I met a lady who drinks blood and she told me how she thinks about her powers when she wants to make them work. All I did was imagine it bubbling up just like how boiling water does, and I did it!
[ Nenonen looks Quite Pleased about this fact, in the way a researcher would upon finishing some kind of thesis. ]
You can make water hot, or cold, or explode a fish...
[ also yeah. there was a Thing with an anglerfish. Childe may or may not have exploded it all over Nen. ]
[He laughs softly at that phrasing,] Does that mean that you've decided to try using your new powers more? I know magic is strange, but it sounds like you'll be really good at it.
I wonder if you could use it to have a hot bath that never cools down... Hmm. I'm kind of jealous if you can.
I do. You have a bright mind and you're really curious. Magic in this world sounds to be another tool for finding solutions and answers, so I think it's a natural fit for you?
[ Nen pauses thoughtfully at the bottom of the stairs, blocking the door. Because this is the perfect place to have a moment of introspection! ]
I just don't feel like I've grasped the fundamentals. I don't know what the measures of success are. What is "proficient" in magic? Is it being able to fight? Being able to utilize it for every day life?
I don't have any frame of reference for stuff like that.
[His smile becomes more sympathetic when they voice their concerns. He is no stranger to such struggles. How did you measure the success of being 'Yuuto?' How did you measure the success of 'being replaceable?' He's math orientated, so those things would have been much less anxiety inducing if he could understand them with numbers.
Alas, he cannot. And it is likely the same for magic. He doesn't like the idea of Nen's mind harboring any stresses, especially when he worries he put this one in their head.]
How do you measure the success of having hands? [... oh no he's gonna make it worse- back up!!!] Uh, what I mean is! Why not think of it as an extra limb for now? You could judge hands by artistic ability, knitting, grip strength... So many things. But just because you can do one of those well and not the others does not mean your hands are insufficient. Nor does it mean that you're wrong.
I think whatever you choose to use magic for, Nen, you can excel at it. That's what I mean when I say that I think you're good at it... I think that if you want something, you can make it happen! You're great!
[ Nen hadn't considered it like that before. Yuuto LOVE YOURSELF?? But as always, Yuuto has a way of phrasing things in a way that just makes sense. It clicks for Nen. Of course there can't be only one measure of success for something like a limb. Even missing one or having it broken doesn't make someone a failure.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Nen looks at Yuuto, and almost-smiles. ]
That makes a lot of sense. I'm going to think of it like that going forwards. Thank you, Yuuto! Your acumen in reasoning is as impressive as ever.
[He's so glad that he didn't make it worse..! Yuuto considers his existence back to 0 for Nen, since he's evened out his mistake with something helpful.]
I'm happy to help. Sometimes we just need to hear a second opinion, right? [He looks to the door, but won't force it open. Maybe Nen still needs a moment.] If you'd be so kind as to keep me up to date regarding your magic achievements, I'd be most honored! I love hearing about what other people get up to.
[ For someone who's good at math Yuuto sure is bad at it!! He is only ever in Nen's positives. There is no negative for Yuuto as far as they are concerned. ]
What's "nosy"? Is there something wrong with it?
[ Nenonen moves right into poor Yuuto's space and ducks a little, trying to look up his nose...like one does. ]
[Though he is initially taken aback, stepping up on his tiptoes to literally get back, Yuuto quickly reasons what Nen is trying to do... and it's hard not to laugh a bit. He lowers himself back to the flats of his feet while covering his nose (and mouth/laugh) with his hand.]
Sorry! It's an expression from my world. It means something like, "to get too curious about other peoples' business, even when they don't want you to." To be rude. If I overstepping your boundaries, then I'd be "nosy."
[how would you rate your satisfaction. 5/5 stars on yelp please.
anyway. knock knock. It's anxiety.
Because it's kind of cute how Nen applies their knowledge of language to 'nosy' and comes up with a phrase like 'the right amount of nose.' He knows that is is incorrect. But it's cute. What if Nen uses that phrasing with someone else? Will that cause trouble? Will Nen be upset that he had the chance to correct them here and didn't?]
... Mm. You're the right amount of nose too. [He'll take a ticket to hell for this one if he must.] Speaking of your nose and curiosity. Let's go~! We have groceries to buy and stars to see. Are you ready?
Oh, that's a fantastic idea! Yeah, I can help you with that. You can use them to turn solid food into a liquid "smoothie."
Have you had smoothies before, Nen? [Not to imply a lack of faith, but Nen is highly curious. Yuuto can imagine that, if left to experiment on their own, they might make something Very Cursed with a blender.
Best to teach them about smoothies as a safe starting point???]
[ That....is a very fair concern. That is exactly what Nen would concoct with one of those. Their plan is to literally add water to food until it BlendsTM. ]
No, are they good?
