[His eyes swivel abruptly to her, startled and scarlet, and he looks strangely hunted by the suggestion they're friends. The word is like a bullet fired, to him, and it echoes in his head for a long time. He stares, waits for her to think better of the statement, waits for her to get off the bed and leave anyway. Just kidding, she'd say. This is too much. He was always too much.]
[But she doesn't, and it sours his stomach further, so he closes his eyes on a wince, hugging his knees tighter still.] That's stupid, you barely know me.
( she hums, fondly recalling a game she played with him not too long ago with a smile on her face while she rubs her chin in thought. there's a playful sparkle in her eyes while she recites what she can remember. )
Your name is Goro Akechi. You're from a land called Tokyo. You're acquainted with Sir Kaeya and Master Diluc. You love cycling and climbing. You like coffee just like I do, and you don't have a specific favourite kind. ( Amber grins. ) See? I know some things. I'm looking forward to getting to know more, too.
[This time he sighs, and a bit of tension bleeds out of his coiled frame. He opens his eyes just slightly, staring at his elbow for a while before he shifts again, setting his chin on his arm and giving her an impassive look.]
...given my conduct for the evening that seems like a terrible idea on your part.
[Excuse you, ma'am, he is a whole six inches taller than you. Not that you can tell from the way he's folded all up on himself taking up like a twelfth of his own fucking bed. He hums again, closing his eyes a moment before opening them and staring at his feet.]
...apologizing is a moot point, given I most certainly will behave this poorly again. It's simply my nature. [To be an absolute prick of a man.]
( ok, sweetie. if he thinks that's thrown Amber off at all, he's got another thing coming. )
You can tell me over and over again how bad you are, but that doesn't change how I see you. You offered to help me with bingo tiles, you've spent time with me and agreed to step out of your comfort zone to have a sleepover with me.
( Amber leans over to place her warm hand on his lithe arm with a comforting stroke. )
Even if you can't see good things about yourself, people around you can. Now ... ( she removes herself and sits back. ) Let's think of something to do! Unless you want to keep talking. I'm good with either.
[He exhales gustily, shaking his head and jolting, but not pulling away when she puts her hand on him.]
[She really is so warm. He watches the spot on his arm her hand was once she pulls away again, the skin there instantly feeling cold, and looks up with a bit of a weary expression.] You're looking too hard if you're seeing good things. I inherited my mother's hair and high cheekbones but otherwise you ought to throw all of me in the river. [But he uncurls from his little tangle of limbs slightly, letting the self-deprecation be defensive, nihilistic humor.] I'm at a loss, for that.
( his mother must've been really pretty, she thinks, because he is really pretty. she smiles stiffly at him while quirking an eyebrow. )
If I throw you in a river, how will I check off this bingo square? ( she jests, before softening her expression. ) No rivers for you. You're staying right here. ( her eyes are kind when she peers at him, before she jumps off the bed. )
Okay, I have a crazy idea. I know we aren't supposed to have caffeine before bed, but ... what if we had some coffee? I know you like coffee, and I like coffee! And it's kind of rebellious, don't you think? Having coffee at such a late hour? Hehehe!
[At least she has a practical take on not throwing him in the river, he supposes. His eyebrows raise and he nods, wordlessly agreeing until she gets soft and he rankles back into uncertain frustration. When she vaults off the bed suggesting coffee, his eyes track her with a bland expression, and he unfolds to let one pale leg dangle off the edge of the bed.]
The very spirit of rebellion, I'd wager, [His tone is sarcastic, but he gets up anyway. There's a very faint smile to his features, somewhere between tolerant and actual enthusiasm.]
( YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH! late night coffee!!! Amber chirps out a giggle with glee when she sees him get up, which explicitly demonstrates his enthusiasm. was that a small smile she noticed? score! he just got even cuter. soon enough she joins him as they travel down the stairs and make their way to the kitchen.
instead of rummaging through his kitchen, she keeps both hands fixed behind her back while she hums, giving him the space to access everything they'll need. )
I'm looking forward to seeing how you like your coffee in person! I know we've talked about it, but it's just really nice to be around another coffee enthusiast. Plus, having it at this hour just makes it so much more exciting! ( if she's awake at 4am then we all know why...... )
[His kitchen is kind of depressing. It's very basic, but he does have a little french press he figured out how to work, probably from some little nugget of random coffee trivia he learned from Akira at some point. He sets an old metal kettle on the stove and turns on the burner, tapping his foot idly as if nervous for a moment before moving to the cabinets. The bag of coffee grounds is one of the only things in them, and he carefully measures out a few spoonfuls to put into the french press.]
...you're a very rule-abiding person, aren't you? To have never had coffee at a societal "taboo" hour...
Ehehe! ( she can't help but laugh because - he's absolutely called her out here, but she has broken rules before ... quite often, actually. )
Believe it or not, that's not the whole story. I try my best to abide by the rules now, but ... ( Amber bashfully scratches the back of her head. ) I might have had my gliding license revoked. At least, like ... twelve times or so. But that's because Mondstadt is all like, "no landing zone" this and "no gliding zone" that ... what's a girl to do?!
I used to be a huge troublemaker when I was little but, uh ... I try to be good now. Try.( she repeats, for emphasis! ) Still, there's something really thrilling about late night coffee!
So! Would you care to show me how you like to make yours? I'd love to see!
[He does his best to look surprised, but from Amber's spunky nature he had surmised she was likely a bit of a troublesome child. If she had this much energy as a young adult, he could only imagine her in adolescence and prior. He isn't entirely sure what a gliding license is, but from her description he can make an educated enough guess, grinning and staying quiet as he pulls out the few small things he has in his kitchen. There's a french press, and a hand-grinder, and a small bag of whole coffee beans.]
It's been a learning process, to be honest. I... knew someone, back home, who lived above a charming cafe that specialized in coffee and curry, and I've always been a bit unhealthily caffeinated to manage the amount of work I constantly put on my own plate.
[He scoops out two servings of beans into the grinder and turns the little handle, grinding them slowly into a coarse, even grind for the press. He remembers that much, at least. As he transfers the grinds to the press, he chuckles, drumming his fingernails against the glass.] This is another item designated as "French", though in this case it is, in fact, due to it being made popular by the French people.
Coffee and curry, huh? That sounds like a great combo! ( and one part definitely resonates with Amber: ) Honestly? Same, there. My job keeps me constantly moving around. Always on my feet. I think I'm a bit reliant on caffeine too, but ... ah well!
( who let him be so cute!! he becomes so animated when he talks about coffee, which strikes an arrow through Amber's heart. she can only wonder what it was like back in his world ... this mysterious world where a lot of things seem to be influenced by this elusive "French" place ... )
Seriously? Wow! There must be something really special about that "French" place in your world. What else is "French?" We know about kissing and coffee ... it sounds like a pretty great place, if you ask me!
[Akechi would probably actually hate the French, so if he ever somehow takes Amber for a visit in his world he would abstain from taking her to France wholeheartedly. Japan has plenty of passable French cafes to sustain them. He laughs, shaking his head.]
From what I understand, the French people are actually very haughty and annoying. I've never been to France, or anywhere in Europe, so I can't speak of personal testimony. [I forget if he started a kettle but we'll pretend he did-- when it starts whistling he claims it and pours the boiling water into the press.] French Kissing, French Fries, French Bread..., a French Press. [He gestures neatly.] French Lavender, French Vanilla... [He brings his hand to his mouth and sets his first knuckle against his lips, thinking. It smushes his lips up funny.]
Haughty and annoying? How can the people from a country that makes such wonderful things be like that!?
( to her, it makes no sense! France sounds like a paradise!! lord help him if she does go to his world because she Will Want To Experience France. the more he describes, the more her face lights up. )
Kissing, fries, bread, coffee, lavender, vanilla...! ( she sighs! ) What a paradise! I'd give anything to go to the real life France to try all of these things in their place of origin. I'll bet there's no greater joy than drinking French coffee with a French pastry ... in France!
( she flicks a playful smile at him, then giggles. )
And, uh, we can get a spot that's super isolated away from everyone. Just so we can enjoy amazing coffee and bread without any haughty people bothering us!
[He just watches her Be Excited, and is distinctly reminded, once again, of Sumire. He turns back to his French Press, despite it needing absolutely not monitoring, and sets his hands at the back points of his pelvis, turned inward against his waist.]
France is pretty far from Japan, but I suppose if ever presented the chance I could escort you. Though I don't speak very much French.
Oh...! ( Amber makes a high, excited little squeal when the inflection in her voice pitches sharply. )
You would do that? For me...? ( she laughs happily. ) That would be such a dream come true! I always ... ( the woman softens her excitement, and smiles. ) I always dreamed of travelling places. Getting out there, seeing the world! I want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. And I suppose language barriers would be one of the challenges of the trip, right? But it helps it feel like an adventure! Like ... "I'm definitely not at home", is what I'd think to myself.
[He doesn't quite flinch at the sound, but he does startle slightly.]
I see no reason not to, though it seems to be a very hypothetical, and moreover improbable scenario. [He looks her over as she once again provides an insight he hadn't considered. He worries about things like language barriers because he is analytical to a fault, and she just views it as part of the experience. It gives him pause.]
[He turns back to the French Press, then, and slowly depresses the plunger at the top of it.] ...that's a unique way to look at it.
( sorry 4 startling him with her enthusiasm LMAO )
Is it? ( Amber pushes out a soft, airy giggle. ) Glad you think so, I suppose!
( unlike Akechi, she lives her life by what she feels, rather than analysing the outcome. it may loan for some pretty impulsive actions, but there's undoubtedly a whole lot of fun that comes coupled with that. not to mention her outlook on life is one where she likes to indulge in the mundane and have everything feel new and refreshing.
once the aroma of coffee reaches her nostrils, she takes in a deep breath and hums out an approving sound. )
Mmmmmm. Oh my goodness ... that smells amazing.( if he can make a great cup of coffee, then that is yet another arrow flying through Amber's heart. )
[He's an introvert and no amount of incorrect character-assigned mbtis will convince me otherwise, he's easily startled by enthusiasm.]
[He wouldn't call the coffee great. It's passable-- it took a fair amount of tweaking to figure out how he liked it best when made this way, because he had no instructions, and furthermore no google to look it up. He drums his fingertips against the top, shrugging.] Don't get your hopes up too high. It can't hold a candle to many cups of coffee I've had.
[GOOD LUCK ENFORCING THAT RULE, AMBER... Nihilism is one of his greatest strengths.]
[He hums, shrugging and pulling down two mugs-- they're both covered in the same jagged black and white as is seen throughout the place. Pouring them both about three-quarters full, he sets one in front of Amber and then leans on the counter, inhaling the steam rising off his own.] Do you take any cream or sugar?
( Does this girl need any sugar, Akechi. Does she. But no, Amber's tastes are geared towards dark roasts and bitterness. A stark contrast to her bouncy personality. )
[He's surprised, actually. His eyebrows climb for space and he nods, taking a slurping sip of his own like he's doing a fucking coffee tasting at Starbucks, and can't help the slight smile that softens his features.]
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crescentview2023-01-03 05:56 pm
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[But she doesn't, and it sours his stomach further, so he closes his eyes on a wince, hugging his knees tighter still.] That's stupid, you barely know me.
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( she hums, fondly recalling a game she played with him not too long ago with a smile on her face while she rubs her chin in thought. there's a playful sparkle in her eyes while she recites what she can remember. )
Your name is Goro Akechi. You're from a land called Tokyo. You're acquainted with Sir Kaeya and Master Diluc. You love cycling and climbing. You like coffee just like I do, and you don't have a specific favourite kind. ( Amber grins. ) See? I know some things. I'm looking forward to getting to know more, too.
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...given my conduct for the evening that seems like a terrible idea on your part.
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( she will keep petting this tiny hedgehog of a man no matter how many spikes he points at her!! )
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...apologizing is a moot point, given I most certainly will behave this poorly again. It's simply my nature. [To be an absolute prick of a man.]
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You can tell me over and over again how bad you are, but that doesn't change how I see you. You offered to help me with bingo tiles, you've spent time with me and agreed to step out of your comfort zone to have a sleepover with me.
( Amber leans over to place her warm hand on his lithe arm with a comforting stroke. )
Even if you can't see good things about yourself, people around you can. Now ... ( she removes herself and sits back. ) Let's think of something to do! Unless you want to keep talking. I'm good with either.
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[She really is so warm. He watches the spot on his arm her hand was once she pulls away again, the skin there instantly feeling cold, and looks up with a bit of a weary expression.] You're looking too hard if you're seeing good things. I inherited my mother's hair and high cheekbones but otherwise you ought to throw all of me in the river. [But he uncurls from his little tangle of limbs slightly, letting the self-deprecation be defensive, nihilistic humor.] I'm at a loss, for that.
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If I throw you in a river, how will I check off this bingo square? ( she jests, before softening her expression. ) No rivers for you. You're staying right here. ( her eyes are kind when she peers at him, before she jumps off the bed. )
Okay, I have a crazy idea. I know we aren't supposed to have caffeine before bed, but ... what if we had some coffee? I know you like coffee, and I like coffee! And it's kind of rebellious, don't you think? Having coffee at such a late hour? Hehehe!
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The very spirit of rebellion, I'd wager, [His tone is sarcastic, but he gets up anyway. There's a very faint smile to his features, somewhere between tolerant and actual enthusiasm.]
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instead of rummaging through his kitchen, she keeps both hands fixed behind her back while she hums, giving him the space to access everything they'll need. )
I'm looking forward to seeing how you like your coffee in person! I know we've talked about it, but it's just really nice to be around another coffee enthusiast. Plus, having it at this hour just makes it so much more exciting! ( if she's awake at 4am then we all know why...... )
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...you're a very rule-abiding person, aren't you? To have never had coffee at a societal "taboo" hour...
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Believe it or not, that's not the whole story. I try my best to abide by the rules now, but ... ( Amber bashfully scratches the back of her head. ) I might have had my gliding license revoked. At least, like ... twelve times or so. But that's because Mondstadt is all like, "no landing zone" this and "no gliding zone" that ... what's a girl to do?!
