[ Maruki's in Stellari daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Scouting out a house to wish for, slowly gaining the trust of the group of worshippers around the crystal, poring over the quest board for things he and Akechi can challenge themselves with, or just wandering about – he's been doing his level best to get acquainted with it, and quickly. For his own benefit as well as others'. To be able to help the newcomers and those who choose Lumindeas as their new home base, he must know it as well as he knows Visium.
So it doesn't take long for him to make his way there – in one of his sweaters that was spared the Vash-stretching, thanks!! – and find the little shop where Vash waits.
In between poking through a rack of capes – oh man, he has to show Vash his cape – he glances over, brows drawn down. ]
I'm sorry, I can't believe I haven't asked – did you find a place in the city? Or are you back in Somnius?
[ Vash is doing his own small amount of shopping, on a rack or little stand just a few steps away from Maruki, his attention currently on a cropped hooded sort of top that's the same crimson red his coat used to be. He runs his thumb over the fabric before putting it back. When Maruki addresses him he blinks and peeks at him from over his shoulder. ]
Mm...? Oh. Hahaha. I have a place above the inn and cafe near here.
Maruki's brows draw down, confusion painting over his expression. He's been poking around the housing options in Stellari, trying to find an inconspicuous place to set up as a second home base. What could Vash possibly be talking about? ]
Is it... more like a studio? Ah, a one room home, essentially.
[ It certainly is modest, especially compared to a castle, but Maruki and Dolph have spoken enough about that. He knows now that by the time he arrived, the castle was already haunted for Vash. ]
I wish we had room at the machiya so I could repay the kindness you showed us early on. But maybe you prefer living alone...? Ah, I guess I never asked!
[ Oh! A pair of pants that actually looks long enough. He's holding it up against Vash's torso to inspect. ]
[ Alone is easier to keep people at arms length. It's not exactly a habit he's used to doing here, but he harbors some hesitation since returning. There are exceptions of course; Maruki, Akechi, Dolph. Others he's certain will find their way in.
He blinks as the pants are held up to him. Maruki are you trying to size him? ]
[ The first statement just gets him to laugh as he folds the pants over his prosthetic arm. ok, he'll get these if Maruki insists. He's half of the mind to ask when they were parent and child clothes shopping, but he honestly just enjoys the company. ]
Mmm... Is it? I don't know. You don't have to worry about me.
[ He's fine. Sort of. Not really. He's managing.
The question that comes next almost has him choking on his own spit, the purple lensed sunglasses hiding the way his eyes widen. He manages a strained, sheepish sort of expression. ]
I think he might enjoy his freedom a little more than he would sharing an inn room with me.
[ Vash looks pointedly down at the pants in his arms. ]
...Well, It's enough space for me.
[ That's all he's going to say about that as he wanders off to pick up a few shirts similar to the one he's wearing currently, high neck, long sleeved. ]
[ Maruki lets Vash wander off on his own for a bit, gives him the space he's due. It was rather harsh to put a fine point on it like that. He doesn't regret it – he could certainly stand to handle Vash less delicately than he did before – but it still doesn't feel good to put someone on the spot when they're not ready to talk...
So when he eventually sidles back up, picking up a shirt of his own to check if the sleeves are long enough for his gangly arms, it's with a quiet reassurance. ]
Wherever you choose to settle, for however long you're here, there are people who will be glad to spend time with you again. And I hope we get to spend a long time together, Vash.
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no subject
Do you want someone to go shopping with?
no subject
It would be nice to spend some time with you that's not just reuniting.
> action !!
I'll meet you there.
[ Maruki's in Stellari daily, sometimes multiple times a day. Scouting out a house to wish for, slowly gaining the trust of the group of worshippers around the crystal, poring over the quest board for things he and Akechi can challenge themselves with, or just wandering about – he's been doing his level best to get acquainted with it, and quickly. For his own benefit as well as others'. To be able to help the newcomers and those who choose Lumindeas as their new home base, he must know it as well as he knows Visium.
So it doesn't take long for him to make his way there – in one of his sweaters that was spared the Vash-stretching, thanks!! – and find the little shop where Vash waits.
In between poking through a rack of capes – oh man, he has to show Vash his cape – he glances over, brows drawn down. ]
I'm sorry, I can't believe I haven't asked – did you find a place in the city? Or are you back in Somnius?
loses this notif for a week.
