Post #2477296 in Vampire Knight: The Revelation, a roleplay on RPG

Tatsuhiko made his way up the dormitory steps with perhaps a little less fluid grace than usual. Not because he was injured—a pack of werewolves was hardly enough to accomplish that—but simply because he was tired. The last few weeks had seen him out of school more often than in class, and in truth, he’d been running multiple assassinations a night, usually. It had been something of a relief to have to put down rabid dogs instead of people who were more or less minding their own business. That was the trouble with hunter werewolves—they often simply could not control themselves, and lost the ability to shift back, becoming feral and haunting forests and cities alike. The Council preferred that this not become public knowledge, and so he was the one dispatched to deal with it. If they’d wanted a spectacle, they’d have sent Tora instead.

He hadn’t slept in a week, and though he did not allow it to show in his face, save for the darkened shadows under his indigo eyes, he was feeling it, to a certain extent. The sound of soft footsteps and a somewhat-familiar scent reached him at the same time, and he was raising his eyes to greet Reiko Akarui when a small sound of surprise and a scuff both sounded into the quiet, and the selfsame girl came tumbling headfirst down the stairs, eyes wide, but honestly not otherwise appearing all that astonished by her predicament. Indeed, she watched them close afterwards, and her hands reflexively came up to shield her face.

It would have been a rather simple matter for Tatsu to make himself intangible, and she would have passed right through him. He had the reflexes to manage it in the small window of time available, but he did not. Instead, he caught the girl, wrapping his arms around the middle of her back as a matter of necessity—it would do little good to catch her only to let her fall again. Only her momentum was rater than he had expected, and one of his feet slid off the stair he was balanced lightly on, and then they were both falling. Tatsuhiko tucked her head carefully into his shoulder, inclining his own down until his chin met his sternum. That saved both of them from the worst of it, and Tatsu took the impact on his shoulders and back, keeping himself between Reiko and the floor.

When at last they skidded to a stop on the landing, Tatsu noted that one of his ribs had broken with a wet snap, but this was a minor concern at best, considering it was already healing. Once assured that they were in fact both more-or-less fine, he immediately relinquished his hold on the girl, who looked caught between flustered and ashamed for some reason. Her face was red, and he supposed he could understand why—he wasn’t really used to touching people, either, and was fairly certain that he would also be pink if he were not in such control of his emotional expressions. “Are you well, Miss Reiko?” he asked, and that seemed to trigger a reaction, because she immediately scrambled off his person, leaning down only to offer a hand up. He took it, though it wasn’t entirely necessary to do so, rolling his shoulders and folding his hands into his sleeves immediately afterwards.

“Y-yes, thank you,” she said, smiling sheepishly. “I’m very sorry, Tatsuhiko; I’m afraid this sort of thing happens to me all the time.”

Hikari wandered aimlessly through the campus. She dusted off the few pieces of dirt that still clung to her. She and Naya had been at it all morning, showcasing who the better swordsman was, however; as it always was, it ended in a draw. Naya, though, was older than Hikari, and had more experience at it, and that thought alone caused Hikari to grin. If she could keep up with Naya, then she was progressing rather nicely. Though, most of her skill came from her father's teachings, she was still trying to improve. She tilted her head to the side, listening as her neck popped back into place before rolling her shoulders out. After the sword fight, both of them enlisted into a fist fight, all because of something one of them said, she couldn't really remember. She was certain Naya had broken one of her wrists since it still ached a bit.

She, however, was also certain that she gave Naya a bruise somewhere, but being what they were, it was hard to tell. She was snapped out of her thoughts, pausing moments before something fell from the stair steps that led to the dormitory. She blinked a few times, staring a head of herself before glancing at the stair case, and then towards the floor. She watched the scene unfold, watching as Reiko stumbled backwards and offered a hand to help Tatsuhiko up. Still blinking owlishly, Hikari felt her hand cover her mouth, her attempts at stopping the giggles from escaping, however; it was useless. She let out a laugh, clutching her sides as she doubled over slightly, trying to contain herself. Once she settled down her laughter, she wiped at her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Are you alright, Reiko, Tatsu?" she finally managed to speak, still trying to contain her laughter. She hadn't meant to laugh at her cousin, nor Tatsuhiko, but the situation was just a typical thing to happen to her cousin. It was well known that Reiko was not the most graceful of the family, however; it was to be expected by now. Not that Hikari ever found pleasure in her cousin's misfortune. "And I am afraid Rei-Rei is correct, this happens to her all the time," she continued as she shrugged her shoulders. "But still, are you alright?" she added, glancing between the two of them.

