put his 110% into working on an earnest cause rather then for his own amusement? Was probably a bit of an oddity. “I’ll have some sandwiches and soup ready in just a bit too. So, don’t you go anywhere, Angel. I’ll be right back.” I mean, LICHT had already agreed to behave for now – so HYDE wasn’t overly concerned. The EVE of GREED didn’t usually lie. … u s u a l l y.

      A rich musical history was indeed correct. In Rantaro’s travels he’d become acutely aware of speaking to people – getting insider tips on areas and really learning how to scope things out. When he’d offered to come here, he’d done the same thing.

      It was no surprise to hear the many accomplishments that surrounded the area. And to hear that the museum was to hold a collection of some of the finer instruments which had belonged to those whom came from here? Well, it was a charming thought. And hearing the PRIDE that came from the town… well, it was a good feeling. All in all, it was painful to hear that many people were beginning to avoid this place now. The rumors were damaging the reputation of a place that was well l o v e d by those who surrounded it. So? It was hard to imagine that a sinister spirit or the likes could be involved…

      As he wasn’t someone who’d ever SEEN a ghost himself, he wasn’t entirely sure how he felt on the matter still – whether he believed in them or not. But the chance that it could be another HUMAN who might put his classmate in danger? Was the TRUE D R I V E for the protective Rantaro to come along.

      “Well, I’ll be happy to see it. The centerpiece of a museum is often breathtaking.” He spoke these words through a soft smile – because, despite the risk? It was thrilling to be here as well. Seeing the museum as often very few people ever would. Coming to a place like this at night? Well, to say the least, the ULTIMATE Adventurer wasn’t likely to forget this place anytime soon.

      However, now that they were inside, he knew he would have to focus. “… that makes sense. We should start there then, and make some beginning observations.” With that, Rantaro looks around – It was dark, but not so much so that the youth had too hard a time seeing. Given that it was a museum, it would often have maps around. Ether on the wall or little guides for guests… but, given that the building was mid-renovation? It appeared they would have to go off of something else… “Well, buildings of this period tend to have their main hall in this direction… so…” With that, Rantaro makes his mind up to start walking towards the direction. He was mostly talking to himself with that one – used to being alone in his travels, he didn’t have to worry about people hearing him think aloud. It was habit now.

      When the younger of the two of them makes his comment, Gladiolus grins a little and shrugs. The truth was he didn’t understand what was running through the younger two’s minds. They were acting goofy, but? The “SHIELD” recognized it as them probably attempting to do their best to not overwhelm Ignis on his birthday/day off.

       “I assume they know that already? But, who knows. Noct might be avoiding you so that he doesn’t accidentally start asking you for things – it’s sort’ve second nature for the king-to-be.” Gladio states, making his way over to his friend and companion. Unloading the mini-hoard next to his blond companion.

      The golden-eyed man had picked out a few things for Ignis – various little necessity gifts. Things that would make his life easier, such as a thermos for coffee, a better sewing kit, a new travel set of appliances. The boys? Had gone a little more in the goofy direction. Noct had bought Ignis many cans of E B O N Y, as well as a cook book that claims on the cover to know 50 recipes in which you could use Ebony as an ingredient. Whereas Prompto had picked up a stuffed animal – large, round, and plump. Supposedly it was a bird? And the shutter-bug had said he’d picked it because it “looked like Ignis” but? Honestly, Gladio couldn’t see the resemblance. Nor could he say it looked anything like a bird. But? The boys were goofy.

      Kokichi laughs a little to himself as he stands out in the hall – his present in hand, and presented outright, for whenever the other happened to open the door. This was actually part of the reason he’d come in the morning! A devious little sneak he was, when it came to things like this, but? But he knew for a fact that the other had a hard time waking up in the morning. He was often drowsy for hours – and he thought that surprising him was the best chance he had to get the other to agree.

      Especially when this was an earnest attempt on his part. The TRUTH he’d spoken aloud was that he wanted the two of them to be VALENTINES. That was true.

      But given the obscurity of it & the silly manner in which he presented it? He doubted the other would take it seriously – which was fine. The LIAR didn’t have the real t i m e for anything like that. But? He thought it might be nice to humor his own feelings for once. Even if… they weren’t going to be presented properly. And he wouldn’t explain to the other that he meant it. He was sure his friend, the ULTIMATE DETECTIVE, would take it as a prank. And that was fine. “G’morning, buddy!” The tiny SUPREME LEADER chimes, laughing a little.

      It was fun to fluster the other.

      And here was his cue to begin doing so more – the moment the other looked… flustered, and tried to explain to him the holiday, Kokichi allowed himself to look confused followed by sad. Well trained tears beginning to well up in his expressive eyes. “Ah… oh.” Disappointment clear on his features. His shoulders slumping as he lowers the gift a little. “… I guess… that means you don’t want them then?”

      The others comment earns him a grin from the Spirit Detective – he knew that though some might have meant the comment as something of a passive-aggressive note, he knew the FOX SPIRIT long enough to know when he was being teased. With that, he scratches at his cheek. “Well, gee. Didn’t think you’d want me to get ya somethin’ special. Should I try again?” He laughs out the words, but regardless, offers out the sweets.

      Kurama had in fact said that he would take them, so? He’d definitely take him up on that. And? As for h e r… well, he’d figure out something when she forgave him again.

       Eventually.

      However, as the other shifts attention to the bag of sweets at his side – the detective lets out a sharp, almost impressed, sounding whistle. “Holy shit, man.” He snickers, immediately poking through it a little. Kurama had asked for his help, after all. And yes, the red-head was right. He wouldn’t even remotely care about the implications of eating chocolate meant for someone else. Why? Because it was Kurama’s property now and he was offering it. So? Fairs fair, right? “And you got all these at school today?” He couldn’t even begin to hide his cheeky grin. It was hilarious to see all this chocolate dumped onto his companion. “How many more do you have that you couldn’t take home?” He had to ask – it was funny to imagine the others locker nearly bursting at the seems with sweets.

      Why? Who knows. Yusuke had a weird definition of humor.

      A hearty laugh escapes the dark-clad priest from his spot next to the ANGEL – amusement in his cynical eyes. “I don’t.” He responds, honestly. “But I do enjoy… encouraging others break the rules – I was asking for reference, so I know how long to keep you distracted.”

       It was a teasing banter from the older man. Clearly he knew the other was far past the age ( or the company ) to reinforce any sort of true curfew. Somehow he doubted that his corpse bodyguard doubled as an alarm clock of sorts. He was more then welcome to be proven wrong, but somehow, he just didn’t believe it offhand. However – that hadn’t kept the mischievous man from making the comment.

      It was funny – especially since they hadn’t seen each other in so long. “Imagine now, if I had approached you saying that line, though? Wouldn’t that have been especially funny?” He asks, lifting his glass back to his lips as his eyes drifted to the side. It was a funny thought. And, though he tended to MANIPULATE events to work out his way, the thought had only occurred to him now. ( … must be losing my touch. ) “Especially if I hadn’t recognized you at first~” A laugh escapes his lips then, humoring the idea as he nursed the drink in his hands.

      That comment was his little way of saying – I may have seriously meant the pick-up line. May have. Maybe.