[ The following morning, there's a knock on Gintoki's door. It is, surprisingly, a somewhat reasonable time rather than ass o'clock early. ]
[ There appears to be some sort of a housewife or cleaning lady behind the door (just kidding, Gintoki is probably the one person who has seen too much enough of Katsura's bullshit to instantly recognize him in any of his disguises) and she seems to be holding a... pie? ]
[ Given that it's only the second day, he of course doesn't know exactly how the whole free food system works. For a very brief moment, he thinks maybe that's what this is about, although it seems doubtful that they'd actually have waiters bringing food to them when they could just hand out vouchers or something instead. Vouchers would be more sensible, right? Anyway--
All he needs is one look at the person to see that it's Zura, of course.
And he'd ignore him, of course, if ... that didn't look like pie.
So he opens the door just a smidge, enough to look outside, squinting with suspicion. ]
[ Ho ho ho just as planned. Of course Gintoki is not going to leave the door shut in his face if he brings a sweet offering! ]
It's not Zura, it's Zuree van de Lamp.
[ Guess they're in D*sperate Hous*wives now. ]
On behalf of the HRA*, please accept this token of welcome to our neighborhood.
[ (*Home Renters Association) ]
[ Apparently the very convoluted purpose of this visit is to let Gintoki know they're neighbors?? And also that he can always call on him for whatever reason, not that that's anything new. Speaking of which, Katsura has, in fact, discovered that the Otherworlder phones seem to have all the other Otherworlders' contacts in it automatically, but he'll let Gintoki discover that by himself. ]
[ The pie is actually real! It's got apple jam and everything. It's also not very big and fairly low in sugar, because of course it is, but it's still unmistakeably a dessert. ]
[ It is way too early in the day for this bullshit. ]
Huh? Van de Lamp? The hell you on about? And how the hell did you have time to join the HRA already? Or are you trying to be some sorta one-person HRA?
[ Did he already join the HRA? Does it even exist? It is a mystery and will likely remain so. ]
I'm glad you asked! A curious mind is the sign of a well-balanced individual. The HRA is all about making sure our new neighbours feel welcome and included, and of course follow the garden gnome regulations.
[ That's a HOA, a HOA!! Apartments don't even have yards! ]
[ Don't mind if he does! Stepping inside. Yes, he's dressed the full part, skirt included. ]
As I already explained, my wish is to extend a warm community welcome. [ wiggles the pie a little. did he actually distribute them to everyone who just settled in here or is Gintoki special? ah, the mysteries never end. ] Must good things always include some variety of an ulterior motive, dear neighbour?
More importantly, since it appears that the two of us are stuck here for the time being [ is he unaware Hijikata is here, or is he merely not counting him as a real person at the moment? yes ] I think it wise to stick together as much as possible.
[ He places down a key. It appears to be a copy of a starter apartment key, the number on the tag indicating it's just a little down the hall. It's probably his? ]
[ His lips twitch just slightly as Zura finally drops the act, and takes the pie from him to bring it into the kitchen. He puts it on the counter, and is just about to bring out some plates and forks when the sound of the key distracts him. ]
...
[ With a sigh, he takes it, then opens a cupboard to grab those plates. Does Zura want some pie? Gintoki sure seems to intend to share. ]
[ Well. It was not part of his dietary plans, but considering that 1) Gintoki sharing food is an extremely rare gesture of affection and 2) if he eats some of that pie, that will be less sugar in Gintoki's system, yes, he would absolutely like some. ]
[ Which means that as soon as he's caught onto what Gintoki is doing, he'll pad over to the kitchen as well, opening cabinets to find some mugs and a kettle with the comfortable ease of someone who lives there. ]
Will you have tea? [ as if he's the host and not the guest ]
[ Of course Zura's just making himself at home. Of course.
He starts cutting the pie up. A smaller piece for Zura and a sizeable one for him, not only because he wants more of the pie (though also because of that) but because he knows Zura just doesn't eat a lot of sweet things. ]
Uhh, sure, but-- I don't think I have tea. Unless it came with the apartment.
[ The thoughtfulness is appreciated! Otherwise he probably would have cut his piece in two and shoveled one part back on Gintoki's plate, which would have been a little counterproductive to his plan. ]
Quite alright. I brought some.
[ It's not the best, but he's procuring a few individually packaged tea packs that look like they may have been pocketed from a cafe. ]
[ Right, then. While Katsura is getting the tea ready, he'll set the table at the small kitchen table.
It feels weird. The whole thing is just weird. It's been so long since he's been in a new place and he feels uncomfortable and off. Feels a bit empty. Which he supposes is because a whole lot of things are missing. People are missing. Even Sadaharu isn't right! ]
...We'll find a way back. Though I would not be surprised if they barge in here before that happens.
