(sfw) the coffee club
Nov. 12th, 2023 04:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
descendsanathema posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
endlessairship*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.
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.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-09 03:56 am (UTC)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.
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Date: 2023-12-09 12:25 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-11 03:54 am (UTC)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.*
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Date: 2023-12-11 04:31 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-13 12:05 am (UTC)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.
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Date: 2023-12-13 01:12 pm (UTC)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?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-13 11:05 pm (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-15 11:51 am (UTC)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.
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Date: 2023-12-15 09:41 pm (UTC)*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.
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Date: 2023-12-16 05:48 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-30 08:33 am (UTC)I'm sure it was nothing personal. He's a very devoted brother.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-30 11:58 am (UTC)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.