Voicemail

[futariniousama]

...

- beep! -

Comments

call. /backdated to June 10th, after Rise's arrival in Ecruteak

[reimprovise]

[ring ring ring ring ring ring ring

banana phone]

[reimprovise]

Mm, is that so? Rise likes spicy foods, shopping, and eating manjuu and oranges under a Kotatsu.

You should take her out sometime.

[futariniousama]

Where'd you pick up so much info about her? And I thought we were. Isn't that what this call's about?

[reimprovise]

[a laugh, here] It's not as though I doubt your dating capabilities, really, but even you'd have a hard time finding a classy restaurant to woo her with in the middle of the wilderness.

[futariniousama]

So you want me to take her to a classy restaurant, huh?

[reimprovise]

You have until tonight, since we're leaving tomorrow~ Did you want me to subtly nudge her your way?

[futariniousama]

Are you serious right now.

[ No, there's no question mark there.

A last, valiant effort: ]

What, you don't want a piece of that action, yourself?

[reimprovise]

Aw, did you want me there for moral support? She may be an otter, but she doesn't bite, promise.

[futariniousama]

Otter? - No, nevermind. I don't wanna know.

And I don't want you comin' along to cockblock me if I do take her out, Seigaku. Bad enough you'll be checkin' to make sure I've got condoms on me and I brushed my teeth before I leave.

[reimprovise]

Make sure you wear the right cologne! And if you go out there looking like a prettier girl than she is, we might have to have some words.

[futariniousama]

Has anyone ever familiarized you with the phrase 'relentlessly irreverent doucherocket?' Because I think someone should.

I always wear the right cologne, as I'm sure you've noticed, and we both know I couldn't make a prettier girl than her if I tried.

[reimprovise]

Not in so many words, no. Was that your act of charity for the day?

[a grin] Oh, but what if you really, really tried? I'm sure you could come up with something.

[futariniousama]

Yeah, it was.

[ A beat, while Niou debates the merits of feigning slight vulnerability to try to bait Fuji.

With just the slightest hint of hesitation: ]

Do you seriously think I could be a prettier girl than her?

[reimprovise]

[and if he takes the vulnerability the way Niou wants him to, he doesn't show it. raising an eyebrow--]

Why, fishing for compliments?

[futariniousama]

[ Another half-beat, then, quickly: ]

No, just wonderin' at your taste in chicks, is all.

[reimprovise]

[he considers this for a second. then, with his words clipped and enunciated carefully in a marked cadence:] 'I am a complex and inexplicable individual. My tastes cannot be so easily summarized.'

[a hum, here, and then lightly--] Or was it 'simply'?