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

[Video]

[dead_black_eyes]

I guess... try to explain with more clarity what you mean by "in Death City."

[Video]

[conduit]

Well, I guess since arriving here, my alcohol tolerance has gone way down. Like, way down. A Shinigami is much more durable than a human to all substances, and this includes poison. [ How else would someone be able to survive having their stomach being ripped out? Or chopped in half... ]

[Video]

[dead_black_eyes]

Then... what you're saying is that you've become more human, since arriving here.

[Video]

[conduit]

Exactly! Ever since arriving here, I've become more like a human and less like a Shinigami!

[Video]

[dead_black_eyes]

In what ways besides alcohol tolerance?

[Video]

[conduit]

Well, I now have less stamina, I probably have less endurance, I can't move as fast, I can't detect any type of souls - the corruption of them or the actual soul - I can't feel my spiritual energy, and I'm not as strong.

It sucks being a human! [ She sighs. ]

[dead_black_eyes]

It's been said that flaws and impermanence are what make humans beautiful, you know.

[conduit]

But I'm not a human! I'm a Shinigami, and I'm already beautiful! [ IT'S TRUE... ] I mean, I have some flaws and I do change from time to time, but, I shouldn't have this many!

[dead_black_eyes]

Just work on your memory, and your flaws will be of no consequence.

[conduit]

You really mean that?! Aw, thank you... [ And now here comes a long hesitant, stalling uhhhhhh. What was this guy's name again? ]

[dead_black_eyes]

...Sure.

[conduit]

Your name is sure?! [ What an unusual name! ]

[dead_black_eyes]

...No.

[conduit]

Then what is it?

[dead_black_eyes]

Cary Grant.

[conduit]

Okay, Cary Grant! It's really nice to meet you~! Again! [ Rangiku giggles. ] Do you want to have lunch sometime~? Just to cover what you know about me! [ She doesn't want to be redundant in conversation anymore. ]

[dead_black_eyes]

Will you forget, if we set up a date for lunch? That would throw off my entire day.

[conduit]

Of course not! I'll remember this time~! I have this trusty thing to remind me! And, I usually don't forget stuff that I plan before I drink~! [ SHE PROMISES THIS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!!! PROMISES!!! ]

[dead_black_eyes]

Then let's do lunch. I work the night shift, so I'm free most daytime hours.

[conduit]

Does eleven to one sound good? Ooh! Where should we have lunch anyways? At a diner?! At a bar?! [ ...yeah. she's serious about that. ] At an outdoor classy eatery?! [ She gets too carried away by these things! ]

[dead_black_eyes]

Whatever you'd like. As long as they serve sweet things, I have no preferences.

[So, yes Rangiku, a bar is fine at 11 in the morning. :|. ]

[conduit]

Then how about sweet defrights? [ She'll go into detail. ] It's a candy shop but it has tables outside. I think this means they sell something that's more substantial as a meal~!

[dead_black_eyes]

That's fine.

Today, or another?

[He thinks that she's less likely to forget if it's today.]

[conduit]

Today's fine! I don't have anything I need to get done since my partner was sent home! [ She sounds unusually chipper about that. If L's particularly observant, he might be able to notice some attempt to make a forced, happy, expression. ]

[dead_black_eyes]

I haven't actually eaten since yesterday, so... yes, let's eat soon.

[He does notice, even though he's not typically that observant, where peoples' emotions are concerned.]

I'll meet you in an hour. Is that enough time?