Ugh. That's what I'd been aiming for; dropping by like a normal person.
[Well, more like, pop into the corridor, knock on his door, then teleport away in an effort to prank him out of sheer boredom. Whether it worked or not, well, it was something. He might've gotten an interesting reaction out of it]
The space in this place is messed up. [Demons teleported by folding space over and merely stepping between the now shortened gap, but manipulating Cerealia in that fashion was... disasterous. He sighed, colour beginning to return to his face as the nausea slowly passed, absently patting at his limbs just to make doubly sure they were there] At least I didn't dismember myself this time. That'd been scary...
[ He knows what Kazuya means, however, and his expression relaxes. It occurs to him that the boy who calls him Major Hyou-Kyou might have had mischief in mind when he decided to teleport, but even so... it's the sort of thing a friend might do.
[Kazuya glanced at his arm, rubbing it just above the elbow as a faint grimace crossed his face. Although dismemberment wasn't all that big of a deal amongst demons (bodies were adjustable, and creating or regenerating a whole new limb was, while annoying, not beyond the abilities of even the lowest level demon), Kazuya still thought of things in a very human way, so naturally the memory of finding himself without an arm was... upsetting. And embarrassing. He'd cried a lot when it happened he won't lie, but will always insist that it was manly crying. Yes.]
I messed up a jump really badly at one point. I got to my destination, but I, er, left my arm behind. [he peeled back the hem of his short sleeve, showing the slightly raised red line that circled his bicep, an inch above his elbow] See? Trust me, there's nothing more scary than finding that suddenly gone! I had to send Metatron to go get my arm for me, since I was way too woozy to safely jump back for it. Ugh, I don't even wanna remember it...
[ His eyes widen. Gazing at the red line, he remembers the first time he saw Mio do her partial teleportation. He'd been aghast, and then so relieved when he realized it was her particular power, and that her arms weren't actually detached, that he'd hugged her and... and that probably was the cause of her mad crush on him all these years.
He exhales. ]
"Woozy," huh?
Could have been worse. At least you didn't...
[ There's that certain glint in his eye, which by this time should have started to become familiar. ]
...lose your head.
[ That's right. It's the glint of an imminent pun. ]
[Kazuya simply stared at him, his eyebrow giving a slight twitch. Damn, that was a brilliant pun...]
That was lame. [He was jealous he didn't think of it first!] Here I am telling you something traumatic, and you come out with that. Where's the sympathy in this world?
[Kazuya let out a dramatic huff, throwing his arms up in the air - before lowering them with a smile that can be called sly]
I think you owe me some food for that level of callousness.
[It actually worked? Hah, well, getting stuck in the ceiling was worth this trip after all!
Kazuya's sly grin became pleased, and he promptly lurched forwards, sprawling himself on his stomach on Hyoubu's floor (what a nice carpet) like some sort of child. Legs bent, ankles hooked together and feet swaying in the air, he called out in his most cheerful voice;]
[What a jerk! And here he thought he was getting a freebie. Sniffing in disappointment Kazuya obediently picked up the onion and dragged his feet towards the kitchen, a low, near inaudible noise rumbling in the back off his throat]
[ Hyoubu’s used to dealing with whiny teenagers, probably because he is one if there are any actual adults around. However, he defaults to old man mode when he's the relative grownup, and so he's in the kitchen pulling out ingredients from the refrigerator. Because this is an old man who gives out cod liver oil drops on White Day, most of those ingredients look suspiciously healthy: mostly vegetables, and also rice. There are also a few strips of what might be bacon. ]
Okonomiyaki
[ Japanese pancake, albeit savory. ]
Chop that.
[ That being the onion. He hands Kazuya a large knife. ]
[What a disappointment! Here Kazuya got all hyped for a cake full of unhealthy sugaryness, and he gets okonomiyaki instead. Not that he had anything against okonomiyaki, but when one anticipates cake, well...]
Er... [Kazuya stared at the knife that was now in his hand, and then at the onion that was in the other, looking flummoxed] Cut this? But...
