diatu | The Potbellied Emperor [Closed to Eleven, Hendrik, and Jecht.]

The Potbellied Emperor [Closed to Eleven, Hendrik, and Jecht.]

The place was not a dingy one--as if Yotsuyu would ever allow herself to be seen in a place that was run down and dingy. Still, it was not overpowering in its decor, either. The walls were simple and whitewashed, though the paintings and Noan calligraphy on display were elegant. There were a great number of carved partitions that separated the dining room into private areas where patrons could be seated and dine. Bamboo plants were placed around to give life and greenery to the place, and in certain corners, they were accompanied by very real scarlet lilies, to catch the eye and give a pop of color--one echoed by the strings of drying bird chiles that criss-crossed the restaurant. Perhaps the centerpiece was the fountain centered in the restaurant, upon which was seated a statue of its namesake--Huayuan, a generations-past emperor of Noa, seated, with his robes somewhat open (tastefully, less the place's reputation be smirched) to expose the place's namesake. Indeed, Huayuan was possessed of a pot belly, both in the paintings that depicted him in life, and the statued namesake that sat above the fountain and the small fishpond that served to give the place atmosphere.

All in all, a quaint little place, one that might be overlooked because it was small and unassuming--until a person's nose caught the rich scents perfuming the air.

This was where the Witch of Doma had invited her...friends? Well, they counted her a friend, and she certainly returned the sentiment, and so perhaps it was not so strange. In truth, she only hoped that the three men would get along...

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Asking after Yotsuyu when he stepped into the restaurant led him to follow an attendant and let his eyes roam a bit. The layout and decorations echoed familiarity. Some of it from Phnom Nonh, but more recently, Noa.

Eleven gave a wave to Yotsuyu and settled in with a grin. "Thanks for inviting us. It seems like a really nice place. I didn't know they had a Noan restaurant on Anastara."

Hendrik walked in behind his charge, on purpose of course. Keeping an eye on the Luminary and watching his back was of the utmost importance, even if it was a dinner.

His blue-green eyes took in the scenery and the statue and the fish pond were of interest, but first, he had to greet Yotsuyu. And once he saw her, he nodded his head.

"We are honored that you have invited us to dinner."

Jecht arrived just a moment later, by good luck and the feeling that Yotsuyu wasn't one to keep waiting.

"Hey, guys!" Dropping into a chair like he was stress-testing it, Jecht cocked an arm over its back as he grinned at the others. The three of them were practically like a textbook illustration of manners and decorum -- polite, neutral, and crude.

Yotsuyu smiled at Eleven and Hendrik...and then Jecht came in. Shirtless, as usual. She sighed.

"You could not have worn a shirt? Or a vest, at least? Were you planning to bathe in the soup?" Those words could only be directed at Jecht.

She was, very distantly, regretting not just having them all over to dinner on campus. This could not be good. Still, she turned another smile on the other two.

"This is a bit like the food from where I lived as well, so I thought it might be...interesting to share with you all."

"Hello, Jecht," Eleven said, surprised to see him here of all places- and.. under-dressed for the occasion. But now that he thought about it, the few times he'd seen the man, he was shirtless every time.

His mom would never have let him get away with that, and Eleven failed to suppress a smile when Yotsuyu lectured him for it. He tried to make the expression more polite and friendly at least.

"I didn't know you were friends," he cut in, sensing tension enough for an argument. "I don't know if you've met Hendrik..?"

Hendrik said nothing as the other man came in, but he nodded his head in greeting. The man hadn't said his name until Yotsuyu sounded somewhat exasperated and the knight had to admit to himself that he was glad he wasn't underdressed. There was no way that he wanted that tone directed at him personally.

From experience, Hendrik knew that Yotsuyu knew good food, having had some with her at the fair. But he said nothing about it. Instead, he looked at Yotsuyu and nodded. "I am sure that whatever you have worked hard on will be good." Had he known she was doing such a thing he would've insisted on helping though that probably would've meant him tripping over her in feeble attempts at assistance.

He was surprised that the Luminary knew this man named Jecht but then again the other had the advantage of having been here longer. How this was possible he couldn't explain it and after several repeated attempts at doing so, he'd given himself quite the headache, so he had given up..of sorts.

And as Eleven said something, the knight returned his gaze to the shirtless man with another nod. "I am Hendrik." 'Knight of Heliodor and oathsworn protector of the Luminary.' went unsaid.

Edited 2019-04-23 00:37 (UTC)

"Shirts are overrated! Besides, the guy this place is named for is lettin' it all hang out, and he doesn't have nearly the pecs I've got." He offered a lazy wave towards Eleven, then spent a moment sizing up the other guy. Big sort of guy, already seemed like he had a stick up his ass. Kinda reminded him of Auron back when they first met, actually, which meant Jecht felt like giving him a chance.

"Name's Jecht," he said with a cocky grin, jabbing his chest with a thumb. "Unless you're talking blitzball or bala-inlota, then it's the Great Jecht!"

"I was not aware you desired to be a mascot," Yotsuyu said, perhaps a bit too sweetly, as she bared a grin at Jecht. She also rolled her eyes--did the man know nothing about social niceties? No, wait, the truth was he probably cared little for such things. She sighed again.

