(sfw) the coffee club

[descendsanathema]

*Kalluto had badly needed a few days out on the open sea, engrossed in the sun and salt, not caring at all about how childishly hackneyed and simplified and bastardised the seamanship itself turned out to be. It was much more like a vacation than a tour of duty, befitting Barbieland. Back in his cabin, he took long, indulgent shower without incident comparable to the last long one, then changed back to his regular kimono.

He'd slept well, and he supposed it might have been early morning as he trawled himself through the airship, inspecting plaques and surroundings of doors to find one that he might like. He stopped at one called The Coffee Club.

He hated the taste of coffee, but he did enjoy the smell. His stomach rumbled. Somehow he'd managed to eat and be sustained by plastic hardtack (like putting a hat on a hat) instead of ruining his guts, but the prospect of further indulging himself in bistro food had him almost diving through the doorway.

He entered the cafe, finding it moderately occupied. There were enough people that he could people watch if he was bored, but there were also spots where he could have space away from the humdrum of conversation. As he considered whether he wanted a table or a booth, a pleasant girl not much older than him greeted him and indicated the six-page menu laminated and mounted on a lectern facing him.

For food, on offer were all day breakfasts, lunch melds and toasted sandwiches, various steak cuts, an assortment of salad types, and every variety of Italian cuisine he could think of. There were two pages of coffee types which he skipped over, and knew immediately that he wanted an iced chocolate when he saw a serving girl bringing out one for a prior customer. It was always good when they used real parfait glasses.

He went to the counter to order, where he found another huge selection of baked goods behind the glass - pies, filo pastries, rolls, cakes, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies and such - as well as cold sandwiches, rolls, and cups of cold dessert.

When he'd made the order, he noticed someone distinctive in the line behind him, with cat ears that reminded him of when he'd first joined.

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[descendsanathema]

*Kalluto was attentive to what Pitou was saying, but he found his thoughts wandering in the same way as when he catches Leorio for a few minutes passing each other in the hallways - what was it, exactly, that put Pitou on this path instead of the one from his time? That one threw herself into the fangs to protect her Master, was always too much of an Ant, not a cat, not a human, to entertain being designated a Magical Beast by humans, much less whatever nonsense the Hunter's Organisation had planned before he and Illumi bailed from the Black Whale.*

I might be interested in a room that outright makes me a cat, feral rather than a mixture... just to try it. But you're right, I'd need people to know it was me. Would need someone keeping me safe...

*And pampered, Kalluto flushed a little on admitting to himself. He smiled.*

I'm feeling chatty right now, which is why I'm here in this cafe, but I believe in general I wouldn't mind not being able to talk. It was not expected of me when I was growing up.

[galacticgroovin]

Really? Your parents didn’t encourage you to express yourself? Pitou paused to finish off her meal, lightly licking the egg yolk and hollandaise from her fork.

Gon is a very expressive boy. Something I imagine his aunt encouraged. The Killua I know never talked about his family. The one I’ve met here only mentions his sister and occasionally mentions an older brother.

She rests her elbow on the table, resting her cheek on her hand. Killua is expressive in his own way. It’s..easier to say I’ve gotten along with the Killua here than from where I am.

Her tail flicked from side to side. But, if you’d like, I can show you. The cat room turned me into a cat once but I think that’s because of my different anatomy. But the other room is less a room than it is a small closet.

[descendsanathema]

*As he listened, Kalluto tucked gracefully into the pastry and salad on the plate which was just dropped at his table. It was interesting how much this Pitou knew about other people here, especially Gon.*

I had quite a lot of that sort of encouragement. Speech would not be my favourite, where fashion is.

Thank you, but I think I'm acquainted with that room. And you're right, it barely turned me quarter of the way, let alone half-cat.

[galacticgroovin]

Pitou nodded in understanding. Well, perhaps you may enjoy being a feline more. If you do, you should come to my room. You’ll learn a proper cat experience.

She giggled, purring at the prospect of having another like her in some way. She supposed Alluka is like that, but after the last incident, she chose distance.

But let’s see, that was only one of the experiences here. Would you care to know about the other as well?

[descendsanathema]

Kalluto hummed. That might be nice... but could I bring someone with me?

First, though, yes, I'd love to know the other time the airship messed with you in an odd way. It still feels like I only just got here, so I want to know what to expect.

[galacticgroovin]

Bring someone with you? I don’t see why not. Though, could be hard to guess who they are if you both arrived at my door as cats.

Pitou smiled, settling into her seat with drink in hand. She took a breath thinking back to the sauna. The smile fading from her face. Well, this room wasn’t pleasant like I had mentioned.

It’s a big sauna. Well you enter into a very clean looking lobby. The moment I entered my clothes were gone and replaced by a bathrobe. I went to the sauna in the center and opened the door to find Killua.

It was…awkward to say the least. Very tense between us. Then there was a blinding light! I found myself somewhere else entirely.

She pauses to sip at her drink.

[descendsanathema]

Kalluto must have missed something while daydreaming. He'd need to ask Pitou later how exactly, and which room, might make him a cat proper. He listened to her describe the next room.

It teleported you? Maybe the room picked up on animosity between you and my brother.

There were myriad reasons why the two would not see eye to eye, but he was a little intrigued because any experience Killua had had would have been on the airship, exclusively with this Pitou. Should he pry?

[galacticgroovin]

Well..teleportation isn’t fully accurate. But I’ll explain that as I get to it. Pitou set down her cup, having finished off her drink.

