(you can pm me here or on plurk if you'd like to beforehand, but also if you'd just like to drop something at my doorstep with no preamble please do!!)
[ Oh! She stops all of the sudden, turning on her heels to give Maruki a polite, well-practiced bow. ]
It's really nice to meet you, Dr. Maruki. I'm Shion.
[ Okay, they can keep walking now. Only needed to mind her manners real quick, there. She'll look back up at him with eyes just as big and curious, though, reaching to grab ahold of his pant leg so she doesn't go walking all hither and thither while not keeping her eyes in front of her. ]
You don't help people...? What kind of doctor are you?
[ Maruki holds back his laughter, gives her a little bow back–
And then she's clinging to his pantleg. It's impossibly cute, but unnecessary. Maruki offers her his hand. ]
No, I do help people! Or, I try to, at any rate... [ He doesn't want to sound like he has a big head, after all. ] I work with people who have wounds in their hearts and minds. The kind that you can't see. So it isn't like your papa who can set a broken bone– or invent a medicine!
[ Ah, he would be rich if he could invent a medicine... ]
Hearts and minds... [ She repeats. It's clearly a brand new idea to her, and she needs a second or two to start rotating it around in her head. It even takes her until she looks back up to ask a question to realize the hand's been offered. Oh!
Yes, please and thank you. Hand holding is very nice. But back to the topic at hand, ]
But...if you can't see it, how do you find it so you can help?
[ That's the million yen question, isn't it? Do you want to be his cognitive psience research assistant, Shion???
They have to pause to wait for a crosswalk, for the fabled Ye Olde Triple Seven is across the street, so he looks down at her inquisitive little face with a smile. ]
People have to be able to tell me about what's hurting them. Part of being the type of doctor I am is knowing how to talk to people about things like that. If someone can tell me what's making them upset, then I know how to help.
[ She's following, she's following, nodding along as Maruki explains...she thinks? It makes sense, if you don't know where it's hurting then the person hurting should be able to tell you so you can do something about it. But at the same time... ]
What if they can't tell you? What if they don't know where it is?
[ The signal changes and the small crowd begins to move across the street. Maruki guides her toward that beacon of snacks, considers her astute questions for a few moments longer before answering. ]
If they don't know where it is, I can try to help them find it. It's not easy, but that's why I do it. I'm sure your dad's job isn't easy all the time either, right?
[ She thinks that one over too, so absorbed in thought she doesn't react as strongly as she expected to their destination right in front of them, the telltale sign advertising a special limited time maple flavor doughnut box plastered out front. ]
Mm. It's hard sometimes, like now. That's why he's sleeping.
[ That train of thought continues chugging down the tracks for a few more moments, and visibly hits a stop before Shion looks back up at Maruki as if she's just made a big decision. ]
[ Or it certainly seems hard with her still limited understanding. Hard workers deserve a lil treat!
Lil treats that are indeed expensive, and Maruki doesn't seem too pleased at the price. Hm. With all the subtlety of a child and an idea they're excited about, she tries carefully opening up her coin purse again to take another count of its contents, fifty, fifty-five, a hundred... ]
She quickly tries to hide the purse from sight so she can keep counting once Maruki isn't looking, but. She is not a graceful creature. Several coins slip out for the effort, and without thinking she leans over to try and snatch them back up--
Only for even more to start falling out. Oh. Oh no, oh geez...! ]
[ Good news: Maruki is a good guy. Of course he's going to start helping to collect the coins that begin to fall all over the place.
Bad news: He's even less graceful, any proprioception he should have over her due to his age offset by his inherent gangly clumsiness that he's never managed to overcome. He trips over his own feet trying to grab for one of the coins rolling away under a nearby display stand and clatters into it, bags of shrimp chips raining down on his head as he hits the ground. ]
She almost repeats the same mistake only seconds later, but manages to have enough foresight to set her purse down on the floor so it's still open but she doesn't run the risk of spilling any more things to pick up. There's so many now!
Inspecting one of the coins she picks up for just a second, though, she seems to pause. Then quietly, as if she's whispering to the coin in her hand, ]
[ Oh, this is a fine mess they've made. Maruki's still scrabbling about for the coins that have gone all helter skelter when he hears Shion whispering, to–
To what? There's no one around, the one worker behind the counter a clearly unimpressed teenager who has no interest in the havoc they're wreaking. ]
Shion-chan? What happened? You didn't skin your knee, did you?
[ Her first instinct is to hide the hand against her chest, insistently shaking her head. No no, nothing happened, everything is fine.