Reiko was surprisingly good at reading people, and she could tell that Tatsuhiko was not exactly comfortable with the situation, less so when Hikari rounded the corner, but she could not divine the exact reason why. Perhaps it was something as mundane as being a little embarrassed at being witnessed falling. If so, it didn’t make a lot of sense—the man was positively catlike in his grace and reflexes, she could tell from how quickly he’d reacted. Surely, he could have moved out of the way in time if that was his primary concern? Well, whatever the case, it probably wasn’t any of her business. “I’m fine, thank you Kari,” she said, taking absolutely no offense at her cousin’s ill-disguised laughter. She was used to being the butt of jokes in this sense, and she didn’t really mind. Reiko was fortunate enough to be even more durable than the average pureblood, and so her accidents hardly ever did her much damage at all. She could be thrown into a wall by a catapult and not flinch. The fact that she knew this was something she attributed to one of Naya’s wilder schemes.

She dusted off her dress, noting that Tatsuhiko seemed to have accumulated some dust on his back and shoulders, but he seemed either unaware or unconcerned. “Thank you for your kindness, Tatsuhiko; it means a lot.” she gave him a winning smile, which if anything seemed to increase rather than assuage his discomfort, and he shook his head, which caused the tie binding his hair in its loose tail to finish falling out. He caught the object on its way down, tucking it away into a sleeve, content apparently to shake out his deep violet locks and leave them loose for the moment.

“It is nothing, Miss Reiko” he said dismissively, flickering his glance between the two women.

Kiko snorted, a somewhat unladylike sound that conveyed her feelings quite well. “Just Kiko, thanks. And it’s not nothing, not to me. I should thank you somehow… I know! I was just going to make a hotpot. Do you want to come? Kari-chan’s a really good cook, she can help me make it this time!” Kiko was not bad at cooking at all, but she was not the expert Kari-chan was, considering that she did not have to eat—she just enjoyed doing so. She presumed that Tatsuhiko was a pureblood like her, since he didn’t have the slight tint of human-smell like nobles did, so she wasn’t even sure he liked eating, but she felt she had to offer. If she was at all concerned about the fact that she’d just volunteered her cousin for something without asking, she didn’t show it.

He, however, was a bit more conscientious, his manners only slightly hindered by the fact that he was, actually, starving. He’d been planning on handling it with some blood tablets, as unlike Tora he was not much for the practice of taking lovers, nor feeding from them. He also had no food with which to make himself a meal, and the cafeterias were long closed. “If… if this is Hikari’s wish as well, I suppose it would be rude of me to decline,” he said neutrally, offering the other woman the opportunity to back out gracefully if she had something else to do.

"Wait, what? What are you cooking now?" Hikari stated, slightly caught off guard by her cousin's sudden statement, volunteering herself to help make a meal. Well, she really wasn't doing anything, and if anything, she was a little hungry herself, however; if she did cook, she'd probably end up cooking more than what was needed. Her family, after all, had a very large appetite, especially Ryoku who could eat at least five elephants and still manage to be hungry. She contemplated the thought for a moment, her eyes flickering to Tatsuhiko and absentmindedly dusted the dust from his clothing. She put a hand under chin in the process before grinning brightly at her cousin.

"Well, you are in luck. I am not doing anything in particular, and I am a bit hungry myself. Practice sessions with Nana are always a bit, ah, intense, so to the kitchen!" she stated. She then tapped her chin in a thoughtful manner before turning back to Reiko. "We are not going to make a simple hotpot, not if I have anything to say about it!" she spoke, removing her hand and lacing it with Reiko's. She smiled brightly at her cousin. She'd never admit to it out loud, but she did enjoy cooking. She enjoyed doing it because it was something she was actually good at. Plus, she enjoyed doing it for her family as well.

"Is there anything in particular you are feeling today? Whatever you wish, Kiko and I can make it," she questioned, turning her attention to Tatsuhiko. She could cook just about anything really, given the diverse palates her family had. Some of them preferred soups, sweets, salts, really just about anything. And it was because of them, she could cook just about anything. Reiko was no exception, that much she knew. Farah, Reiko, and herself were pretty much the cooks to the Minamoto and Akarui family, besides her mother of course, however; it was usually left to the three of them. Eien would help out occasionally, but his skills were nothing compared to his cousin and sister.