[ Is he reading your brackets or does he just know you too well, Gintoki? It's a mystery, honestly. He's also aware that you're missing more than just your ragtag band of kids, but they're the most obvious piece. ]
[ He sets the kettle on the heat and unwraps two packets of tea. ]
We should help these people in the meantime.
[ Sometimes you only get un-isekai'd once you've completed the quest you were sent there for, after all. ]
[ It's really a meaningless bit of comfort. He doesn't disagree - they will find their way back - but it doesn't change where they are now. It's infuriating. ]
Seriously-- What a pain.
[ He flops down on his chair and leans back over the backrest, glaring up at the ceiling. ]
It's hard enough looking after my own.
[ Arguably not his problem anymore, but at the same time he won't stop thinking about them either. They should be all right. Nothing's for certain, though. ]
[ He'll be happy to know that time passes differently here, then. In all honesty, the kids might never even know they were missing -- or so Katsura heard. He'll find a moment to share that little piece of information even if it doesn't happen onscreen. ]
Heh. [ He throws the tea in and gingerly takes a seat to wait for the water to heat up. It should be quick. ] No rest for the protagonist, huh?
[ He's willing to share that burden with you, Gintoki... ]
[ He could say something about how he's too young to feel that way, but he knows better. Their hearts hadn't been young since the temple school, if even then. They're old men now, after everything they had to endure. Especially Gintoki. ]
[ He wishes he knew what to say, but it's not something fixed by words, anyway. Best he can do is just try and be there, as much as he can. ]
[ Which is exactly what he's doing. ]
Far as I can tell, they're not forcing you to do anything [ aside from KIDNAPPING THEM HERE?? Frigging Oswald, for real ] but I suspect you would grow bored with nothing to do.
[ As much as Gintoki claims to want the simplest, most boring life, he'd started up Yorozuya for a reason. Honestly, some of the "quests" he's seen so far don't seem too different from the simple odd jobs Gintoki does. ]
[ The tea isn't quite ready, but he picks up his fork and cuts up a small piece of the pie. Zura is right, of course. He likes to sleep in and he needs breaks, but he couldn't do nothing all the time.
Not to mention he needs things that feel worthwhile.
If what they say is true, this would count as that. It's just the damn kidnapping. ]
Guess they're at least paying. That's more than can be said for a lotta jobs I take on. Everyone in Edo is a damn freeloader.
[ It would. But really, why couldn't they send a delegation or something like normal people? Surely they would have gotten plenty of takers willing to be heroes, especially if they mentioned the (temporarily) free food and roof. They might have even gotten Gintoki's little crew anyway. But they didn't ask, they just plucked them out of their world regardless of what important matters they may have been in the middle of. And that's just... well, shitty. ]
Not every job is paid in money, Gintoki.
[ Gintoki might bitch and whine about not getting paid (enough), but perhaps the goal of Odd Jobs was always to help people. Nobody forced him to take many of those "jobs" -- nobody and nothing but his own conscience, which is really more than enough. A samurai must protect his soul, after all. And sometimes he gains something much more valuable than payment in return. ]
I plan to see for myself what sort of people these leaders are. [ Has he already requested an audience? Probable, though he'll likely need to wait however many days for it. ] First we must gather information. Then we can plan our next steps.
[ "we" huh... ]
[ Oh hey! The tea is ready, and he gets up again to pour two mugs and set them on the table. ]
[ He just grunts. Most jobs are not about the money, no. If he'd cared more about it, he probably could have been better off by now. But he never wanted life to be about that. He'd never known a life of luxury and he wasn't interested in it. It was enough to simply get by.
...
His eye twitches a little. ]
Whaddya mean 'we'? Keep me out of whatever plans you're cooking up.
[ Some would probably say that's just flirting with poverty, but Katsura gets it. There's nothing more worthwhile than leading a life one can believe in, nothing more rewarding than being able to protect those around you, nothing more freeing than the chance to do the right thing. Perhaps he's a romantic at heart, but truly, now that he thinks of it, he can't imagine Gintoki being anything but exactly who he is in their new world. ]
[ He can only hope it won't bring upon him even more suffering. But at least now he has the chance to be there with him if it happens. ]
Why? Do you have any previous commitments?
[ come do Jouishishi things with him Gintokiiiiii ]
[ sighs, as if he ever had any reason to expect anything else ]
Very well. Then I will watch your back from my own.