[Onions were the vegetables of the demon world! They made your eyes sting and they had a horrible smell too! He pursed his lips, stopping himself from letting out the childish whines that wanted to escape, and moved to the counter where the chopping board was located whilst oozing sulkiness. The shit he went through for food, man]
This isn't how I envisioned my visit, being forced to slave in a kitchen.
[Dramatic as always, Kazuya. He chopped the onions with rough aggression, somehow managing not to slice his fingers off despite the careless way he was handling the knife. Within the first two chops, he could already feel the stinging start to attack his eyes. Stupid onion. The next chop left a shallow, yet noticable groove in the chopping block, having forced the knife a little too hard that time. He winced. Oops. Strength, watch your strength.]
[Kazuya relaxed when he wasn't berated for damaging the chopping board, and squinted at the uneven, messy blocks of onion he'd already made. Smaller? Very fine? He wasn't an expert chef here! Trying to make them all thin was just asking him to cut his fingers off, or something equally inconvenient]
I'm gonna chop my fingers off, just watch. [Despite his complaining, he did as he was told, the aggressive movements of his wrist becoming more careful and calculated. His demonic reflexes were on edge, ready to jerk his fingers away from the edge of the knife if it slipped on the onion blocks, a low hum thrumming in the back of his throat from concentration] Shit, this will be easier with my claws...
[ Hyoubu has made a career of finding kids with powers and helping them feel okay about them. The oddest powers are worthy of praise, and even the quirkiest of personalities is tolerated, because all espers are family.
So when he hears Kazuya mention "claws," his ears perk up. ]
Claws?
Sure. However you want to do it, it's fine with me.
[Hm, well, far be it from him to look a gift horse in the mouth. Most people tended to get rather uncomfortable when he demonstrated qualities that were rather inhuman, despite being forewarned about his actual species. Man, this was why he liked Major Hyou-Kyou, weird fetishes aside. He just took everything in stride.
He set the knife down, and, before Hyoubu could change his mind, gave his hand a little flick. In an instant, his fingers were claws, as if they had always been as such, the surface a deep black and smooth right up to the knuckles. He flexed his claws, the digits bending as easily as normal fingers despite the fact that they lacked any proper joints (demons never obeyed the laws of biology or physics), and then wriggled them, testing to see if he did the minor shapeshifting well enough]
There we go. [He picked up the remaining pieces of onion with his clawed hand - and clenched. Thin slivers of onion dropped onto the chopping board, the claws having sliced through as easily as a hot knife through butter] Much easier.
[ The transformation is fascinating and he watches it closely. So too does he notice the change in Kazuya's demeanor: from sulky to pleased. Well, that's hardly a surprise. People are always happiest when they feel that they can truly be themselves, without censure or judgement. ]
Ha! That's excellent!
[ He's always lavish in his praise, when a child shows him their powers for the first time. ]
I've seen advertisements for mechanical onion choppers, but you'd put them all to shame. Toss that in.
[ With a nod, he indicates the bowl in which he has whipped together water and flour, and is presently mixing in a couple of eggs. ]
[Kazuya was certainly pleased at the praise - he didn't even bother to hide it, preening to himself as he dutifully scraped the chopped bits of onion into the indicated bowl with the back of his claws. They were pretty cool - they could cut through anything ranging from food to solid metal! Of course, he had to be careful with them, but it meant he never had to get up and search for scissors or knives when the need arose]
They're pretty great, yeah. [he lowered the chopping board once all the onion pieces were scraped into the bowl, and he inspected his claws absently, rubbing the thumb-claw over his index one, drawing a soft noise that sounded similar to knives scraping against each other. He remembered something suddenly - and he frowned] Dangerous too.
[ Kazuya's preening is sunshine to Hyoubu, warming and brightening even the dark parts of his soul. But that tell-tale frown is like a cloud. Dangerous. It's how Normals make espers feel about their powers. Anything different is something to be feared.
He ruffles Kazuya's hair. ]
Anything can be "dangerous." That knife you were using, for instance.