Tatsuhiko blinked. He had really not been expecting this level of energy from either of them, but it seemed that they were vibrant, kind people. He could see where Farah’s affection for them stemmed. The assassin had to fight not to stiffen when Hikari brushed off his shoulders, but at least he’d seen her coming. His reflexes might have proved to be more harmful then beneficial otherwise, and he didn’t want that. He kept his head turned slightly in the opposite direction until she was finished, murmuring a quiet thank you and clearing his throat a tad awkwardly. That close, it was hard not to notice somebody’s smell, and hers was quite… unique.

He was rather certain that he did not deserve the consideration he was being shown, but the least he could do was not bother them about it. They had clearly decided to do something—it fell upon him to show the proper appreciation and gratitude. “I am not particular about food,” he admitted, which was true. Tatsu could eat basically anything and enjoy it at least to some extent, an ability he had acquired in his childhood, when he was fed things that most would find unpalatable. They’d been nutritious, of course, but… the scientists who’d raised him had not much cared for taste. “Though… I do enjoy tea, when it is available.” He didn’t know if they were planning on making any or not, but… actually. “If the two of you are cooking, I can be accountable for at least this much, if it would be to your liking.”

He had such a formal way of speaking! Reiko almost giggled, but managed to constrain the mirth into a bright smile and an enthusiastic nod. “That sounds like a great idea. We’ll make whatever Kari-chan wants to cook, and you can make the tea!” Leading the way to the kitchen, her cousin’s arm looped in hers, Kiko hopped in place excitedly when they arrived, pulling utensils and ingredients for Kari’s chosen meal from cupboards and the refrigerator, humming to herself as she went. Tatsu, slightly wary of getting in the way, smoothly grabbed the kettle, filling it with water and setting it to boil on the range before choosing the far wall to lean against. He didn’t wish to be a nuisance, after all.

Hikari shook her head softly. They would learn not to leave the decision of food up to her. She followed Reiko to the kitchen, their arms still looped together before dislodging herself from her cousin. She immediately began work on the ingredients laid out for her, grabbing one of the fish and slicing it thinly before setting it into the pans. She worked, next, on stirring together the eggs and batter for the omelette she was preparing, dicing the cooked fish inside of it before pulling it from the stove and began work on the next item. She grabbed some extra rice, frying it before grabbing a few pieces of shrimp and throwing them into the mix.

By the time she was finished, Hikari set before her cousin and Tatsuhiko, an assortment of food, ranging from curry, to omelettes, to various sushi, and lastly, to something simple as an onigiri. Smiling, she nodded her head in satisfaction. It, perhaps, was not as much as she thought she was going to make, however; it was still plenty for the three of them, and still have left overs. Though, if she knew her brother, the moment Ryoku caught the scent, he would be here within mere seconds. Luckily, he was nowhere near, and the three could eat in relative peace.

"A la carte Hikari! My specialty," she spoke, grinning all the same as she placed plates around on the table. "If you guys are still hungry after this, I wouldn't be surprised really, there is a cake in the oven as well," she spoke, turning towards said oven. It was the last thing she did, and would be cooking while they ate. It was just something she wanted to do for dessert, though she had contemplated making the cake, or baking a cheesecake, however; the cheesecake would take far longer, and they only wanted something simple, or at least that is what she thought. Regardless, she shrugged her shoulders before sitting down at the table.

"I hope you enjoy!" she stated, breaking a part her chopsticks before placing food upon her plate. She really did go a bit overboard, but it wasn't like she cared much to begin with. The food wouldn't go to waste one way or another.

They were really something else. Tatsu wasn’t a horrible cook, by any means, but he tended not to make such a wide variety of things, and he’d be surprised if he had half as much natural aptitude for it as they did, especially Hikari. Kiko assisted where pertinent, allowing her cousin to make even more things at once, while the male in the room mostly just steeped his tea. This was something he did very well, however, and based on the assortment of scents his nose was informing him of, he selected a light jasmine to brew, and was pouring the cups of it just as the last of the dishes came to rest on the table. He could smell the cake, too, though he wasn’t exactly sure how he was ever going to get through even as much food as was presently before him.

Reading the speculative hint on his face with some accuracy, Reiko laughed. “She says that because her brother Ryoku eats like he’s never seen food before. You don’t have to feel obligated to finish everything if you don’t want.” He nodded, his facial expression softening.

“Ryoku… he is one of my brother’s friends.”

