The sky weighed heavy. Black with rain. The heavens poured their tears in bounty, and as the rain hissed against the metal and stone, the clouds rumbled with discontent. Another day, another storm, masses crowded thick in the streets with hoods drawn and puddles clapping underfoot.[break][break]
It was nearly lunchtime. Though the storm masked the sun at its zenith, the stomach knew, and Koma's own was tight. Knotted with hunger.[break][break]
A bleary stare watched from the vaguely tanned features of the young man. The boy. Feet trudging along through the wet with hood drawn and groceries rounding out the fibers of the cloth bag weighing his shoulder. His eyes were dead. The line of his lips empty. With the stink of wet city heavy in his nose, it might be no surprise that the boy may have retreat to his thoughts, though by the vacant of his eyes, there may have been nothing at all on which his mind turned itself over.[break][break]
He stopped and turned. Into the shadows. The dark of an alleyway. A sleeping civilian huddled against the corner of a building tucked themselves nearer to its shape in search of some solace from the rain, fully ignored by the child as he continued onward. His destination lie beyond the garbage cans. Further than the dumpsters hinting the air with spoil.[break][break]
There, huddled in a corner. Under the safety of a cardboard box.[break][break]
Koma stopped, and drawing his bag from over his shoulder, he drop himself down neatly to rest his weight atop his heels, careful not to catch his pants in the filthy wet of the alley underfoot.[break][break]
It was quiet at first, the murmur of rain drowning out the gentle scrape of china as he drag a chipped saucer from its hiding place beneath some discarded newspaper. Its gentle grind sound to a halt as he set it before the shadow of the wilted box's mouth, and with its presence, the fluffy inhabitants of the sagging box mewled to life, sharp cries piercing the quiet with desperation.[break][break]
Tiny kittens fumbled on wobbly legs to pull themselves from the protective shade of their den, and upon their arrival, Koma reached for the bag at his side, fingers circling themselves about the glass neck of a milk bottle.
Anotsu enjoyed the rain. One might have adorned him in cape and spandex for such an obvious statement, but the magic of the village had never been lost to him.
Perhaps it was the perpetual blanket of rain that did it. Or perhaps it was his ability to thrive in such an environment despite its lack of appeal to those who desired the comfort of warmer - drier - climates. Whatever the reason, the Jounin was usually perched atop a rather large edifice with no intent to disturb the patrons below. Today was no different.
Half-lidded orbs of luminescent purple regarded the village with only what interest was necessary. Shinobi garb of obsidian fit snug against his athletic frame, various designs of tribal fashion woven into the fabric to give it a certain artistic finesse. Occasional winds forced his spiked locks and an elongated, thick scarf to sway gently, revealing the youthful countenance that gazed so watchfully over the inhabitants below. Crouched at the edge of his current position, perfect balance kept every muscle poised for whatever action the Uchiha may have seen fit. "Mm.." The single, audible sign that Anotsu was in deep thought. Such was usually the case when the village was able to find respite. But as Anotsu prepared to launch himself forward and retreat to his private quarters, those pools of purple spotted a hooded figure making his journey into a nearby alleyway.
Pursed lips parted to sigh. How he wished that the less fortunate didn't suffer so. He was no priest, no good Samaritan. He simply knew what hunger without the means to quell it felt like. Left palm pressed to the wet concrete beneath him, Anotsu hopped forward at an angle and made a swift descent toward the ground below. An expert landing allowed him to make no noise as his ninja sandals met with his intended drop point. There was only the heavy pitter-patter of the rain, the Jounin landing in a crouch for moments before standing to his feet and turning toward that same alley. Careful so as not to disturb the sleeping civilian, he fished into his pocket and drew upon a small bag of ryo. The sack was placed out of the view of wanderers and into the fold of the patron's side. And just as quickly as he had given such a gesture, Anotsu pushed his hands into his pockets and ambled further into the alleyway in an attempt to give the same courtesy to the hooded child.
But before his lips could part, he witnessed the sight before him and chose to remain statuesque as footfall ended with feet planted close together. Anotsu dare not disturb the kittens, nor the project that Koma was engaged in. And so he was content to watch, the Jounin having studied the dossier and familiarizing himself with its roster. The introductions could wait. It was clear that Koma was on a rescue mission.