I used to be a huge troublemaker when I was little but, uh ... I try to be good now. Try. ( she repeats, for emphasis! ) Still, there's something really thrilling about late night coffee!
So! Would you care to show me how you like to make yours? I'd love to see!
here u go amber have a flirty icon
It's been a learning process, to be honest. I... knew someone, back home, who lived above a charming cafe that specialized in coffee and curry, and I've always been a bit unhealthily caffeinated to manage the amount of work I constantly put on my own plate.
[He scoops out two servings of beans into the grinder and turns the little handle, grinding them slowly into a coarse, even grind for the press. He remembers that much, at least. As he transfers the grinds to the press, he chuckles, drumming his fingernails against the glass.] This is another item designated as "French", though in this case it is, in fact, due to it being made popular by the French people.
SO #BLESSED
( who let him be so cute!! he becomes so animated when he talks about coffee, which strikes an arrow through Amber's heart. she can only wonder what it was like back in his world ... this mysterious world where a lot of things seem to be influenced by this elusive "French" place ... )
Seriously? Wow! There must be something really special about that "French" place in your world. What else is "French?" We know about kissing and coffee ... it sounds like a pretty great place, if you ask me!
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From what I understand, the French people are actually very haughty and annoying. I've never been to France, or anywhere in Europe, so I can't speak of personal testimony. [I forget if he started a kettle but we'll pretend he did-- when it starts whistling he claims it and pours the boiling water into the press.] French Kissing, French Fries, French Bread..., a French Press. [He gestures neatly.] French Lavender, French Vanilla... [He brings his hand to his mouth and sets his first knuckle against his lips, thinking. It smushes his lips up funny.]
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( to her, it makes no sense! France sounds like a paradise!! lord help him if she does go to his world because she Will Want To Experience France. the more he describes, the more her face lights up. )
Kissing, fries, bread, coffee, lavender, vanilla...! ( she sighs! ) What a paradise! I'd give anything to go to the real life France to try all of these things in their place of origin. I'll bet there's no greater joy than drinking French coffee with a French pastry ... in France!
( she flicks a playful smile at him, then giggles. )
And, uh, we can get a spot that's super isolated away from everyone. Just so we can enjoy amazing coffee and bread without any haughty people bothering us!
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France is pretty far from Japan, but I suppose if ever presented the chance I could escort you. Though I don't speak very much French.
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You would do that? For me...? ( she laughs happily. ) That would be such a dream come true! I always ... ( the woman softens her excitement, and smiles. ) I always dreamed of travelling places. Getting out there, seeing the world! I want to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. And I suppose language barriers would be one of the challenges of the trip, right? But it helps it feel like an adventure! Like ... "I'm definitely not at home", is what I'd think to myself.
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I see no reason not to, though it seems to be a very hypothetical, and moreover improbable scenario. [He looks her over as she once again provides an insight he hadn't considered. He worries about things like language barriers because he is analytical to a fault, and she just views it as part of the experience. It gives him pause.]
[He turns back to the French Press, then, and slowly depresses the plunger at the top of it.] ...that's a unique way to look at it.
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Is it? ( Amber pushes out a soft, airy giggle. ) Glad you think so, I suppose!
( unlike Akechi, she lives her life by what she feels, rather than analysing the outcome. it may loan for some pretty impulsive actions, but there's undoubtedly a whole lot of fun that comes coupled with that. not to mention her outlook on life is one where she likes to indulge in the mundane and have everything feel new and refreshing.
once the aroma of coffee reaches her nostrils, she takes in a deep breath and hums out an approving sound. )
Mmmmmm. Oh my goodness ... that smells amazing. ( if he can make a great cup of coffee, then that is yet another arrow flying through Amber's heart. )
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[He wouldn't call the coffee great. It's passable-- it took a fair amount of tweaking to figure out how he liked it best when made this way, because he had no instructions, and furthermore no google to look it up. He drums his fingertips against the top, shrugging.] Don't get your hopes up too high. It can't hold a candle to many cups of coffee I've had.
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( NO SELF DEPRECATING TALK ALLOWED IN HERE, SIR. she's going to tell him a million times over. )
From the aroma alone, I can tell it's going to taste great. ( her body is ready. prepare those cups. )
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[He hums, shrugging and pulling down two mugs-- they're both covered in the same jagged black and white as is seen throughout the place. Pouring them both about three-quarters full, he sets one in front of Amber and then leans on the counter, inhaling the steam rising off his own.] Do you take any cream or sugar?
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( Does this girl need any sugar, Akechi. Does she. But no, Amber's tastes are geared towards dark roasts and bitterness. A stark contrast to her bouncy personality. )
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It's not bad, but I've certainly had better.
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1/..., idk i'll let you know
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okay i'm done.
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