But not shortly after Maruki asks that, something feels. Strange.
There's a sudden, sharp pressure in the palm of his own hand, like a weak bug's bite yet somehow reversed, as if that bug was trying to make its way out rather than in. It pushes, and pushes, until the skin painlessly breaks and--
[ Indeed it does! It even crinkles in a smile up at Maruki as its iris bobs up and down, maybe trying to say 'yes! it's me!'
Shion meanwhile is confused at the sudden shock, looking back and forth between the palm of her hand and Maruki all of the sudden staring at his own? What an odd series of events, unless...
She cups her mouth with her other hand, so secretive, ] Doctor Maruki, do you...do you know my papa?
[ Head empty. No thoughts. Just staring at one of Akira's eyes, utterly flabbergasted, until Shion whispers to him.
It takes a few more seconds for him to look away, as if staring at it any longer will either make it go away or make this make any sort of sense by causing the man himself to appear, but then– ]
Ah, I...
[ Oh, wait. They're whispering! He cups his non-eyeballed hand over his mouth as well, lowers his voice. ]
I guess it turns out that I do. Your father is Takahashi Akira, isn't he? The–
[ WHAT IF SHE SOMEHOW DOESN'T KNOW HE'S A YOUKAI DOCTOR. ]
The...
[ ........ BUT WAIT, WHAT IF SHE'S A YOUKAI TOO? ]
She fervently nods, scooting a little closer to Maruki on the floor so they don't have to strain too hard for their top secret whisper session. And just as carefully, she'll hold her hand at an angle just for the two of them, revealing the very same red eye in the middle of her tiny palm. ]
Papa can't do this unless you know him. Right?
[ Not exactly, but close enough for it to once again 'nod'. Shion's smile brightens, warms at that--proper youkai society and its rules are still somewhat new to her, but one thing that was hammered in very quickly is how they need to keep themselves secret from humans. Finding someone her papa trusts enough to say hello with his eyes to...yup. This is somebody very, very safe. ]
[ Well, Maruki didn't know that Akira could do this at all, but sure! That makes sense! Well, why not. The eyes aren't localized to his body and its surroundings, they can appear on anything he has familiarity with. YEAH OKAY ALRIGHT SURE.
He draws a deep, calming breath, then nods firmly. ]
That's right. Your papa is a good man, Shion-chan.
[ He does at least firmly believe that. He wouldn't waste time on Akira if that wasn't at least close to the truth in his eyes.
He moves to pick up a fallen box of donuts with his non-eyeball'd hand and smiles at her. ]
Shall we buy this and then I can make sure you get back to him safely?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
It's really nice to meet you, Dr. Maruki. I'm Shion.
[ Okay, they can keep walking now. Only needed to mind her manners real quick, there. She'll look back up at him with eyes just as big and curious, though, reaching to grab ahold of his pant leg so she doesn't go walking all hither and thither while not keeping her eyes in front of her. ]
You don't help people...? What kind of doctor are you?
no subject
And then she's clinging to his pantleg. It's impossibly cute, but unnecessary. Maruki offers her his hand. ]
No, I do help people! Or, I try to, at any rate... [ He doesn't want to sound like he has a big head, after all. ] I work with people who have wounds in their hearts and minds. The kind that you can't see. So it isn't like your papa who can set a broken bone– or invent a medicine!
[ Ah, he would be rich if he could invent a medicine... ]
no subject
Yes, please and thank you. Hand holding is very nice. But back to the topic at hand, ]
But...if you can't see it, how do you find it so you can help?
no subject
They have to pause to wait for a crosswalk, for the fabled Ye Olde Triple Seven is across the street, so he looks down at her inquisitive little face with a smile. ]
People have to be able to tell me about what's hurting them. Part of being the type of doctor I am is knowing how to talk to people about things like that. If someone can tell me what's making them upset, then I know how to help.
no subject
What if they can't tell you? What if they don't know where it is?
no subject
[ The signal changes and the small crowd begins to move across the street. Maruki guides her toward that beacon of snacks, considers her astute questions for a few moments longer before answering. ]
If they don't know where it is, I can try to help them find it. It's not easy, but that's why I do it. I'm sure your dad's job isn't easy all the time either, right?
no subject
Mm. It's hard sometimes, like now. That's why he's sleeping.
[ That train of thought continues chugging down the tracks for a few more moments, and visibly hits a stop before Shion looks back up at Maruki as if she's just made a big decision. ]
You should have a doughnut too, Dr. Maruki.
no subject
You think so? Maybe I'll buy one for myself, then!