[Kazuya scowled at the hair ruffle, swatting at Hyoubu's hands with his claws without really thinking about it. Thankfully, he realised what he was doing and hurriedly retracted his hand, ducking away instead and giving a loud, imperious sniff]
That's different and you know it. [He briefly stuck out his tongue - because he was just so mature - and flicked his hand once more. Claws were now fingers, and he gave them a small flex to make sure everything was as it should be. His joints popped audibly]
It isn't. You can accidentally — or purposefully — use a knife to hurt yourself or someone else. But a knife is a perfectly safe and useful kitchen tool, if you're experienced using one. Psychic powers are much the same. The key isn't to hide your powers or stop using them because you're afraid of them, but rather to use them more. That way, you understand them and learn to control them.
[ As he speaks, he's mixing in the onion, and his chopped cabbage, just enough to combine everything. He turns to the stove. It is, like everything else in the apartment, quietly luxurious: a solid, smooth slab of obsidian, that heats instantly to any desired temperature. He flicks it on and then dumps the whole mixture onto the stovetop surface, and forms it into two flat cakes. ]
Not using them — that's a recipe for losing control. And then you're even more afraid, and the vicious cycle continues.
[Kazuya didn't reply. He looked at Hyoubu, expression blank, before he dropped his gaze to the chopping board, idly tracing the shallow groove on it with the tip of his finger]
It's considered a sin, you know. [There was an odd smile on his face] To be like that, to have power beyond normal, mortal means. Back home, the angels came down and demanded people with those powers to surrender before the salvation of God - or, in layman's turn, get the shit murdered out of them until they were nothing but ash.
[Of course, Demon Tamers were a little different from Espers, but it was all the same, really. They had a power that people feared and thought were abominable, and it didn't help that quite a few of them went nuts with their newfound power and terrorised people. The 'salvation' the angels offered to those who refused to give up their power was, of course, death. Total vaporisation, in fact. Kazuya had felt sick when they ordered him to do the same - to be the cleansing force that judged humanity and left only the good little meek sheep behind.
He refused, obviously, but...]
It's all well and good saying to embrace it, but sometimes it's better to be careful. There are stronger things out there that hate... competitors. [he looked at Hyoubu again] I'm only allowed to exist because I'm a very useful tool, but even then I can't be too dangerous, y'know. Anyway. [his tone became brisk] What about these pancakes? C'mon, I'm hungry.
[ "Stronger things out there that hate competitiors." His expression darkens as he thinks of Black Phantom, an entity which would dearly love to crush or enslave all competition. ]
Sounds like your angels... need a Black Fallen Angel to set things straight for them.
[ He had been laying strips of bacon across the top of the pancakes. The mixture sizzles against the smooth black cooktop, and the air is beginning to fill with all sorts of delicious aromas. ]
[Kazuya went to get the plates, acting as if he hadn't just confessed to his world suffering from divine judgement. He grabbed four, because he was a growing boy and of course he expected three platefuls of pancakes, and set them neatly on the counter, paying extreme attention to make sure they were perfectly aligned, right down to the last millimetre]
A black fallen angel? [he finally spoke, the corner of his mouth tilted up, though whether it was in a grimace or a smile, it was difficult to tell] That sounds ridiculously dramatic, Major Hyou-Kyou. Can you even imagine? A black fallen angel, rising from the earth, ready to put God back in his place... hah! That's something for a film, or in one of the angel's horror stories on what would happen if you sin.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Well, more like, pop into the corridor, knock on his door, then teleport away in an effort to prank him out of sheer boredom. Whether it worked or not, well, it was something. He might've gotten an interesting reaction out of it]
The space in this place is messed up. [Demons teleported by folding space over and merely stepping between the now shortened gap, but manipulating Cerealia in that fashion was... disasterous. He sighed, colour beginning to return to his face as the nausea slowly passed, absently patting at his limbs just to make doubly sure they were there] At least I didn't dismember myself this time. That'd been scary...