[ sort of like he has been... or has been trying. perhaps from a little closer by here, though. there isn't really a real reason for him to keep distance in this world, aside from not being too overbearing or getting in the way. ]
[ he blows on his tea to cool it off quicker and finally cuts a bite of the pie with the fork. ]
[ His brow twitches slightly. What's with that face? Honestly, why is it always drama with this guy? Nothing has changed! Not between the two of them. ]
[ Of course nothing has changed. That's their whole thing right? That's their promise to one another, after all. Don't change. And so, just as he always has, Katsura will continue to offer Gintoki a place at his side, without any real expectation for him to take it. ]
[ After all, whenever they actually need the other's help, they just slide back into place as naturally as a river reclaiming its path, without any sort of agreements or conditions necessary. ]
[ Nevertheless, he could not claim it does not sadden him when their paths diverge, even though it is usually temporary, and even though it may be for the best. Sometimes, a samurai is unable to hide their heart, leading to soft expressions and additional exposition about their past burdens shaping their future. Perhaps one such moment is right here; in a strange world that is not theirs but still deserves help. ]
But of course, if you find yourself short of an UNO partner [ or someone to slay monsters with, or someone to hold back your hair when you puke, or just about anything at all ] do let me know.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
owo who's this (the day after their arrival/meeting)
[ There appears to be some sort of a housewife or cleaning lady behind the door (just kidding, Gintoki is probably the one person who has seen
too muchenough of Katsura's bullshit to instantly recognize him in any of his disguises) and she seems to be holding a... pie? ]oh no
All he needs is one look at the person to see that it's Zura, of course.
And he'd ignore him, of course, if ... that didn't look like pie.
So he opens the door just a smidge, enough to look outside, squinting with suspicion. ]
Whaddya want, Zura?
(◕‿◕✿)
It's not Zura, it's Zuree van de Lamp.
[ Guess they're in D*sperate Hous*wives now. ]
On behalf of the HRA*, please accept this token of welcome to our neighborhood.
[ (*Home Renters Association) ]
[ Apparently the very convoluted purpose of this visit is to let Gintoki know they're neighbors?? And also that he can always call on him for whatever reason, not that that's anything new. Speaking of which, Katsura has, in fact, discovered that the Otherworlder phones seem to have all the other Otherworlders' contacts in it automatically, but he'll let Gintoki discover that by himself. ]
[ The pie is actually real! It's got apple jam and everything. It's also not very big and fairly low in sugar, because of course it is, but it's still unmistakeably a dessert. ]
no subject
[ It is way too early in the day for this bullshit. ]
Huh? Van de Lamp? The hell you on about? And how the hell did you have time to join the HRA already? Or are you trying to be some sorta one-person HRA?
no subject
I'm glad you asked! A curious mind is the sign of a well-balanced individual. The HRA is all about making sure our new neighbours feel welcome and included, and of course follow the garden gnome regulations.
[ That's a HOA, a HOA!! Apartments don't even have yards! ]
no subject
SCRUBS FACE
UGH
He opens the door and steps aside. ]
Just come in and tell me what you want.
no subject
As I already explained, my wish is to extend a warm community welcome. [ wiggles the pie a little. did he actually distribute them to everyone who just settled in here or is Gintoki special? ah, the mysteries never end. ] Must good things always include some variety of an ulterior motive, dear neighbour?
[ IT USUALLY DOES... ]
no subject
When you are giving me something sugary? Yes.
1/2
Don't get used to it.
[ Oh, did he finally drop the act... ]
2/2
[ He places down a key. It appears to be a copy of a starter apartment key, the number on the tag indicating it's just a little down the hall. It's probably his? ]
You should have this.
no subject
...
[ With a sigh, he takes it, then opens a cupboard to grab those plates. Does Zura want some pie? Gintoki sure seems to intend to share. ]
no subject
[ Which means that as soon as he's caught onto what Gintoki is doing, he'll pad over to the kitchen as well, opening cabinets to find some mugs and a kettle with the comfortable ease of someone who lives there. ]
Will you have tea? [ as if he's the host and not the guest ]
no subject
He starts cutting the pie up. A smaller piece for Zura and a sizeable one for him, not only because he wants more of the pie (though also because of that) but because he knows Zura just doesn't eat a lot of sweet things. ]
Uhh, sure, but-- I don't think I have tea. Unless it came with the apartment.
no subject
[ The thoughtfulness is appreciated! Otherwise he probably would have cut his piece in two and shoveled one part back on Gintoki's plate, which would have been a little counterproductive to his plan. ]
Quite alright. I brought some.
[ It's not the best, but he's procuring a few individually packaged tea packs that look like they may have been pocketed from a cafe. ]
no subject
[ Right, then. While Katsura is getting the tea ready, he'll set the table at the small kitchen table.