This place could only be described as a hellscape. It was dark and everything was covered in a disgusting green slime. She sneered at the memory, her tail bristling. I was covered in it. I felt I was overcome with rage and my instincts.

I thought it was some kind of attack from Killua. To keep me away from Gon. She clears her throat. So I ran trying to find him. All I wanted..all I could feel..was the desire to make his life end at my claws.

She lifts her hand, showing her claws to make her point. Fortunately it didn’t come to that.

We came to discover that it wasn’t an attack from the other and we weren’t covered in that slime. We WERE that slime.

[descendsanathema]

You were the slime? So it brought out your worst traits?

There was no way that Killua could have an attack like that, but Kalluto supposed that Pitou would not know this. It wasn't his place to point this out, he decided, not wanting to steer the conversation in that direction at all.

[galacticgroovin]

You got it almost just about on the head. Pitou nods slightly.

We were toxins. Could feel no pain. I cut off my own finger and it just grew back. But we were what we considered our worst traits. All of my hatred and animal instincts all rolled up into one.

I wanted to kill him. At this time Gon..Gon had recently broken away from me. I blamed Killua. When I realized I couldn’t do that in there, we came to a..agreement. We learned more about each other.

In the sauna we both still sat. I felt different but didn’t realize it. I had forgotten about Gon. All my hatred and more was gone. I felt free.

What is still somewhat confusing is I remember the experience simultaneously. Conversation in the slime and in the sauna itself. As we tried to find our way out, our bodies were trying to find a way to recover their toxic emotions.

Do I feel better about recombining? I can’t say for certain. It’s arguably better than being stuck in that machine.

Never. Ever. Go there. If you leave without trying to recover yourself, you won’t be yourself. She emphasizes the seriousness of the room.

[descendsanathema]

*Kalluto could barely hide his retching as Pitou described being constituted of sentient toxins, and with the assistance of his hand over his mouth, he betrayed no reaction to learning of Pitou's past relationship.

His thoughts careened. He'd need to process that later. This airship's Gon was not who Kalluto thought he was.*

Regardless of whether it was right to keep your toxic side. You know, then, that holding on to him is not good for you.

*Kalluto had not seen him since that buffet breakfast that seemed such a long time ago, and he wondered if that deep-seated fascination, first seeded all those years ago, and blooming after his brother vanished, would end up stuck in the tank, too. Whether he would have tried to take those toxic traits back.*

[galacticgroovin]

Pitou leaned back into the seat, rubbing her eyes. Your reaction is about what I expected. It’s not pleasant. It had taken my memories but in the end, it gave me something worse.

Tilting her head back, she looked at the ceiling. The scary thing is, I think this ship could hold even more horrors. And we’d never know until crossing into the door.

She sighed. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to half break down on you. She said returning her gaze to the boy.

[descendsanathema]

Kalluto made a steeple out of his hands, resting his chin on them, blankly regarding Pitou as she worked through her emotions.

It's okay. I'm sorry for bringing it up. To be honest, I've found this place to be unadulterated adventure - the only horrors are the ones I've taken with me.

[galacticgroovin]

Pitou tilted her head slightly. You experienced horrors outside the airship? I suppose I should expect that if you are part of the Phantom Troupe.

When Gon had told me about them, he said they were cold blooded killers. Or he may have called them hypocritical..

From what I know, one of Gons friends killed one of their members. So while they killed without feeling, they mourned him.

She paused thinking on it more than she had previously. So..you are a killer yourself?

[descendsanathema]

Kalluto stared, carefully considering the words Pitou used, as she said what she knew of the Troupe. It was two, actually - but Hisoka had killed more of them, anyway.

I'd prefer to keep that part of my life away from this place, thank you.

He sucked out the last ice cream from the bottom of the parfait glass, then licked his lips, trying to smooth his response out with a friendly smile.

Like I said, I'm on vacation.

[galacticgroovin]

Pitou puckered her lips, her ears flattening slightly. Despite not having a straight answer, she had a sense the answer was yes.

I see. I guess you and Killua are alike in that regard. Keeping things separate.

She scratched her cheek, her gaze softened. Do you have a new question for me? Ever since you told me about being told of a different version of me, I’ve been curious as to what happened to her.

[descendsanathema]

Only through stories from one person, I've heard bits and pieces about the version of you from my world. As I said, you were a symbol to them. The unfairness of the world, the folly of his ignorance, the proof that he wasn't mature enough to be on their own... you represented quite a lot to him over the years.

*There was no effort, now, to the warmth of his smile.*

I'm glad to meet you. You're more than what you mean to other people, after all.

[galacticgroovin]

Pitou rested her chin on her palm, leaning against the table, listening intently. She felt a little disappointed that kalluto didn’t specify anything. “Why won’t he tell me? Does he not know what happened?” She ponders.

I wonder who he is..What she had done to leave such an impact..

She gave the boy a smile of her own. I am glad to have met you as well. I like to meet someone new. I’ll have to ask Killua why he never mentioned you before when next I see him.

[descendsanathema]

*Kalluto's smile broadened, even as he tried to mute his reaction.*

I'm sure it was nothing personal. He's a very devoted brother.

[galacticgroovin]

Oh? Killua is your brother? That certainly raises more questions..so Alluka is your sister as well? Pitou asked.

A four sibling family? I assume that is the case as Killua mentioned he had an older brother once. You don’t..look older than him. Pardon me for assuming.