The slide of glass along the fabric of the genin's cloth bag was imperceptible. Between the smatter of the downpour and the knifelike cries of kittens piercing the watery veil, the rest of the world was left to silence.[break][break]
Koma's fingers move deftly to pull the cap fitted to the bottle's mouth, and with only the gentlest 'pop' to signal his success, guide his hand forward, tilting the glass to see the shallow of the saucer's basin swallowed with the mildly sweet sustenance of cream.[break][break]
Right away, the mewls fell to silence, replaced instead by the steady lapping of hungry tongues and the rumbling appreciation of contented purrs.[break][break]
Should he have felt some sense of satisfaction? The distance in the boy's stare held fast, his gaze settled beyond the little bundles of fur gathering at the glassware's edge. No smile hinted to the line of his lips, the line of his brows rest gentle over his vacant watch. That another had stumbled upon him was beyond his perception, and as he watched blankly onward, he drew his hand out to one side - letting the rain fall into the open mouth of his milk bottle.[break][break]
No doubt the movement was intentional, as after a moment of letting his hand linger out from the protection of his shadow, his gaze turned for the newspaper he'd moved just a moment ago. Its material crinkled against the grasp of his fingers, and as he took it into his hold, he moved it out into the rain - using it as a resting place so what milk may be missing could be replaced with rainwater.[break][break]
The cycle seemed familiar to him. Everything had been prepared ahead of time for his arrival. But perhaps the milk was all he had to give. His hand failed to move for his bag a second time, gaze lingering toward the bottle to measure how long he might have to wait for it to be rendered full once more.[break][break]
The occasional needy cry sound from the slurping kittens, but it wasn't enough to draw his attention. He felt no need to check over his shoulder, or to search down the path of the alleyway. He seemed comfortable in simply going through the motions, having done this plenty times before.
[attr="class","glassslipperkoma"]— anotsu uchiha [break]thanks for joining!
Koma had to have been aware that the Jounin was standing nearby. Or perhaps he simply didn't care. Either way, the Uchiha took no offense to the gesture - or lack thereof - and took few steps forward to more closely examine the Genin's ministrations. A single hand lofted, motioning toward the kittens as his lips parted. "Walk with me. But consider this before we go: are you going to be their temporary provision....or are you going to give them a permanent solution to their cries for help?" The question posed, the Jounin turned upon a heel and retreated from the alley back into the bustle of the nooks and crannies of Amegakure. [break][break] [6:36PM]
The voice that called out to him wasn't the one he had expected to hear. Koma kept himself still, white brows cinching faint over his eyes as his focus held toward the steadily rising margin of watered down milk. Some stinging whisper at the back of his mind forced the tension in his brows smooth, and with a blink of his eyes he turned his head - gaze rising to level itself with that of the jonin addressing him. Busy as he considered himself to be, there was no denying an order. Even as the question was posed to him, he was already capturing the glass bottle in his fingers, digits moving to force its cap roughly into place as his lips rest natural as sober line.[break][break]
His eyes didn't leave Anotsu for a second, hands moving to guide the shape of his bottle back to the grocery bag weighed against his shoulder. The pleading chirps of the kittens as he rose to his feet was met with a cold shoulder, the boy's eyes fixed for the open break of the alley, where the shadows vanish and the open street began.[break][break]
Hand moving to adjust the weight of his bag, Koma followed after the Uchiha's steps in silence, daring a curious glance sideward to survey the man's expression. The twist of his stomach coiled itself tighter at the prospect of potentially speaking out of turn.[break][break]
"Uchiha. Sir."[break][break]
The boy had never been one for first names. Manners directed the use of surnames and titles only. The words escaped his lips with respect alongside their offering of acknowledgement, though perhaps the greeting were a bit late considering they were already on the move. What questions swirled in his mind failed to surface in the depths of his eyes, their distance maintained despite the mild spark of attention with which he regard the jonin.[break][break]
Of all the thoughts to spin under lock and key, there was only one that was particularly loud, and with the soft low of a humbled tone, he spoke.[break][break]
"Have I done something wrong?"[break][break]
No tremor of fear broke his voice, no weight of regret or inquisitive ring. To him, the question was posed out of necessity.