Kiko nodded, smiling brightly. “That’s the one.” Both of them broke their chopsticks apart, said their thanks, and tucked in. From the way Tatsuhiko stopped after the first bite, staring at his bowl as though confused, she deduced that he must not have had anything like this before. It was hard to tell if his surprise was good or bad, but that much became evident enough when he spoke, very seriously, to Hikari, his eye contact unwavering and the slightest bit too intense for the situation. Perhaps he did not know how to be otherwise.

“I do not claim to know your ambitions in life, Hikari, but if ever you wished to become a chef, I believe you would be an extraordinary one.” The words were obviously sincere, delivered with a soft tone that was nevertheless quite certain, and Kiko sighed lightly. How sweet; it was like something the mysterious lord would say to the heroine of one of her fairytale books, really, or at least that’s how she imagined the tone must be like. Of course, this was hardly like that, but even so, sincere, meaningful compliments like that were rare in her life, where people more often than not teased each other or else were blunt or sarcastic more than anything. It wasn’t hard to see why Farah sought Tatsuhiko’s company so often—she hadn’t felt this at ease in a while, even if he was a smidge awkward. She was, too, so she didn’t mind.

Reiko sipped her tea, her eyes lighting up with delight. “This tea’s really good, too, Tatsu!” His eyes flickered to her, breaking their oddly-long contact with Kari’s and he inclined his head in thanks for the compliment. She smiled, and the stiffness in his shoulders eased slightly. She doubted he ever smiled himself, but the fact that he was enjoying himself was rather apparent in other, smaller ways.

Somehow, they did manage to make it through the food; Tatsu had apparently been hungrier than he’d initially suspected. He found the atmosphere very pleasant, actually, though for the most part, he’s simply listened to the two cousins talk to one another. Now, though, Reiko was saying something about cake, and he found himself a bit curious. If the dessert was half as good as the dinner, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to eat the items the scientists gave him anymore. That… might not be the best plan, but all the same, he did not refuse when Kiko asked if he had room for some.

Hikari blinked owlishly at Tatsuhiko, his words barely registering in her mind as she continued to keep their gazes locked. She'd make an extraordinary chef? She never gave much thought about what she wanted to do with her life before. She had all the time in the world, as far as she knew, and there were perhaps a plethora of things she could do, however; with the war going on, and her family not taking a stand against it, she wasn't entirely sure where or what she'd be doing in the near future. The statement, however, managed to bring out a bright smile upon her face as she grinned at Tatsuhiko, her face dusting a light pink in the process. She was used to praise, but it usually came from her family. Hearing it from someone who wasn't, was a bit pleasant.

"I'll have to keep that in mind then. I do not know exactly what I plan on doing with my life, but I shall take that into consideration. Thank you, Tatsu," she stated, the grin never faltering from her face. "I have to agree, this tea is really good," she added to Reiko's earlier comment. It was rather true, the tea he had brewed was really good. That, or she hadn't drank enough to know what great tea tasted like, but if she had to guess, it would be something like this. She fell into a conversation with Reiko, occasionally directing a question or statement towards Tatsuhiko before Reiko mentioned cake. She glanced around, noting that most of the food was gone and chuckled lightly to herself. Standing from her chair, she left to grab the cake from the counter and set it down in front of the two others.

"It's probably not as good as Mama Rei-Rei's, but there it is all the same. Cakes are not really my specialty," she stated, which was somewhat true. Cooking she was great at, baking she was good at. She could never get some recipe's right, and ended up making things too sugary, or didn't put enough sugar in them. She laughed nervously to herself at that thought. She should, perhaps bake more often. She certainly had the time to do so.

It might have been true that Kari’s baking was not up to quite the same standard as her cooking, but if so, Tatsuhiko barely noticed the difference. He’d never tasted a dessert this good in his entire century of life. When the three of them were finished, he offered to do the dishes after refreshing the tea so that the women could sit and digest for a bit. When he was done, he returned to stand in front of the table, bowing politely. “You have my thanks,” he said to both of them. “Truly, I have never partaken of a meal this good, nor in such pleasant company. I am afraid my brother eats in much the same manner as Hikari’s is described.” there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but also the faintest touch of fatigue. What he really needed right now was to sleep.

“If you will excuse me, however, I will leave you both to the rest of your nights.” With that, he took his leave.

Snippet #2477296

located in Cross Academy, a part of Vampire Knight: The Revelation, one of the many universes on RPG.

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