1/2
2/3 actually
... ]
no subject
Eh? "This time"?
no subject
[Kazuya glanced at his arm, rubbing it just above the elbow as a faint grimace crossed his face. Although dismemberment wasn't all that big of a deal amongst demons (bodies were adjustable, and creating or regenerating a whole new limb was, while annoying, not beyond the abilities of even the lowest level demon), Kazuya still thought of things in a very human way, so naturally the memory of finding himself without an arm was... upsetting. And embarrassing. He'd cried a lot when it happened he won't lie, but will always insist that it was manly crying. Yes.]
I messed up a jump really badly at one point. I got to my destination, but I, er, left my arm behind. [he peeled back the hem of his short sleeve, showing the slightly raised red line that circled his bicep, an inch above his elbow] See? Trust me, there's nothing more scary than finding that suddenly gone! I had to send Metatron to go get my arm for me, since I was way too woozy to safely jump back for it. Ugh, I don't even wanna remember it...
no subject
He exhales. ]
"Woozy," huh?
Could have been worse. At least you didn't...
[ There's that certain glint in his eye, which by this time should have started to become familiar. ]
...lose your head.
[ That's right. It's the glint of an imminent pun. ]
no subject
That was lame. [He was jealous he didn't think of it first!] Here I am telling you something traumatic, and you come out with that. Where's the sympathy in this world?
[Kazuya let out a dramatic huff, throwing his arms up in the air - before lowering them with a smile that can be called sly]
I think you owe me some food for that level of callousness.
no subject
Is that so?
[ He'd been crouching down next to Kazuya, but now he rolls back on his heels and stands, starting to drift off towards the kitchen. ]
What would you like?
no subject
Kazuya's sly grin became pleased, and he promptly lurched forwards, sprawling himself on his stomach on Hyoubu's floor (what a nice carpet) like some sort of child. Legs bent, ankles hooked together and feet swaying in the air, he called out in his most cheerful voice;]
Something sweet and big! Like a big ol' cake!
no subject
You're going to have to help cook, if you want to eat. Get in here.
[ An onion materializes a foot above Kazuya's head, at which point, gravity takes over. ]
And bring that with you.
no subject
[What a jerk! And here he thought he was getting a freebie. Sniffing in disappointment Kazuya obediently picked up the onion and dragged his feet towards the kitchen, a low, near inaudible noise rumbling in the back off his throat]
What type of cake has an onion in it... hmph...
no subject
Okonomiyaki
[ Japanese pancake, albeit savory. ]
Chop that.
[ That being the onion. He hands Kazuya a large knife. ]
no subject
Er... [Kazuya stared at the knife that was now in his hand, and then at the onion that was in the other, looking flummoxed] Cut this? But...
[Onions were the vegetables of the demon world! They made your eyes sting and they had a horrible smell too! He pursed his lips, stopping himself from letting out the childish whines that wanted to escape, and moved to the counter where the chopping board was located whilst oozing sulkiness. The shit he went through for food, man]
This isn't how I envisioned my visit, being forced to slave in a kitchen.
[Dramatic as always, Kazuya. He chopped the onions with rough aggression, somehow managing not to slice his fingers off despite the careless way he was handling the knife. Within the first two chops, he could already feel the stinging start to attack his eyes. Stupid onion. The next chop left a shallow, yet noticable groove in the chopping block, having forced the knife a little too hard that time. He winced. Oops. Strength, watch your strength.]
no subject
That'll teach you to drop in without warning.
[ He glances over and notices the groove in the cutting board, but doesn't comment on it, simply adding instead: ]
You'll need to cut those pieces smaller. Very fine.
no subject
I'm gonna chop my fingers off, just watch. [Despite his complaining, he did as he was told, the aggressive movements of his wrist becoming more careful and calculated. His demonic reflexes were on edge, ready to jerk his fingers away from the edge of the knife if it slipped on the onion blocks, a low hum thrumming in the back of his throat from concentration] Shit, this will be easier with my claws...
no subject
So when he hears Kazuya mention "claws," his ears perk up. ]
Claws?
Sure. However you want to do it, it's fine with me.
no subject
[Hm, well, far be it from him to look a gift horse in the mouth. Most people tended to get rather uncomfortable when he demonstrated qualities that were rather inhuman, despite being forewarned about his actual species. Man, this was why he liked Major Hyou-Kyou, weird fetishes aside. He just took everything in stride.