[ The beautiful, calming fluorescence of a conbini... The neatly arranged aisles and colorful packaging... It's heaven in its own way.
Maruki picks up one of the donut boxes, turns it over in his hands– and then baulks at the price tag. ]
I forgot how expensive limited edition snacks are...!
[ NO, HE WILL NOT BE GETTING A DONUT TOO, ACTUALLY. Oh his aching underemployment...... ]
no subject
[ Or it certainly seems hard with her still limited understanding. Hard workers deserve a lil treat!
Lil treats that are indeed expensive, and Maruki doesn't seem too pleased at the price. Hm. With all the subtlety of a child and an idea they're excited about, she tries carefully opening up her coin purse again to take another count of its contents, fifty, fifty-five, a hundred... ]
no subject
[ Oh, but it's a very weak protest, despite his embarrassment. ]
What would your father think if you spent your money on a stranger?
no subject
She quickly tries to hide the purse from sight so she can keep counting once Maruki isn't looking, but. She is not a graceful creature. Several coins slip out for the effort, and without thinking she leans over to try and snatch them back up--
Only for even more to start falling out. Oh. Oh no, oh geez...! ]
no subject
[ Good news: Maruki is a good guy. Of course he's going to start helping to collect the coins that begin to fall all over the place.
Bad news: He's even less graceful, any proprioception he should have over her due to his age offset by his inherent gangly clumsiness that he's never managed to overcome. He trips over his own feet trying to grab for one of the coins rolling away under a nearby display stand and clatters into it, bags of shrimp chips raining down on his head as he hits the ground. ]
Oh no...!!
no subject
She almost repeats the same mistake only seconds later, but manages to have enough foresight to set her purse down on the floor so it's still open but she doesn't run the risk of spilling any more things to pick up. There's so many now!
Inspecting one of the coins she picks up for just a second, though, she seems to pause. Then quietly, as if she's whispering to the coin in her hand, ]
It's okay. It's okay. I promise.
no subject
To what? There's no one around, the one worker behind the counter a clearly unimpressed teenager who has no interest in the havoc they're wreaking. ]
Shion-chan? What happened? You didn't skin your knee, did you?
no subject
But not shortly after Maruki asks that, something feels. Strange.
There's a sudden, sharp pressure in the palm of his own hand, like a weak bug's bite yet somehow reversed, as if that bug was trying to make its way out rather than in. It pushes, and pushes, until the skin painlessly breaks and--
Will he look? ]
no subject
[ Oh, he's looking alright! Looking and then YELPING, loud enough to draw that bored teenage cashier's attention.
An all too familiar red eye stares back at him, and all Maruki can do it gape down at it. ]
Takahashi-san?
no subject
Shion meanwhile is confused at the sudden shock, looking back and forth between the palm of her hand and Maruki all of the sudden staring at his own? What an odd series of events, unless...
She cups her mouth with her other hand, so secretive, ] Doctor Maruki, do you...do you know my papa?
no subject
It takes a few more seconds for him to look away, as if staring at it any longer will either make it go away or make this make any sort of sense by causing the man himself to appear, but then– ]
Ah, I...
[ Oh, wait. They're whispering! He cups his non-eyeballed hand over his mouth as well, lowers his voice. ]
I guess it turns out that I do. Your father is Takahashi Akira, isn't he? The–
[ WHAT IF SHE SOMEHOW DOESN'T KNOW HE'S A YOUKAI DOCTOR. ]
The...
[ ........ BUT WAIT, WHAT IF SHE'S A YOUKAI TOO? ]
The... doctor.
[ Nailed it! ]
no subject
She fervently nods, scooting a little closer to Maruki on the floor so they don't have to strain too hard for their top secret whisper session. And just as carefully, she'll hold her hand at an angle just for the two of them, revealing the very same red eye in the middle of her tiny palm. ]
Papa can't do this unless you know him. Right?
[ Not exactly, but close enough for it to once again 'nod'. Shion's smile brightens, warms at that--proper youkai society and its rules are still somewhat new to her, but one thing that was hammered in very quickly is how they need to keep themselves secret from humans. Finding someone her papa trusts enough to say hello with his eyes to...yup. This is somebody very, very safe. ]
no subject
He draws a deep, calming breath, then nods firmly. ]
That's right. Your papa is a good man, Shion-chan.
[ He does at least firmly believe that. He wouldn't waste time on Akira if that wasn't at least close to the truth in his eyes.
He moves to pick up a fallen box of donuts with his non-eyeball'd hand and smiles at her. ]
Shall we buy this and then I can make sure you get back to him safely?