A nod of his head in understanding as the Genin spoke. Anotsu continued the endeavor to eat his meal. It was said that one could tell that a meal was good based on the amount of conversation during. In that regard, the Uchiha allowed the conversation a pause once Koma had answered him. He leaned down as he took to eating, savoring every bite with closed eyes and an occasional hum of enjoyment. Every few bites, sips of water were taken. The air about the Jounin was one of complete relaxation, as if naught could interrupt this moment of peace. [break][break] Minutes passed as Anotsu gave his undivided attention to the food before him. Finally, his meal halfway finished, he retired his chopsticks momentarily and allowed his gaze to wander so that Koma felt no reservations about continuing his meal. "Good. You've had some sort of interaction, then." A nod of his head. "Soon, I'll be gathering all of you to join me in the field for combat training. You'll be getting to know your Platoon much better." [break][break] There it was. Part of the reason that Anotsu had plucked Koma from his ministrations and provided him a meal. He wanted to leave no impression that it was all business, however, a soft shrug of the shoulders followed by a shake of his head. "I want to know all of you," Anotsu said in the midst of what could be perceived as transaction. "If we're going to face war and fatal situations, it's important to know your peers, to familiarize yourself with them like one would a limb." [break][break] In time, Anotsu hoped to provide the young Genin insight. If into nothing else, he was preparing the boy for interaction. "You won't need to tell them your life's story. But you will, at least, need to build trust and communication. I suppose that you could call this meal together practice." Koma would find a small grin etched upon Anotsu's features before the Jounin continued his meal. [break][break] [8:21AM]
The distinct bitterness of the wasabi was searingly hot. As the steam waft from the surface of the broth, the heat of the herb cleared his sinuses, eyes watering vaguely from the sting. The broth was not rich, but light - leaving the vegetables brewed in its salt to sing without interruption. Koma was making admirable progress through the meal. He didn't waste time. With the silence to have settled, he set himself fully toward the task of eating, and though he didn't approach the whole of the dish with the fervor with which he'd stolen away the choicest of its ingredients, he seemed to have no qualms with the flavors offered to him. It wasn't the typical child's order. Most would turn up their nose at the mention of wasabi, and the lighter flavor of shoyu might lose out to a richer broth, but Koma wasn't raised to be spoiled by such things.[break][break]
He might have been further along by the time Anotsu spoke up. He was content to simply eat, eyes toward his dish as he shoveled down his food in polite a manner as possible to satisfy his empty stomach. At his age, he was always hungry, and by how he could pack it away it seemed he'd be very tall very soon. His gaze drift up from his dish as Anotsu spoke. Ramen drawn near to his lips, he paused, debating whether or not to commit to the bite as he listened. In the end, deference won out, and his chopsticks lowered as he hold his attention toward the jonin seat across from him. He showed no sign of arguing with the words offered him, neither the suggestion of comradery or the man's hopes of knowing the boy. But a feeling had begun to creep over him, a sense of doubt looming at the back of his mind as he considered the words.[break][break]
He was failing this task.[break][break]
"I'm sorry. I didn't know."[break][break]
Koma's brows knit subtle over his eyes, head bowing toward the Uchiha after voicing his apology. While he doubted they were the words the man wanted to hear, it was not enough to see him shy away from the sentiment. The calm echo of his voice sobered further with his humility, the focus of his eyes softened as he work to determine a better course of action.[break][break]
"I agree. If we're going to work together, we should know how each person thinks. It's important to have harmony."[break][break]
It was something the boy had given much thought to, and his quiet delivery of the words gave some suggestion that he might not have just whipped them from thin air.[break][break]
"I don't mean to start an arguement, Uchiha, sir. But I remember your first words as... "You already know who I am.""[break][break]
The line of his brow knit faintly, a fraction of his confusion revealed in the downward pull at the corners of his lips. His gaze searched thoughtful between the man's own as he considered the words a second time - or perhaps a third, a fourth, or a fifth. It was clear he was drinking in every word for contemplation.[break][break]
"I know your name. I know your position. But respectfully, sir," his head dipped in reverence. "I don't know you."[break][break]
The distance that span the empty of his eyes lingered, though his interest was enough to grant it some meager spark of life.
They were on the same page. Anotsu gave no immediate response, the busywork of his chopsticks seeing egg and other manners of ingredients placed at their end and delivered to his mouth. The symphony of rain outside carried the silence for seconds, the Uchiha imperceptibly taking in Koma's words with a certain conviction. The young Genin had begun to more actively engage in the chess match of their introduction. There were more words, the shell of his character cracked just enough for Anotsu to realize that the wisdom imparted had stirred reflection. The chatter of other patrons rang softly through the air as the Jounin continued his meal, stopping at an appropriate interval to reply. "No argument to be had, Koma," Anotsu began. A soft roll of his shoulders, a small slouch developing as the warmth of the wasabi cascaded his torso and offered a consequent relaxation. "That's one of the reasons for our meeting today. It wasn't coincidence, though I surmise that you're already aware of that." [break][break] The pads of his fingertips met the cold of his glass, lifting it to parted lips and sipping the drink with a visible enjoyment. The contrast to his meal was a cold, refreshing moment. Once his thirst had been satisfied, the Uchiha lowered the glass and kept his eye on the beads of water rolling down its sides. "You now know the air about me. You know my expectations. In time, this familiarity will allow us to move like a well-oiled machine. And a solid meal in the process never hurt," the Jounin continued with a grin. "Words, ultimately, will do little for the comradery you'll build with the others. Actions and character will fill in the blanks where vowels and consonants won't." [break][break] It wasn't lost on the Uchiha, the similarities and contrasts between himself and Uzumaki Koma. Anotsu was a practiced social expert. He dealt in information, his clan a troubled and chaotic blood that coursed his veins. Outwardly, however, Anotsu's very presence spoke otherwise. Without indication that he'd become so pensive, the Jounin glanced outside. A figure clad in obsidian met his gaze, nodding before vanishing into thin air. The brief interaction concluded, Anotsu took to finishing what remained of his meal before a sum of ryo was placed at the corner of the table. "I've placed enough here to cover a meal for you and the other members of your Platoon later. Whether you eat with them or alone is up to you." [break][break] Slowly, the Jounin stood and adjusted his clothing. "I've business to attend to," Anotsu began. A hand lofted slowly, settling upon Koma's shoulder as the Uchiha's eyes fell upon the Genin's own. "One day at a time, Koma. Move forward at your own pace, but don't get left behind by the stride of your responsibilities. Much like the kittens in the alley....you have to do it for yourself because no one else will." [break][break] A small nod, and Uchiha Anotsu made a casual stride into the seemingly perpetual downpour outside. Upon crossing the threshold, he seemingly vanished into thin air with a Shunshin. Shortly after, the waitress arrived to collect her portion of the ryo for their meal and left the Genin with a smile. [break][break] [9:25AM]
That Anotsu had relaxed enough to settle anything resembling a slouch did not pull the genin's eyes from his own, though no doubt the shift in posture had been noted. Koma himself made no move to follow suit, rather determined in maintaining his upright posture as he eased his chilling noodles back into the warmth of the lightly flavored shoyu. What fraction of progress had been made between them allowed for some trace of calculation to flicker in his eyes, the Uchiha's words scribed for later contemplation even as he spoke.[break][break]
The furrowed brow of the genin was purposeful. It would have been a simple matter to hide it, but given Anotsu's display, it seemed wrong to disguise the full of his thoughts. The grin the man offered was a source of confusion for him, and as his lips set to a small pout he watched on in stillness, mulling over how best to answer his superior's thoughts. With the words of advice offered, he abandoned the thought of response altogether, withdrawing his eyes a moment to take a bite from what little remained of his ramen. The pale of its broth rest low in the bowl for the lack of noodles to have previously made the meal's bulk, and as his eyes studied his progress, he slurped up the length of the ramen into his mouth.[break][break]
His gaze turned toward the money as it was set to the table, the pinch of his brow furthered as he direct his gaze up toward Anotsu. His mouth was too busy chewing to offer an answer straight away, but he was sure to speak as soon as he'd cleared the bite he'd been working on. Maybe he'd have been quicker on the draw if not for the hand that settled at his shoulder. The weave of his brows rest smooth at the gesture, his body vaguely tense as he forbid his shoulder to set rigid under the man's touch. He was doing his best to remain at ease, though the fact might not be lost to such a keen eye as the man across from him.[break][break]
Koma found himself averting his gaze in an effort to regroup, frown subtle at his lips as he debate how best to respond.[break][break]
"Thank you. Mister Uchiha."[break][break]
He had plenty enough strength to meet his eyes once more, the line of his brows drawn a fraction tighter for his determination.[break][break]
"I'll do my best."[break][break]
And just like that, it seemed the man was gone. Koma's eyes set for the money left behind, measuring it a moment before he pocket it for later, and with the arrival of the waitress - he payed the tab as requested, bowing his head toward the woman in formal gratitude.[break][break]
By the time he got home, it seemed the milk he'd been sent to acquire was no longer fresh.
[attr="class","glassslipperkoma"]— anotsu uchiha[break]thanks for the thread!