He set the knife down, and, before Hyoubu could change his mind, gave his hand a little flick. In an instant, his fingers were claws, as if they had always been as such, the surface a deep black and smooth right up to the knuckles. He flexed his claws, the digits bending as easily as normal fingers despite the fact that they lacked any proper joints (demons never obeyed the laws of biology or physics), and then wriggled them, testing to see if he did the minor shapeshifting well enough]
There we go. [He picked up the remaining pieces of onion with his clawed hand - and clenched. Thin slivers of onion dropped onto the chopping board, the claws having sliced through as easily as a hot knife through butter] Much easier.
no subject
Ha! That's excellent!
[ He's always lavish in his praise, when a child shows him their powers for the first time. ]
I've seen advertisements for mechanical onion choppers, but you'd put them all to shame. Toss that in.
[ With a nod, he indicates the bowl in which he has whipped together water and flour, and is presently mixing in a couple of eggs. ]
no subject
They're pretty great, yeah. [he lowered the chopping board once all the onion pieces were scraped into the bowl, and he inspected his claws absently, rubbing the thumb-claw over his index one, drawing a soft noise that sounded similar to knives scraping against each other. He remembered something suddenly - and he frowned] Dangerous too.
no subject
He ruffles Kazuya's hair. ]
Anything can be "dangerous." That knife you were using, for instance.
no subject
That's different and you know it. [He briefly stuck out his tongue - because he was just so mature - and flicked his hand once more. Claws were now fingers, and he gave them a small flex to make sure everything was as it should be. His joints popped audibly]
no subject
[ As he speaks, he's mixing in the onion, and his chopped cabbage, just enough to combine everything. He turns to the stove. It is, like everything else in the apartment, quietly luxurious: a solid, smooth slab of obsidian, that heats instantly to any desired temperature. He flicks it on and then dumps the whole mixture onto the stovetop surface, and forms it into two flat cakes. ]
Not using them — that's a recipe for losing control. And then you're even more afraid, and the vicious cycle continues.
no subject
It's considered a sin, you know. [There was an odd smile on his face] To be like that, to have power beyond normal, mortal means. Back home, the angels came down and demanded people with those powers to surrender before the salvation of God - or, in layman's turn, get the shit murdered out of them until they were nothing but ash.
[Of course, Demon Tamers were a little different from Espers, but it was all the same, really. They had a power that people feared and thought were abominable, and it didn't help that quite a few of them went nuts with their newfound power and terrorised people. The 'salvation' the angels offered to those who refused to give up their power was, of course, death. Total vaporisation, in fact. Kazuya had felt sick when they ordered him to do the same - to be the cleansing force that judged humanity and left only the good little meek sheep behind.
He refused, obviously, but...]
It's all well and good saying to embrace it, but sometimes it's better to be careful. There are stronger things out there that hate... competitors. [he looked at Hyoubu again] I'm only allowed to exist because I'm a very useful tool, but even then I can't be too dangerous, y'know. Anyway. [his tone became brisk] What about these pancakes? C'mon, I'm hungry.
no subject
Sounds like your angels... need a Black Fallen Angel to set things straight for them.
[ He had been laying strips of bacon across the top of the pancakes. The mixture sizzles against the smooth black cooktop, and the air is beginning to fill with all sorts of delicious aromas. ]
Go and get a couple of plates.
no subject
[Kazuya went to get the plates, acting as if he hadn't just confessed to his world suffering from divine judgement. He grabbed four, because he was a growing boy and of course he expected three platefuls of pancakes, and set them neatly on the counter, paying extreme attention to make sure they were perfectly aligned, right down to the last millimetre]
A black fallen angel? [he finally spoke, the corner of his mouth tilted up, though whether it was in a grimace or a smile, it was difficult to tell] That sounds ridiculously dramatic, Major Hyou-Kyou. Can you even imagine? A black fallen angel, rising from the earth, ready to put God back in his place... hah! That's something for a film, or in one of the angel's horror stories on what would happen if you sin.