[ Nen's had juice and milk and yogurt but that's the closest they've come to the topic of Smoothies ]
Oh... Yes please! But you bought the treat last time too. Should I pay for it today?
[ Since up to this point Yuuto has been Peak Sugar Daddy and as much as Nen is happy to receive anything and everything, they would also like to sugar his daddy at least once.
[And Yuuto’s brain seems to empty out. He may be staring at Nen with a stunned and empty sort of expression, but his brain is going haywire.
If his existence is going to be temporary,
If he is going to be a brief, unnecessary part of Nen’s life,
He can’t take anything from them.
No feelings, no space in their memory, and certainly not any of their money.
Giving is fine. Taking is not.
It takes him a moment to push through these spiraling thoughts and do the words. He’s doing his best to keep his voice even and devoid of his darker emotions. He has to be good or nothing. If he’s taking from Nen, then what’s the point of being here?]
Ah well… You’re using your money on your flowers, right? That makes me happy to know… and seeing you happy makes me happy. So uh. I want to buy you things so you can be happy..?
I don’t really deserve anything. [That’s why he didn’t buy himself a crepe before. He doesn’t plan to get himself a smoothie either.]
[ And this is where Yuuto loses Nen. That last sentence. It was all going well up until he mentions "deserving", leaving Nenonen well and truly baffled. Nen's met Tau by now and can't help but wonder if this is one of those "dumb things" she mentioned.
Only, Nenonen knows Yuuto is smart. Maybe he can just explain it. ]
But I didn't offer because I thought you deserved it. Should I?
[ is deserving something important? What sort of merit system would food and drink be based off of...? Nen's had experience with rewards given for good behaviour and test scores, but that was in the form of extra free time. Getting to choose an enrichment activity before the others. This doesn't feel like that. ]
[When Nen reverse Unos what he thought was a victory, Yuuto doesn’t find the game fun anymore. He nearly flinches, but manages to keep a physical reaction restricted to only a flick of his tail.]
N, no. I mean… Normal people don’t have to deserve it… E-extraordinary people like you don’t have to earn nice things either! It… It should be a given. Only bad people don’t deserve it… I-I’m… [If he admits to Nen that he’s awful, then they’ll leave. That’s fair.
But he doesn’t want it.
It’s moments like these that prove to Yuuto that he’s a terrible and selfish person. He can’t tell Nen the truth and free them. He just doubles down to keep them in his orbit.
Yuuto breaths out. And tells what he thinks is a lie.]
I! Uh! I’m okay so. We… We could split the cost! Is that permissible?
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[Yuuto is thrilled. His pride and excitement for Nen are unchecked. His tail is wrapping around the door knob to close it behind them.]
How did you figure it out? Was it the dancing? A book? Did you visualize it like a science? You’re so amazing!
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[ Nenonen looks Quite Pleased about this fact, in the way a researcher would upon finishing some kind of thesis. ]
You can make water hot, or cold, or explode a fish...
[ also yeah. there was a Thing with an anglerfish. Childe may or may not have exploded it all over Nen. ]
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… but the fish exploding?]
Explode… a fish? Like boiling its… [Wait. No. He’s not going to think that much about murdering a fish.]
That’s so amazing though. You’re catching on really fast. You’re really smart, did you know that, Nen?
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Boiling it...?
[ Good thing that second part is a sufficient distraction ]
--Oh. Thank you, Yuuto. My mental aptitude was my highest score in my evaluations.
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I wonder if you could use it to have a hot bath that never cools down... Hmm. I'm kind of jealous if you can.
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[ Yuuto be careful or this will be bath bomb round 2 ]
You really think I'm good at magic?
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I do. You have a bright mind and you're really curious. Magic in this world sounds to be another tool for finding solutions and answers, so I think it's a natural fit for you?
Are you still not confident?
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[ Nen pauses thoughtfully at the bottom of the stairs, blocking the door. Because this is the perfect place to have a moment of introspection! ]
I just don't feel like I've grasped the fundamentals. I don't know what the measures of success are. What is "proficient" in magic? Is it being able to fight? Being able to utilize it for every day life?
I don't have any frame of reference for stuff like that.
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Alas, he cannot. And it is likely the same for magic. He doesn't like the idea of Nen's mind harboring any stresses, especially when he worries he put this one in their head.]
How do you measure the success of having hands? [... oh no he's gonna make it worse- back up!!!] Uh, what I mean is! Why not think of it as an extra limb for now? You could judge hands by artistic ability, knitting, grip strength... So many things. But just because you can do one of those well and not the others does not mean your hands are insufficient. Nor does it mean that you're wrong.
I think whatever you choose to use magic for, Nen, you can excel at it. That's what I mean when I say that I think you're good at it... I think that if you want something, you can make it happen! You're great!
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[ Nen hadn't considered it like that before.
Yuuto LOVE YOURSELF??But as always, Yuuto has a way of phrasing things in a way that just makes sense. It clicks for Nen. Of course there can't be only one measure of success for something like a limb. Even missing one or having it broken doesn't make someone a failure.Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
Nen looks at Yuuto, and almost-smiles. ]
That makes a lot of sense. I'm going to think of it like that going forwards. Thank you, Yuuto! Your acumen in reasoning is as impressive as ever.
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I'm happy to help. Sometimes we just need to hear a second opinion, right? [He looks to the door, but won't force it open. Maybe Nen still needs a moment.] If you'd be so kind as to keep me up to date regarding your magic achievements, I'd be most honored! I love hearing about what other people get up to.
[...]
Ah, maybe that's too nosy of me.
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What's "nosy"? Is there something wrong with it?
[ Nenonen moves right into poor Yuuto's space and ducks a little, trying to look up his nose...like one does. ]
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Sorry! It's an expression from my world. It means something like, "to get too curious about other peoples' business, even when they don't want you to." To be rude. If I overstepping your boundaries, then I'd be "nosy."
Is my explanation okay?
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[ Because Yuuto seems to worry a lot about satisfying them. ]
In that case, do not worry about being "nosy." You are just the right amount of nose. I will tell you all about my progress.
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anyway. knock knock. It's anxiety.
Because it's kind of cute how Nen applies their knowledge of language to 'nosy' and comes up with a phrase like 'the right amount of nose.' He knows that is is incorrect. But it's cute. What if Nen uses that phrasing with someone else? Will that cause trouble? Will Nen be upset that he had the chance to correct them here and didn't?]
... Mm. You're the right amount of nose too. [He'll take a ticket to hell for this one if he must.] Speaking of your nose and curiosity. Let's go~! We have groceries to buy and stars to see. Are you ready?
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But right, there were trying to get somewhere weren't they? Whoop. Nen nods and finally opens that door for them. Onwards! ]
Yes! I am ready for food and stars!
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Great! Most of the things on your list are easy on a person's stomach, so we can start there. And I was going to show you 'rice,' right?
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Oh! Yes please. I need to get something called a "blender" as well. It's supposed to help make food easier for me to eat when I try it.
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Have you had smoothies before, Nen? [Not to imply a lack of faith, but Nen is highly curious. Yuuto can imagine that, if left to experiment on their own, they might make something Very Cursed with a blender.
Best to teach them about smoothies as a safe starting point???]
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No, are they good?
[ Nen's had juice and milk and yogurt but that's the closest they've come to the topic of Smoothies ]
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Want to get one on our way to the observatory? My treat? They’re pretty healthy too…
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[ Since up to this point Yuuto has been Peak Sugar Daddy and as much as Nen is happy to receive anything and everything, they would also like to sugar his daddy at least once.
it's only fair ]
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If his existence is going to be temporary,
If he is going to be a brief, unnecessary part of Nen’s life,
He can’t take anything from them.
No feelings, no space in their memory, and certainly not any of their money.
Giving is fine. Taking is not.
It takes him a moment to push through these spiraling thoughts and do the words. He’s doing his best to keep his voice even and devoid of his darker emotions. He has to be good or nothing. If he’s taking from Nen, then what’s the point of being here?]
Ah well… You’re using your money on your flowers, right? That makes me happy to know… and seeing you happy makes me happy. So uh. I want to buy you things so you can be happy..?
I don’t really deserve anything. [That’s why he didn’t buy himself a crepe before. He doesn’t plan to get himself a smoothie either.]
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Only, Nenonen knows Yuuto is smart. Maybe he can just explain it. ]
But I didn't offer because I thought you deserved it. Should I?
[ is deserving something important? What sort of merit system would food and drink be based off of...? Nen's had experience with rewards given for good behaviour and test scores, but that was in the form of extra free time. Getting to choose an enrichment activity before the others. This doesn't feel like that. ]
I can test you first.
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N, no. I mean… Normal people don’t have to deserve it… E-extraordinary people like you don’t have to earn nice things either! It… It should be a given. Only bad people don’t deserve it… I-I’m… [If he admits to Nen that he’s awful, then they’ll leave. That’s fair.
But he doesn’t want it.
It’s moments like these that prove to Yuuto that he’s a terrible and selfish person. He can’t tell Nen the truth and free them. He just doubles down to keep them in his orbit.
Yuuto breaths out. And tells what he thinks is a lie.]
I! Uh! I’m okay so. We… We could split the cost! Is that permissible?
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THIS WAS MY FAULT I DROPPED THIS BALL
YOU'RE ALL GOOD I WILL TAG FOREVER
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will i never not be emotional over these tags? no. never.
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