Anotsu might have taken a moment to ensure Koma that he hadn't incurred a wrath or earned a penalty if the Genin's question hadn't sounded so neutral. A simple "No." As they traversed the linear space beyond the alleyway, the young Koma could see Anotsu assisting with various tasks: hoisting groceries, handing small bags of ryo to select civilians, speaking to the lone and frail. They were making the daily patrol, though there was far more to Anotsu's ministrations than he would let on. "Those kittens back there. Why were you caring for them?" Anotsu asked. He let the question linger for Koma to clutch onto as he continued on, nodding in acknowledgement to any who would do the same to him. The Uchiha seemed unbothered in the slightest by the downpour. Perhaps obvious for one who was a native, but it was testament to Anotsu's strength of will. [break][break] In truth, the Jounin wanted to know his Genin. Beyond the dossier, beyond the papers, beyond the observations in the academy. There was no doubt in Anotsu's mind that every case was different, every soul was brighter or darker than the last....if one even believed in such a thing. Koma was no different. A marionette on the outside he appeared to look, but a cornered animal had always been underestimated. Anotsu wouldn't make that same mistake. If the boy's perception was as adequate as the Uchiha suspected, he'd notice their trek toward a ramen shop just up the road. [12:25 PM]
A simple "No," was good enough for him.[break][break]
There wasn't another word from the genin as he followed along, moving in step at the jonin's heel as he made his rounds through the streets. The man was fixed with a studious gaze, each of his actions taken into careful account. Between it all, acts of charity, brief exchanges with the fragile, and practical help of offered muscle - Koma was withdrawn. Only once did he step forward to help with hoisting an elder's groceries, and even then, no sign of a smile. An impassive line seemed all he had to offer, each task treated as a matter of duty rather than kindness.[break][break]
Koma, too, failed to wilt under the downpour. Thoroughly drenched from the time spent wandering the streets, he hardly seemed to notice. His mind was toward what seemed to be their task, the grocery bag toted at his side of little concern in comparison to the direct request from his commanding officer. He was only vaguely distracted at the time of the question's being offered to him, gaze having wandered off to linger toward a little girl taking pause to stamp her feet in the muddy water of a gathered puddle.[break][break]
With a blink, his head turned, attention shone subtle in the passive red of his eyes as he regard the Uchiha.[break][break]
It was a trick question.[break][break]
The boy didn't answer. Not at first. He simply cast his eyes forward, tracing alongside the jonin's steps as he sort the question in his mind. Finding a satisfactory answer wasn't coming easily to him, and as the prolonged silence found itself filled with the roar of pouring rain, he found his gaze wandering back toward the man, searching his features for some hint as to the answer he might want to hear.[break][break]
Maybe it was an anxious gesture. The way he adjust the strap of his bag. How his fingers clenched at its canvas. He didn't even notice it, gradually wading further and further into his thoughts. The waters they were treading into felt dangerous, and it kept his jaw trapped shut.[break][break]
"I don't want any trouble," was the conclusion he came to.[break][break]
And there it was. An expression.[break][break]
His brows furrowed subtle over his eyes, the corners of his lips edging to a frown as his gaze narrowed in the faintest gesture of a surprisingly bold threat. The uncertainty that flickered behind his stare was scarce, but no less perceptible - as was the conviction that sparked behind his quiet challenge.
