justonetruth | [An At Home.]

[There was a notice placed on the table of the dining room this morning, a thinly handwritten card announcing in spidery letters that:

Kudo of the 'Neath
a sagacious and perilous gentleman
will be At Home between the hours of 2 and 4 this afternoon
and Most Cordially requests Your Company.

Instructions on how to reach his room follow. If you take him up on his invitation, you'll find him in his room, the wooden floor neatly swept and with a borrowed carpet covering most of the tiny bullet holes. All sorrow spiders have been firmly shown the door, his bookcase dusted, the more shocking volumes put behind the presentable volumes, a couple of armchairs acquired by mysterious means and his bed, made and adorned with cushions as a make-shift sofa. The shelves, mantlepiece, cupboards, indeed, anywhere the light catches seems to be stuffed to the brim with various curiousities -- archaeological finds, letters, amulets, although in expectation of a visit by Kuroba, he has removed the more valuable items.

The hosts grey overcoat and bowler hat are on a hat stand, meaning that without them boosting his Shadowy, their owner is fully visible for once. He is pale and has recently lost weight, but there is a wiriness to him that suggests he is not to be taken lightly. He's kept his Neath glass goggles on -- dull green lenses that boost his ability to see by candlelight despite not needing them in the natural light coming from the window -- he feels naked enough without hat and coat that he's not sure about removing the goggles at all. Currently he is seated in one of the armchairs, fidgeting with his tie as he waits for a crumpet to toast.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I have. [no explanation for his answer. he is also watching as Shinichi toasts crumpets with a fork, eyebrow quirked]

Have you met the electric bread toaster in the kitchen yet?

[Kudo can make his own inferences. Also, since you didn't specify, you're getting butter.]

We have not been formally introduced, but I'm acquainted with the device -- the small rectangular box?

[butter is acceptable]

With slots on the top for sliced bread. It toasts quite evenly.

That's the one. It is a wonder of efficiency. [Here is your crumpet.]

How do you take your tea?

This entire mansion is a wonder of efficiency.

[taking his crumpet] As it is, if you will.

Do you class its geography as efficient then?

[Black tea for Kuroba! This host business really isn't so hard.]

Not the geography, but everything inside. It's merely simple to categorize it all as 'The Mansion.'

[taking his tea happily]

You're enjoying your sojourn then?

So far. It's been... interesting, to say the least.

[sip~]

Any highlights?

[Well, that's another crumpet done. In the absence of other guests, Kudo's keeping this one for himself.]

[a very short pause follows, before he returns to sipping his tea]

A most peculiar Miss Mouri who nearly took off my head when I greeted her as a friend.

[Slighter pause.]

Ah. The ... Oriental Lady Mouri can be ... sensitive.

[eyeing him with a grin]

Indeed. I see you've met her as well.

[Pouring tea for himself with casual aplomb!]

I have indeed.

No elaboration?

Says the gentleman who has played this entire conversation deliberately obtuse. You're as jumpy as you thought there was a Constable eavesdropping.

[Pause.]

Are you worried about my connections? You needn't be. Everyone in the 'Neath has secrets without giving up a friends.

[snort] Your metaphor isn't wholly accurate. I do not get jumpy when I realize the Constables are eavesdropping.

I am also aware of that. I was merely making conversation.

[Kudo took refuge in his tea.]

My apologies.

[How did this always happen? Kuroba had neatly cut short every one of the conversational lines Kudo had thought of and then claimed to be making conversation -- block and parry in one sharp thrust. A master at his art, Kudo thought resigned. If I didn't already know I was an amateur.

He thought wistfully of the University library. At least he knew what he was about there. Still, he'd got himself into this fool endeavour. He had to see it through.]

The weather is pleasant.

[nearly snorts in laughter into his tea, lowering his cup and giving Kudo an amused smile]

Never default to the weather. It's a wholly boring topic.

What is it you need to raise your Persuasive for, Kudo? [though honestly, he thinks he might already know the answer to that]

At least it has variety here.

[So Kuroba's seen through him that easily? Kudo shrugs, helping himself to his buttered crumpet as he drops the pretence.]

When you're losing Persuasive challenges to someone who hasn't been in the 'Neath a week, something has to change.

[Kaito's seen many young entrepreneurs attempt to raise their Persuasive on him before. it's not difficult to see through these attempts anymore]

Perhaps I'm far too advanced a challenge for a beginner.

[sip~] Who is your new charming young friend?

This isn't a Veilgarden acquaintance, Kuroba.

[Pause. How do you explain this?]

Hattori. He has -- potential, I think. But no subtlety.

[a beat as he quirks an eyebrow curiously]

No subtlety and he's still running circles around you? I suppose that is one way to go about it.

Ah. All the blind optimism of a seller of mushroom bouquets and the directness of a brawl in Watchmaker Hill. The sad thing is it seems to work for him.