Entry #A-12: "Assimilation" [February 13, Audio]

[dead_black_eyes]

[A smooth, soft voice can be heard over the networks.]

I'm getting the feeling that this consumer-driven holiday invented by greetings-card companies is more of an affair in Death City than it was in my own world.

While I don't approve of holidays cashing in by making people feel obligated to buy things for others, I don't have a problem if people feel obligated to buy things for me.

There are some stores selling fine chocolates. I like these in particular, so... as a true gourmand and an expert at gauging human emotions, I will give you excellent, informed romantic advice in exchange for any of the following.

[TEXT]

1. Creme buttermints (package of 12)
2. Vanilla caramel truffles (package of 16)
3. Milk fudge squares (NO NUTS, package of 8)
4. Hand-dipped marshmallow dream bars (package of 2)
5. Cotton-candy heart sticks (package of 1, the most cost-effective option)
6. Belgian nougat sprinkled in gold leaf (package of 1, the least cost-effective option but I'll certainly notice you.)
7. Candied orange slices (Package of 10)

[/End TEXT]

Comments

[shiromadoushi]

To try and get me to get you chocolate....

[dead_black_eyes]

Does that usually work? Telling someone that you can see their scrotum makes people give you chocolates...?

[shiromadoushi]

[[hiding behind his hand now]] Only to try and get you to stop talking about it...

[dead_black_eyes]

I'll keep that in mind, for the future!

[shiromadoushi]

[[There might have been a bit of an uncharacteristic, though mild, curse running through Bakura's mind at that]]

Please don't...

Why were you even looking for something like that anyway?

[dead_black_eyes]

I notice things. Call it my blessing, or my curse, but if it's there, I'll probably see it and remember it. Maybe it's my own desire to feel like everything I see is relevant... "blessing" sounds so much better, after all, doesn't it...?

[shiromadoushi]

But something like that...

[[near sighs.]]

You'll have to show me which pair of pants it is, so I can get rid of them...

[dead_black_eyes]

The purple ones!

[Clearly, the color is also amusing to L.]

[shiromadoushi]

[[The ones from home that L had been in]]

...I got rid of those....

[dead_black_eyes]

Then you knew they were too tight in the crotch?

[shiromadoushi]

It had nothing to do with that...

[[and far more to do with L having been wearing them. After being in a dumpster. And then using all his shampoo. And possibly not wearing any underwear. Too many uncomfortable feelings about those pants afterward.

That and:]]

Ulthar ripped up one of the legs of them before I could get them properly laundered.

[dead_black_eyes]

The cat did? Doesn't he have a scratching post?

[shiromadoushi]

She does. I think she just saw it as an intruder, since it didn't have the right smell.

[dead_black_eyes]

She should get over that. Since you've had it for awhile, now.

You were going to buy me candy.

[A quick, helpful reminder, there. You're welcome.]

[shiromadoushi]

Right, sorry... [[and he picks up his pace a little.]] The marshmallow bars, right?

[dead_black_eyes]

I forgive you.

[L follows, close at his elbow.]

That's right, the Marshmallow Dream Bars. I'm very anxious.

[shiromadoushi]

[[He's used to Ryuzaki being odd with things so the being that close doesn't really bother him so much any more]] Anxious? About what?

[dead_black_eyes]

About getting to eat them? Perhaps "impatient" is a better word.

[Really, there isn't much else that L looks forward to, without Light around the apartment. It is the saddest goddamn thing.]

[shiromadoushi]

[[Covers a small laugh]] I'd think it would be. Getting anxious just over a specific sort of choco... [[he trails off with a smile. Really, sometimes Ryuzaki was just like a kid.]]

[dead_black_eyes]

[He really, really is like a kid in a lot of disconcerting ways. Kind of Bakura, to be able to see something endearing in the way the rangy, strange man gets worked up over such trivial matters.]

You'll buy me two, right? That was the agreement.

[shiromadoushi]

[[Considering how people were in his world, was it any wonder he could?]]

If you'd like. [[Not that he was doing this for the advice, mind. (though if he still had those pants, the value of knowing to be rid of them would have been worth it...)]] Are they the packaged sort, or at the pastry counter?

[dead_black_eyes]

Of course. I specified that from the very beginning, I believe.

And they're at the pastry counter. I believe I also mentioned that the were hand-dipped.