"Trouble?" Anotsu asked. While the question was answered with a single-word question of its own, the Jounin was beginning to understand the futility in his attempts. And so he kept walking, hoping to provide Koma with further security by pushing his hands deep into the folds of his pockets. "Answer the question." More direct this time and leaving the Genin with no room to circumvent answering. Their positions were clear, that much he could surmise by the fact that Koma continued to walk with him. As they approached the ramen shop, the Uchiha nodded respectfully to the staff within and motioned toward a booth hidden toward the back of the establishment. He said nothing, gently tugging once more at his scarf before he met the cushion of what would be his resting place for the time being. One arm resting atop its twin, the Jounin waited until Koma was fully seated. If no answer had come by then, the undivided attention Anotsu gave to him was indication that he'd wait for one. [break][break] Admittedly, there was no true facial expression upon Anotsu's handsome features. There was only a half-lidded gaze, piercing and inquisitive in its silence. Lips remained sealed as menus arrived, though the Uchiha never strayed from looking at Koma with an almost imperceptible, expectant stare. Words wouldn't provoke the conversation that Anotsu desired to have with Koma. No, this was a boy who needed far more than syllables and a pointed finger. He needed a safe space, one that his Jounin hoped to provide him. [break][break] Once more, the ball was in Koma's court. [break][break] [6:10 PM]
The tension caught between his brows eased, the defiant flame snuck into his stare snuffed out in an instant. Some brief worry found itself of his faintly furrowed brows, but as soon as it was there, it smoothed itself away, a familiar hollow emptying his stare. His gaze held itself passive toward his superior, offering no hint of resistance to the order posed to him.[break][break]
It was almost mechanical. The way he brought his eyes forward. The mannered bow of his head to the eatery's staff. Even as he low himself to set neatly atop a cushion, there was no show of enthusiasm, what chord of apprehension stole into his aura snapped to leave him as a mere spectre in terms of presence, and a small one at that. It was still a challenge to find a proper answer, though at this point, he'd given up hope against throwing himself to the wolves.[break][break]
"Because no one else will."[break][break]
The soft of his even tone failed to waver under the scrutiny of the jonin's gaze, the calm to have washed over the amber of his eyes lift to rest toward Anotsu's own. His perception was likely keen enough to catch the thread of fear to lurk behind the convincing tranquility of the boy's watch, though the restraint that bind his tongue failed to surface in any other aspect of his easy, upright posture. Everything about him was practiced. Overpolished, perhaps.[break][break]
Guiding the weight of his grocery bag from his shoulder, he reached to collect his own menu in the mild touch of his fingers. Koma made no move to drop his gaze, still in full attention of the man seated along with him.
"Your lack of faith is noted, Uzumaki Koma. The words were stated with more of a matter-of-fact tone than one of disappointment or correction. There was no reprimand in Anotsu's voice, only the understanding that the figure before him was far from what a boy his age should have been. It reminded him of himself, back when there is a time when fun was little more than a concept he heard about from time to time. But he had to embrace his present, learn that there was no linear path in life. As such, he'd attempt to deliver that same purpose to the small machine sitting in front of him. "You already know who I am, so I won't bore you with pleasantries. They say that you can tell much about a man from how he eats and what he eats. So your first assignment under my command is a simple one: order what you enjoy most off of this menu. My tab." [break][break] It was at this point that the Uchiha's gaze broke away from Koma's, pools of purple making swift motions left and right as he pondered over his choice of meal. Hopefully, Koma would relax under the knowledge that his every move wasn't being scrutinized by some invisible force of judgement. No, the Jounin had moved on to far more important matters. "We'll be meeting with the rest of our Platoon at some point in the next few days," Anotsu stated as a thumb parted the menu to continue his browsing. Anotsu was relaxed, his posture nearly perfect and yet the seemingly chilled air around him rich with confidence and a regal tone. "I suggest you learn how to act more like flesh and blood than gears and cogs by then. For their sake....and yours." [break][break] The rain continued to fall heavily outside, their booth located near a window so that Anotsu could take the occasional glance outside. Much had changed over the years in Amegakure. No longer was there a perpetual rain, and he was silently thankful for it. There was still a listening ear for Koma as he wandered off mentally, privy to the personalities under his Platoon and wondering just how far apart they were.....or perhaps how close. Anotsu was now responsible for lives that weren't his own, much more than when he had been a Chuunin. To that end, he was determined to mold them into the capable. How successful he'd be, he wondered as his gaze fell back upon Koma, was anyone's guess. [break] [9:58 AM]
It wasn't insulting to hear. Anotsu seemed to recognize his cynicism for what it was, and the jaded child had neither argument nor shame to offer for having been called out. He simply nod his head as the man made note of the meaning behind his reply, a polite gesture of unspoken thanks for the consideration offered him.[break][break]
It only made sense that their trip to the restaurant would have some ulterior motive behind it. Koma had come to expect such mind games, and as the jonin made his intentions clear, he failed to cower under the pressure of being assessed in such a way.[break][break]
"Alright," he agreed easily, the tensing of his stomach subtle under the fabric of his clothes. "Thank you."[break][break]
The last thing he wanted was for his gut to sound out with a rumble, but with the clink of dishware, the warm atmosphere, and the scent of seared pork lingering on the air, it was proving to be a real threat. Relaxed as the rest of him might have been, it was a constant effort to hold his stomach tense, denying it the ability to gravel out in request. With his eyes dropping down to the menu, he was finding the script painted across the page doing little to aid him in his efforts. Reading off the ingredients was only making matters worse.[break][break]
As was that of the jonin across him, Koma's gaze was swift, flickering smoothly from one item to another in search of specific ingredients. It seemed to take him little time at all to hone in on what he'd been searching for - apparently a boy who well enough knew what he wanted.[break][break]
His gaze drift up as the man's voice called out again, lingering toward his own at the suggestion of 'acting'.[break][break]
"The wasabi shoyu... please."[break][break]
The thanks nearly came as an afterthought as he lowered his menu, gaze turning in consideration of the man across from him. He was still parsing his advice, weighing its potential meaning to make something productive of the words.[break][break]
"I know how to act," he assured. "But I get the feeling that that isn't what you're asking for."[break][break]
His gaze dulled a fraction, focus retreating into himself as he turned over his thoughts.[break][break]
"What would you like me to do?"[break][break]
He was willing to apply the advice, but the vague nature of the man's words left much open to interpretation.