It feels weird. The whole thing is just weird. It's been so long since he's been in a new place and he feels uncomfortable and off. Feels a bit empty. Which he supposes is because a whole lot of things are missing. People are missing. Even Sadaharu isn't right! ]
no subject
[ Is he reading your brackets or does he just know you too well, Gintoki? It's a mystery, honestly. He's also aware that you're missing more than just your ragtag band of kids, but they're the most obvious piece. ]
[ He sets the kettle on the heat and unwraps two packets of tea. ]
We should help these people in the meantime.
[ Sometimes you only get un-isekai'd once you've completed the quest you were sent there for, after all. ]
no subject
Seriously-- What a pain.
[ He flops down on his chair and leans back over the backrest, glaring up at the ceiling. ]
It's hard enough looking after my own.
[ Arguably not his problem anymore, but at the same time he won't stop thinking about them either. They should be all right. Nothing's for certain, though. ]
no subject
Heh. [ He throws the tea in and gingerly takes a seat to wait for the water to heat up. It should be quick. ] No rest for the protagonist, huh?
[ He's willing to share that burden with you, Gintoki... ]
no subject
And I keep saying all I wanna do is rest.
[ If he has to get up and work, he wants it to be on his terms. This obviously isn't that. Freaking Oscar. ]
no subject
Ah, are you considering retirement?
[ He could say something about how he's too young to feel that way, but he knows better. Their hearts hadn't been young since the temple school, if even then. They're old men now, after everything they had to endure. Especially Gintoki. ]
[ He wishes he knew what to say, but it's not something fixed by words, anyway. Best he can do is just try and be there, as much as he can. ]
[ Which is exactly what he's doing. ]
Far as I can tell, they're not forcing you to do anything [ aside from KIDNAPPING THEM HERE?? Frigging Oswald, for real ] but I suspect you would grow bored with nothing to do.
[ As much as Gintoki claims to want the simplest, most boring life, he'd started up Yorozuya for a reason. Honestly, some of the "quests" he's seen so far don't seem too different from the simple odd jobs Gintoki does. ]
no subject
Not to mention he needs things that feel worthwhile.
If what they say is true, this would count as that. It's just the damn kidnapping. ]
Guess they're at least paying. That's more than can be said for a lotta jobs I take on. Everyone in Edo is a damn freeloader.
no subject
Not every job is paid in money, Gintoki.
[ Gintoki might bitch and whine about not getting paid (enough), but perhaps the goal of Odd Jobs was always to help people. Nobody forced him to take many of those "jobs" -- nobody and nothing but his own conscience, which is really more than enough. A samurai must protect his soul, after all. And sometimes he gains something much more valuable than payment in return. ]
I plan to see for myself what sort of people these leaders are. [ Has he already requested an audience? Probable, though he'll likely need to wait however many days for it. ] First we must gather information. Then we can plan our next steps.
[ "we" huh... ]
[ Oh hey! The tea is ready, and he gets up again to pour two mugs and set them on the table. ]
no subject
...
His eye twitches a little. ]
Whaddya mean 'we'? Keep me out of whatever plans you're cooking up.
no subject
[ He can only hope it won't bring upon him even more suffering. But at least now he has the chance to be there with him if it happens. ]
Why? Do you have any previous commitments?
[ come do Jouishishi things with him Gintokiiiiii ]
no subject
I'm doing things my way.
[ This pie is definitely not as sweet as it could have been. Freaking Zura. ]
no subject
[ sighs, as if he ever had any reason to expect anything else ]
Very well. Then I will watch your back from my own.
[ sort of like he has been... or has been trying. perhaps from a little closer by here, though. there isn't really a real reason for him to keep distance in this world, aside from not being too overbearing or getting in the way. ]
[ he blows on his tea to cool it off quicker and finally cuts a bite of the pie with the fork. ]
[ it's a little sweet though! ]
no subject
Tch!
[ At least it's settled. Eating pie now. ]
1/3
[ After all, whenever they actually need the other's help, they just slide back into place as naturally as a river reclaiming its path, without any sort of agreements or conditions necessary. ]
[ Nevertheless, he could not claim it does not sadden him when their paths diverge, even though it is usually temporary, and even though it may be for the best. Sometimes, a samurai is unable to hide their heart, leading to soft expressions and additional exposition about their past burdens shaping their future. Perhaps one such moment is right here; in a strange world that is not theirs but still deserves help. ]
2/3
3/3
But of course, if you find yourself short of an UNO partner [ or someone to slay monsters with, or someone to hold back your hair when you puke, or just about anything at all ] do let me know.
[ If he won't get there first. ]