Week Seven - Austria's Room - Fuyuhiko Kuzuryuu

[ladyofthehouse]

[Today's gathering with be featuring sachertorte paired with einspaenner coffee.]

I don't see why you find this sort of thing so embarrassing, really.

There's nothing shameful about partaking in my baking.

Comments

[impheired]

People'd laugh their asses off at the idea of a yakuza heir liking sweets. [So...it's another image thing, apparently. What ISN'T this kid sensitive about as far as image goes, holy hell.] It's just...not what's expected.

[ladyofthehouse]

[When it comes to protecting one's image, Austria's really right up there with you Kazoo.]

If you're the boss can't you do what you want?

[impheired]

Well aside from the fact that I'm not the boss yet...you want people to take you seriously, y'know? Especially if you're the one in charge.

[ladyofthehouse]

Mhm... ja. [Austria taps her fork against her lip.]

When I was married I used to be in charge of a bustling household. Presenting a certain image of strength and being someone who could be looked up to became important... especially as a woman.

[impheired]

Well I can't...really speak to being a woman because I'm obviously not, but...yeah. You got it. When you're in charge of people, there's a certain image you have to uphold. [He takes a bite of cake, chewing quietly before speaking again.]

But it's not even just presenting that image, really. You have to...actually have the ability to back it up. I don't just want to seem strong. Especially not just because of my position. I want to be strong. Strong enough to actually deserve that position, regardless of bloodright.

[ladyofthehouse]

I think you already have many qualities that are befitting of a good leader Herr Kuzuryuu.

[impheired]

Mmm... I think I've got...some of 'em down, at this point.

[There are some qualities though that, as much as he hates to admit it, even he knows he needs to work on.]

...Kinda funny hearing that from you though, now that I think about it. Since I'm so immature I can't possibly be in high school, right?

[ladyofthehouse]

Well if we're going to pull from things we said from when we first met, I'd wonder why you're taking the opinion of someone with a death wish to heart.

Although I think I forgot some of your more colorful language choices.

[impheired]

Yeah, you did. But I won't hold it against you, I know how you get about language.

But I was just teasing, even somebody like me is capable of that, y'know. It's pretty obvious we've both changed our minds as far as that goes.

[HE WAS TRYING TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD A LITTLE, OKAY? And maybe not talk about himself so much.]

[ladyofthehouse]

Ja.... it seems as though we'd misjudged.

[Austria pokes at her cake, before setting it down on the table.]

[impheired]

...something wrong?

[ladyofthehouse]

Hmm?

Oh I just lost my appetite thinking about all the ways someone might use to kill someone with a pen.

[She can tease too.]

[impheired]

[Kuzuryuu nearly chokes on a piece of sachertorte. Whether that was due to stifling a laugh or some weird form of embarrassment, we just may never know.]

N...not one of my best threats, was it? [Is it sad that he can think of a few ways to manage it, though?]

[ladyofthehouse]

Nein.

But even despite your birth-rite, I don't think you're the kind of person who would do that sort of thing of their own volition.

[impheired]

Well not with a pen, no. Too much effort unless you're trying to prove a point.

[Yes...just focus on the pen and not the fact that he doesn't really want to kill anybody, period.]

[ladyofthehouse]

I know you can't speak of certain things, Herr Kuzuryuu. However I was hoping you might sate my curiosity.

Did you fail trivia on purpose?

[impheired]

Now why would I do something like that? Something like that wouldn't be very helpful to everybody else. Between taking stabs in the dark and refusing to answer that one question...there was no way I was going to pass.

[ladyofthehouse]

You're a smart, capable young man.

I suppose... even given the complexity of the questions I was just a little surprised.

[Her lips form a line.]

But even smart capable young men have their off days. I wish that I could have assisted you. Somehow... with what you struggle with.

[impheired]

If you'd helped me, you probably would've just gotten yourself in trouble. You know how seriously they take their rules.

But it doesn't really matter much at this point, does it? I had my off day, but I've been pretty on the ball since then, don't you think?

[He was most helpful this week for a reason, after all.]

So don't worry about it. It's like you said: I'm a smart, capable young man. I'm fine.