"Of course you know how to act. That's exactly why we're here." It was evident that Koma was an amalgamation of parts. Anotsu need not match the Genin's gaze as the words left from betwixt his lips, an almost imperceptible furrowing of his eyebrows his only physical response. "I'll have the same", Anotsu replied to their waitress. A glance upward, a small smile as she nodded and made herself scarce in lieu of the understanding that Anotsu was here on "business". How practiced the boy before him was. To the uninitiated, perhaps Koma was depressed, traumatized. But to the Uchiha, he was just as much a tool to be instructed and used as any of Amegakure's advances. "You may find this hard to believe, Koma," Anotsu began while idly placing his menu aside. [break][break]
"..But I want you to be yourself."
[break][break] There it was. Perhaps his request would linger in the air like an unwelcome stench to Koma. Perhaps it was simply a request, inserted into his being like a slip of paper fixed into a printer. Whatever the case, Anotsu allowed the words to hang for moments before he continued. "Unless you don't know who you are." Another mental bullet. Another blunt strike to the wall of Koma's veil of apathy. How was it possible that a conversation so turbulent could be held in a setting so neutral with such a lack of threat? [break][break] As if on cue, the waitress approached with their food. The exchange of words had gone with eye contact whenever necessary, though the appearance of a meal placed a particularly bright gleam in the Uchiha's pools of luminous glow. "Thank you," Anotsu said as their entrees were placed before them. This intimate game of chess betwixt them was, perhaps, a necessary intrusion on Anotsu's part. Still, he wouldn't relent. How had Amegakure allowed Koma to go through the paces like this for so long? Were they aware, or was their ignorance just this great? Anotsu would have sighed had it not been a possibility that Koma retreated further inward as a result. [break][break] Instead, he took to the task of eating and allowing the sounds of the restaurant's utensils and cooking utilities to fill the gaps of their conversation. [break][break] [9:31 AM]
Only a breath ago, it was clear. 'Uzumaki Koma.' Respectful. Formal. It set a certain distance between them. But now, only in the next moment, things had geared to change. "Koma." The name resound in his ears with little effect, only a mild trace of curiosity to steal into his eyes as the Uchiha prefaced the statement to come.[break][break]
The words offered were not lost on him, thought apparent in his eyes as they searched toward those of the man opposite of him. He grasped onto them, both the words of the request and the gap of silence to follow. He read them like a puzzle, and with a mental list clear in his mind, began checking off the boxes one by one. It would seem that musing contemplation was all he had to offer the jonin, but as the suggestion that he might be unaware of himself met the air, he found it. The final check for his list.[break][break]
What Koma might have done if not interrupted by the waitress may have been hard to say. His gaze had yet to withdraw from Anotsu, and he had found little time with which to formulate a response. The curious, almost innocent nature of his eyes lift toward the woman to approach them, gaze immediately locking toward the ramen brought along with her.[break][break]
"Yes." His head bow itself in a thankful nod as he agreed alongside the Uchiha's gratitude. "Thank you."[break][break]
He wasn't retreating. That was for certain. Though some restraint held as a lock over his vision, there was a mild glimmer of anticipation there, and for his lapse in focus - [break][break]
Koma's stomach rumbled with a hungry roar.[break][break]
In an instant, the boy was beet red - the color flaring brightly at his ears before crawling up his neck to overtake the full of his expression in a shade to match the singular lock of Uzumaki crimson adorning his hair. For only a fraction of a second, he felt his throat cinch itself shut. The line of his lips drawn taut as he eased closed his eyes. An effort to hide what otherwise might reflect from them, surely. It was only unfortunate there was no easy way of hiding the color seeped into his features.[break][break]
"Excuse me," was the polite murmur to cover his blunder.
