THERE IS THAT TERRIBLE MEME ON PLURK

[aprettyred]

Anna realizes something isn't right when Mikoto's ghost isn't in its usual spot.

The couch is empty of even half his form, which was the occasionally entertaining case when someone sat in the ghost. Anna looks around the room - she does that often enough that it isn't too odd.

Mikoto is standing in the door to the bar, as if barring entry. Except... he's facing inward. He would be preventing someone from leaving, if he could interact with the world anymore. So.

... Something isn't right with someone in her clan. Anna starts paying more attention to the thoughts of her family, trying to find the thing that had the lazy ghost of a king looking so intense.

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[toremainbehind]

Keeping himself busy at his bar isn't difficult for Izumo to do.

There's always work to be done, but with how calm everything has been lately, Izumo finds himself allowing his mind to stray more. He's learned before not to let his thoughts wander, otherwise Anna will pick it up as soon as she starts to pay attention. However, at the same time, he couldn't help it when he didn't have anything in particular to focus on.

A thought lingers in his mind - one that's been there for a few days now.

Izumo himself isn't quite sure why it's there, but it lingers, echoing in his mind and he starts to feel the weight of it on his shoulders.

But it's quickly dismissed once he notices Anna suddenly appearing more attentive.

"Anna? What's wrong?"

[aprettyred]

An unfortunate part of reality for HOMRA - their little red King picks up far more than they are probably ever comfortable thinking about. (The true reason no one ever dates at the bar. Not only is it like bringing the datemate home to meet Mom, the small child is aware of thoughts.)

But that thought. That thought that she only caught a fraction of... She doesn't like it in the slightest. She studies the last of the founders for a moment. She knows lies, and doesn't particularly like them, but this is Izumo, who hides behind his bar and his sunglasses, and his smiles that promise bad things to those who pry.

"I heard Yata." Of course, there is helpfully loud Clansmen to allow her to deflect. That's fine.

... She should find where Tatara had wandered off. If both of the haunters of the bar are doing odd things, then she is sure there is something up.

[toremainbehind]

He sighs when she mentioned Yata, only all too aware of how louder he's beginning to get again after Anna became their new King.

The reminder of it has him pause, just barely though before he resumes cleaning his wine glasses.

"He's just being his usual self. Just ignore him."

It's what Izumo does unless he along with the others messes his bar up somehow.

But he also senses that Anna is hiding something, though he's never the type to pry. If she wishes to say, it's her call, and he'd make sure the princess stays happy until the very end.

[aprettyred]

Anna just "ah"s in agreement - it really isn't something about Yata she needs to pay attention to. It is clearly Izumo.

Very clearly Izumo, as the little things she picks up keep piling higher.

.... She needs to pick up more to be very sure of this unfortunate picture she's getting. Maybe - "What is dinner?"

[toremainbehind]

"Something with fish - I haven't been able ta decide yet," Izumo answers casually, eyes sliding over in order to gaze at the clock.

A slight frown before it's replaced with a smile as he looks back over at Anna.

"Are ya craving for anything in particular?"

[aprettyred]

So he's paying attention to time? Hmn.

"That... that Chinese style one, with the name that means it's probably spicy. And covered in red." Because she's predictable as ever.

... Ah, that's where Tatara went. He was standing behind Izumo, making a great big "no" with his arms. Anna was pretty sure that this wasn't a commentary on her food request, as he was the one who introduced her to it... but maybe something about Izumo and his looking at the clock.

[toremainbehind]

Ah, Izumo remembers which dish she's talking about. Totsuka had wanted to experiment with food that time, hopping from hobby to hobby like he always did.

He gives a nod, placing the wine glass back onto the shelf before he starts to move to the back where the kitchen is. He briefly wonders if they have the ingredients, faintly recalling the last time they went out grocery shopping. Yata and Kamamoto had been taking over the kitchen lately, so he needs to be sure.

"D'ya wanna get any dessert after?"

watch as we manage to completely derail our original plan via SO MUCH CUTE

[aprettyred]

Hmmm. Anna does like deserts.

"Together? And we can bring some back for who watches the bar?"

She.. wants to keep an eye on Izumo. But, sweets.

the cute must be had!

[toremainbehind]

He gives a genuine smile. "O'course we can."

Because who can ever say no to Anna? "'sides, it'd do us some good ta get out for a bit and get some fresh air."

Even if winter is settling in and it makes the weather colder; Izumo thinks it's still good to take Anna out since she's been cooped up in the bar for a while.