Mm...? Oh. Hahaha. I have a place above the inn and cafe near here.
[ It's literally an inn room, but whatever. ]
LISTEN IT'S BEEN A TRYING TIME
They have apartments above the inn? That seems counterintuitive.
[ s q u i n t ]
no subject
Oh, haha not an apartment exactly.
no subject
Maruki's brows draw down, confusion painting over his expression. He's been poking around the housing options in Stellari, trying to find an inconspicuous place to set up as a second home base. What could Vash possibly be talking about? ]
Is it... more like a studio? Ah, a one room home, essentially.
no subject
The bathroom's down the hall, and I don't really need a kitchen...
[ He's just. going to walk down the little aisle to look at another display of clothes. Some pants he definitely wouldn't wear, way too short. ]
no subject
Maruki follows after him, picking up a similar pair of pants and grimacing. Two beanpoles who are doomed to have their ankles exposed... ]
You do need a kitchen. I remember what your eating habits are like! How am I supposed to come cook for you if you don't have a kitchen?
no subject
You cook for me enough when I visit. I manage, and the cafe is just downstairs from the inn.
[ There's a pause and he's kind of ducking his head, rubbing at the way his poofier hair fluffs with the motion. ]
It's kinda modest I know, but I'm used to it, and it's better than living somewhere empty...
no subject
I wish we had room at the machiya so I could repay the kindness you showed us early on. But maybe you prefer living alone...? Ah, I guess I never asked!
[ Oh! A pair of pants that actually looks long enough. He's holding it up against Vash's torso to inspect. ]
no subject
[ Alone is easier to keep people at arms length. It's not exactly a habit he's used to doing here, but he harbors some hesitation since returning. There are exceptions of course; Maruki, Akechi, Dolph. Others he's certain will find their way in.
He blinks as the pants are held up to him. Maruki are you trying to size him? ]
no subject
What's enough for you by your standards is usually too little by anyone else's, so you'll forgive me for worrying over you.
[ Back to picking through piles of clothes as he very casually tacks on: ]
But you don't want a roommate, is that what I'm hearing? Not even Dolph?
no subject
Mmm... Is it? I don't know. You don't have to worry about me.
[ He's fine. Sort of. Not really. He's managing.
The question that comes next almost has him choking on his own spit, the purple lensed sunglasses hiding the way his eyes widen. He manages a strained, sheepish sort of expression. ]
I think he might enjoy his freedom a little more than he would sharing an inn room with me.
no subject
However, more pressingly:
Gottem.
Maruki looks at him with nothing less than pure innocence. ]
Well, we're not talking about his preference right now. We're talking about yours.
[ He cocks his head to the side, genuinely curious. ]
Would you enjoy sharing a room at the–
[ WAIT. ]
I thought you said you had a place of your own above the inn.
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Vash is immediately shimmying off to the side a bit, half like he expects to get clocked for it. He offers Maruki an apologetic little grimace. ]
Well, it is above, it's on the second floor....
no subject
The second floor of the inn is still the inn! Housing is free here, what are you doing?
no subject
I'm not being charged or anything...! I help out. It's kind of like bartering.
[ He hesitates a little. ]
...I wasn't sure if I wanted anything permanent.
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Gets Maruki to drop the lecture, and quickly. His expression goes soft, subdued, and he looks at Vash with nothing less than pure sympathy. ]
You're afraid you'll be forced to leave again.
no subject
...Well, It's enough space for me.
[ That's all he's going to say about that as he wanders off to pick up a few shirts similar to the one he's wearing currently, high neck, long sleeved. ]
no subject
So when he eventually sidles back up, picking up a shirt of his own to check if the sleeves are long enough for his gangly arms, it's with a quiet reassurance. ]
Wherever you choose to settle, for however long you're here, there are people who will be glad to spend time with you again. And I hope we get to spend a long time together, Vash.
no subject
[ He pulls a couple of turtlenecks into his arms, not really checking the sizes. They'll fit. Probably. He'll make them. ]
I just need some time.
hehe we can wrap if you want n do smth during the event :3c
[ He picks up a turtleneck that will assuredly fit Vash, hands it to him. That'll be the last thing he pushes on.
For now. ]
Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere.