driftfleet | Heron May mingle

Asking for a friend, [Kaworu says cheerfully.] Well, if it does or doesn't, I'm sure it can't hurt...? [So he plucks up one of the boxes. Could be some sort of tea made out of space roses? He thinks it sounds nice.]

If you'd like, [he says,] while I'm here, I can make an extra cup. I'm using your facilities, after all.

[ Charles is quiet. His self-sufficiency wars with his often, occasional need to lean on other people. He doesn't like it, he never has, but there's no denying the reality of his situation. And he rather not hurt himself. ]

If you don't mind. Chamomile is supposed to be good for helping people sleep.

No, I don't mind. [There's a mellow light to him. For what it's worth, Kaworu's offer didn't come because he thinks Charles is incapable: rather than pity, it's just an innate love. Kaworu likes to do things. He likes people. Sharing a cup of tea seems like a reasonable conclusion.

And Charles' advice is nice to have, too. Prepared to abandon the rose hip tea if necessary, Kaworu examines the other boxes to see what they are.] So, chamomile? Is that the kind you want as well? This one is... Oh, it's peppermint — and, I've found the chamomile.

I'll take the peppermint please.

[ He leans back against his chair, watching the man move and shuffle through the contents of the shelf. Not human, his mind supplies. While Charles isn't reading his thoughts, the low level hum of activity he feels is different from most minds. ]

Peppermint, [says Kaworu indulgently, retrieving that box,] and chamomile, and... [He turns his head to smile over his shoulder at Charles, very pleasant in countenance but maybe a bit sheepish, like an adolescent who's embarrassed himself.] I admit I want to drink the roses.

[So, three bags of tea, from three separate boxes. Luckily, Kaworu's at least learned that preparing tea isn't particularly complicated. Though he's not exactly orthodox about it... Once he fetches a third mug, meant for Charles, Kaworu's pouring water directly into each mug, so that he can pop them into the space-age microwave.]

[ Charles chuckles lightly, bemused. ]

Rose hip tea isn't made from the rose itself but from the hip, a small part of the rose itself.

Is that so? But I still think it sounds very nice. [Perhaps that makes him sound idealistic, or naive, or...

Well, they're half-true, or somewhere close. He also doesn't seem to fear looking ignorant. (That one isn't quite as true.)]

I don't know very much about plants. Just a little, here and there.

Oh, it probably does. I imagine many other people have fallen under that misconception.

[ The smell of tea permeates the air. Charles exhales softly. It reminds him of things long ago. ]

Not many people do. I'm not much of a horticulturist myself.

[Kaworu, on the other hand, has only recently started drinking tea. Its scent doesn't convey any exceptional amount of comfort for him — it's just something pleasant. He's hoping that it will be more meaningful for Shinji.]

It's something that interests me, admittedly. And I've tried my hand at it a little... But the things a person can know about something are usually much fewer than the things they don't know. Wouldn't you say?

[ This isn't the normal kind of conversation Charles has with teenagers. ]

I suppose I would, but that's what makes learning so fulfilling. It never really ends.

[Kaworu may be guilty of Thinking Too Much.

The tea seems to be finished, at least. He takes each mug out of the ship's microwave-type-deal, and then navigates to a drawer so that he can get spoons. For someone who doesn't actually live on this ship, he's mostly competent at getting around in here.]

Endings are fulfilling in their own right. Well, I think they would be.

That depends if you have the luxury of choosing your ending.

I can agree to that, I think. [Kaworu dips one spoon into the mug with the peppermint tea, uses it to remove the tea bag, and then drops the spoon back in so that he can stir the tea around.] Do I need to do anything else before this tea is ready for you? Anyway, choice is the most important part of most things, I'd say.

That's usually my take on it at least.

[ He eyes him before relaxing a little. ] No, I think that should be enough. Peppermint is usually fairly sweetened already.

[In contrast, Kaworu seems thoroughly relaxed, all the time. (Then again, he has leagues more self-restraint than most, so whatever war he's got is wholly internal.) Certainly, he's not shy. He takes Charles' designated mug in both hands, and brings it carefully to the man in his chair, holding it out like a welcoming present.]

I should have taken the time to meet you sooner. I was missing out on such nice conversation.

I haven't been here long. I'm still fairly new to the Fleet. In many ways, I'm still adjusting.

[ Adjusting to the mutants, adjusting to this new role he must take on, adjusting again to being in a foreign environment. Charles is good at that, he's adaptable, but it still takes time. ]

Oh, I understand that. There are things I still need to grow accustomed to as well. But you'll surely manage. I do believe that.

[That's how Lilin always are, capable of flourishing when they shouldn't. Kaworu loves that about them.]

[ Charles' lips twitch. Those were words he used to say when he was younger - when he didn't know any better but still believed. ]

Most people don't come off so strongly on their first conversation.

[Oh. Kaworu's reminded, suddenly, that he isn't the greatest when it comes to socializing. He's still smiling, but now it's mixed with a little surprise, a little sympathy — a visible oops.]

Was that too much? See, I really am adapting. I'm not saying anything I don't mean, though.

Not to me. But I have experience with strong personalities. I can't speak for other people though.

[ He glances at him. ] Don't worry about it. I'm not offended.

Heron May mingle

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