introduction et rondo capriccioso

[corpsebloom]

[ Lunch plans with Haise. Nothing about it was too incredibly perplexing or unusual, it was something that occurred quite often-- once a week or so. A good ten minutes earlier than usual to gather his thoughts, for he always seems to have to before he sees the young man. If anyone wonders why he always makes sure he’s the one that visits or they plan on the meetings, this is why.

If Arima closes his eyes, he can see wisps of Haise’s black hair that bloom from his white. His eyes glimmer with a sense of contemplation. His demeanor, as forced as usual.

And then— Kaneki Ken—

If he ever did remember, what would Arima do, pray tell? In either case, it was acknowledged between him and the man known as Sasaki Haise that he would kill him if he ever went berserk.

But now is not the time to contemplate on things such as “You’re like my dad” and how he replied with a “I’ll come and visit my grandchildren”.

There’s something rather guilt-provoking in that. ]

You’re later than usual by about three minutes. What kept you, Haise?

[ Arima’s eyes open. The air barely moves, but a single molecule moving out of the unusual is enough for him. That voice of his, as calm as always. It never betrays him. At times like these, contemplating the darker parts of what has happened, he’s grateful for it.

There’s no need for remorse at the lunch table. ]

Comments

please im just a harmless little ghoul investigator dont dig my cock

[corpsebloom]

[ Arima dips his head in understanding-- of course, his "grandchildren"-- he chuckles internally, would be the one giving him the handful. Despite the self-deprecating tone that is draped all over Haise's response, he sees no reason for Haise to be so self critical.

After all, they are children... And if they do their jobs or try to the best of their ability, accounting for psychological and physical circumstances, that's all that's really necessary.

Or perhaps Arima's really the one that is the source of all this needed "stoic perfection". ]

Looking at their progress, they seem to be doing well as investigators themselves. Differences in personality make no hindrance to performance as long as you teach them to think more before they act.

[ He flips through the menu. Earl Grey or Darjeeling? He's a tea kind of guy. ]

...Or simply be strong. Though, such an approach would be too heartless for someone who cares as you.

[ He hopes his eyes are smiling with that hint of their little joke. ]

You seem to be doing fine at handling them as children and them as investigators.

[ Darjeeling. He closes the menu. ]

please daddy

[sasarious]

[He listens to the praise as aptly as a student would absorb the words of their teacher, casting his eyes off to the side only as he breathes another small sigh in response. It feels like a lifetime since he last spoke about -- any of this, so openly.]

They're getting stronger in their own ways, but we'll never make any progress as a team at this rate. [Disorganization. Discord. Dissonance, and they're supposed to be his charges. He's the laughingstock of the CCG and it's hard not to think about it from time to time.] Sometimes I wish they'd stop at 'children,' really.

[He could handle that, he thinks. They're already at an age where they prefer to do their own thing with no care for what Haise may think of it all; if he weren't in charge of ensuring that they all grow up to be proper investigators worth their quinque, he has to wonder if it wouldn't be easier, somehow.

But that isn't something to dwell on over lunch, nor something he plans on voicing, just yet. These words of encouragement are coming from Arima, after all. So long as he has that support, that's all he needs, isn't it? A hefty punch from Akira here and there, too, just to keep him in line...

He picks up his own menu out of habit, something for his hands to do while he chases those thoughts away. It's a pointless thing to do, and for a moment, it's almost like he forgets; just a moment, then he's smiling again, defeated but resilient, as always.]

Heh... I guess I do get a bit carried away sometimes. [The menu's kind enough to have a boldly-printed 'iced coffee' listed under its beverages and that's a greater relief now than ever, so he puts it down, flat on the table beneath his palms, and leans back in his seat. His order is simple to the point of embarrassment, so there's a hint of anticipation waiting on Arima's decision in turn.]

This place has a nice variety. [An odd comment to make, for someone who can no longer find the memories to connect to the ingredients his eyes glaze over. This normalcy is a part of their humour, too.]

you've been spending a lot of time with that priestly ghoul, haven't you learned anything from him

[corpsebloom]

[ It was a bit foolish, but Arima did forget that "team" was an important part of being a ghoul investigator. Being so strong enough to handle his own made him forget that interactions with the CCG were more than just the unmemorable conversation or feigning interest in how that baseball game ended so poorly or whatever--

He had no use for that meaningless sort of thing, nor did he really care. Culture written in the form of books and the observation of human interaction was enough for him, but for Haise, who had a family to feed, in a sense, could not. He was a part of a team that emphasized on team, and Arima could not understand it all too accurately even if he did sympathize.

There were some privileges with being the pride and joy of the department. The shortcomings that came with that privilege only made it more interesting to talk to Haise, who did not.

So did it mean that Kaneki Ken was of the same, thoughtful breed, or did it come from the fact that he so very conveniently forgot his primal nature as a ghoul?

"I don't know, I've never had a conversation with a ghoul." Words he had spoken years ago, and words that still apply today, not too surprising considering every ghoul that comes his way is out to rip his throat out. ]

Despite that, those who come here tend to habituate their orders, or choose between one or two things. Trying new things or accepting them is usually not a part of the human regimen.

[ Ah, but that was something not to contemplate now. Arima did not doubt it--

Haise would remember someday. Handling it in any which direction it went could come later. ]

No matter where our [ --His voice goes soft at that "our", it twinges with a dash of guilt that can hardly be read in his even voice-- ] family goes, you will be scrutinized for being as you are, no matter how good you become. As I said, humans do not like to accept or try new things.

[ He frames his words carefully, thoughtfully, eyes wavering slightly from side to side as he digs the thoughts from the tablecloth. ]

Despite that, there is no crime in trying hard and appreciating its efforts. As long as you are strict and disciplined, it will result in something. A man of your calibre has no reason to not be able to pass it down.

[ In the corner of his eye, he notices the waitress come by, and with a slight turn of his head-- ]

Darjeeling.

[ He gestures to Haise. ]