An apology was the last thing that had crossed the Uchiha's mind. As the last vestiges of Koma's audible roar quieted down, a torrential downpour of thoughts had cascaded the Jounin's mind. But in that instant, the only thing that he could have been was grateful. "For what?" Anotsu asked. Eyebrows loft just slightly, shoulders rising before falling. Just like that, what the young Genin may have surmised as out of character perished in the Jounin's mind. There was a lack of reaction, expression even, as Anotsu took to the chopsticks that had been placed nearby. He plucked the small, wooden sticks from their place and began to poke and stir at the beautiful ramen dish before him. "Koma," Anotsu began. "Don't ever apologize for being human." [break][break] As was their usual dance, Anotsu left his words out and into open air with a mental dismissal. Not even the change in color of the boy's epidermis was given any attention. And if any of the patrons thought it relevant or appropriate to look back, there was a frigid, piercing stare provided to them until they'd turn their eyes elsewhere. Strange how Anotsu had already developed a protective shield around Koma. It was more than duty, more than responsibility. It was....patriarchal. [break][break] Expert handling of his chopsticks allowed Anotsu to stir and poke at his ramen, the waitress returning with two glasses of water. Condensation gathered about them, a visual delight to the Uchiha. A simple nod of his head in acknowledgement, he forced any outside source to relinquish their relevance, their presence in the pair's makeshift bubble. They would return to the real world, the downpour, society...but only when they felt like it. "Have you met the other Genin in our Platoon? The Chuunin, Aiko?" Anotsu asked. The question had only arrived after he'd had a chance to consume two chopsticks full of ramen and the hearty ingredients besides. [break][break] To have ignored Koma's stomach's plea and offer up more questions would have been rude. Koma would, Anotsu thought to himself, answer when he deemed it appropriate. [break][break] [8:26AM]
Koma didn't answer. The question was rhetorical. Anotsu knew exactly the reason for the boy's apology, and that he set to assure him of the forgivable nature of his humanity only further assured him that he need not reply in word. The order to accompany it however saw a brief flash of apprehension in his eyes, its fleeting nature masked further by how easily he close his eyes to bow his head in docile agreement. He wouldn't, if only to appease his superior.[break][break]
Lifting his head, his gaze drew open with ease, no attention paid toward what patrons saw their curious gazes warded off by Anotsu's stare. The boy was occupied with his meal - or rather, the trained ritual surrounding it. Koma draw his hands before himself to join them in humble prayer, his head bowing forward as he offered a quiet word of thanks, and with the task complete - he, too, was reaching for his chopsticks. Readying their length in his fingers, his eyes set toward the meal set before him, and his mouth watered.[break][break]
Unlike the man across from him, Koma didn't stir his meal. The reach of his chopsticks was immediately for the invitation of the sunny-yolked egg laying halved atop his helping of ramen, and right away he was biting it down - with bites only scarcely acceptable as appropriate. Careful as he was not to simply scarf the food down, there was a distinct eagerness in how he snapped the egg in his teeth, some amount of patience exerted to properly enjoy the flavor before stuffing the second portion into his mouth. Only with the egg down was he willing to stir his own noodles, though he pause halfway to steal out a couple of fishcakes and down those too.[break][break]
"I'm familiar with Miss Hyuga."[break][break]
Anotsu wasn't kept waiting for his answer. Near as soon as he'd spoken, Koma was voicing his reply - ramen-laden chopsticks waiting ready in the air as he lift his eyes toward the Uchiha. He wouldn't eat while being addressed, though he kept his hand raised and ready.[break][break]
"Hoshiko and I were classmates. I've seen her older sister, but we've only crossed paths."[break][break]
His hand dropped a fraction, lowing his noodles to bathe in the warmth of the soup's broth in an effort to prevent their chill. After a quick dip they were lift timid toward his lips, eyes watching curious toward Anotsu as he measured whether or not it would be proper to take a bite.