"Yes, yes, your games. Eleven, Hendrik, this is Jecht, as if he has not just introduced himself. We met...actually, did Gosetsu not harass your familiar?" The snake, as ever, was pretending to be a belt for his mistress, though the black oildrop eyes were open and alert as ever.

"So, I am sure someone will be by for drink orders shortly...I will probably be having tea." And she passed out menus to the others, as Yotsuyu had commandeered the table as a matter of course.

Eleven accepted the menu with a smile and eagerly flipped it open.

"We've met a time or two," he assured, eyes flicking over the restaurant's selection. "Did you join a team then, Jecht?"

The knight wasn't sure what was going on with Yotsuyu and Jecht but he wanted no part of it at all. And it was another mental reminder to not get on her bad side. And maybe they were doing some sort of..courtship ritual. Hendrik couldn't be sure, but it wasn't his business and he wasn't going to ask.

So he took his menu and started to look over the selections, but mainly the fare was unfamiliar to him. Thankfully there were tiny descriptions and the knight simply listened.

Jecht nodded to Yotsuyu -- she had it right, they'd met when Gosetsu had harassed Blitzball.
But the sport question had his attention. "I'm on the second string of the school team," he said, both irritated he was so low-ranked and trying to be mature about needing to prove himself. "Ain't much but I'll get up there."

Yotsuyu wasn't wrong--there was a young waiter who strode up to the table, offered them all a smile and a bow, and asked patiently for their drink orders. She gave hers to the man, and then turned her gaze to Jecht again.

"I imagine it is not your physical prowess that is holding you back, when it comes to bala-inlota. How is the spellwork involved progressing?"

For once, she actually wasn't trying to slam him, simply asking a question. It wasn't as if she didn't come to his games, as it were.

Eleven hurriedly glanced at the menu for the drink options and asked for the first thing he could pronounce easily.

"I still haven't watched a game," he chimed in. "But maybe I will, now that I know someone on one of the teams."

Hendrik was continuing to listen and his eyes lit up behind the menu as he recognized one of the foods that he'd shared with Yotsuyu when they were at the parade. So he would definitely order that.

But as far as the drinks went, he simply ordered tea and listened. He would try and learn a little more about the game before approaching Jecht with the topic.

"Come on, you're missing out!" Jecht had to answer the kid first, though he turned to Yotsuyu to appeal to her. "Make sure he gets to one, okay? I mean, come on."

What did these people even do for fun!

"I'm getting the hang of some tiny stuff, but I ain't up to the level of people who've been practicing for years yet. That's why I stay physical."

"We should all go to see you, then." Lifting her gaze to give Hendrik a look from across the table, tacitly inviting him to see Jecht play, as well. "Not that I think you would let Eleven go unaccompanied, I suppose."

She looked over at Eleven, then. "I was not aware you had tried plum wine." Though that was not one of the heavier varieties, so Yotsuyu was not about to change his order. Though she did order a pitcher of water, since Jecht had not spoken up. He could always choose something once the waiter returned to take their food orders.

"Some 'tiny stuff'?" She arched a brow at the big man, then.

He blinked. "..Is that what it is? Well, it sounds good."

Eleven glanced to Hendrik, for once unbothered by the idea of being accompanied unnecessarily. It could be fun for both of them. He turned a grin on Jecht.

"You'll have to let us know when your next game is."

Hendrik's gaze caught Yotsuyu's and he caught her meaning. But he inwardly wondered why she would invite him. And at her comment, the knight shook his head. "He can go if he is accompanied by you." This statement spoke volumes about how much he trusted her.

And finally, he spoke to Jecht. "I would be interested to see how this sport is played and how it inspires such dedication."

"I just get to play in the scrimmages so far. After classes towards the end of the week, usually." He slumped down into his chair, making himself comfortable and at home. Classy ain't his forte. "It works though, learning stuff like how to make hits count for more. I'm not bad at that sort of thing, goes with my natural leanings."

"Plum wine is good, it simply comes in a few different kinds. Which have different levels of alcohol. This one should not give you a big head, should you indulge heartily." Which wasn't to say it wasn't alcoholic at all. Just gentle, as those things went.

Then, she snorted. "Hendrik. If you are interested in seeing how it is played, why not come with and watch a game? Then you might see if you can join a team as well." It made sense to her, at least. Especially since he evinced some interest in that sort of thing, too.

The waiter returned with their assorted beverages, and a pitcher of water, waiting politely while he jotted down their orders.

Eleven was frankly surprised he had been allowed to order it. Perhaps it was due to its light alcoholic content.

And though it rankled that Hendrik was insistent that Yotsuyu could play minder, he'd leave it off for now.

"Come with us, Hendrik." And all right, maybe he'd get in a little revenge. "You could use a hobby."

Edited 2019-05-12 04:51 (UTC)

"That sounds like a plan." This was said to Yotsuyu and the thought of joining a team provided he had the time to dedicate himself to such a thing was a question. His first loyalty was to the Luminary who was now commenting that he needed a hobby.

Because he was in mixed company, Hendrik watched his words and his tone and looked directly at Eleven.

"Indeed. If I find that I have time for the hobby I shall do so. But having fun is not the first thing in my mind. My duty always comes first."

"Oh, come on. You got yanked to another world to learn magic in a crazy place like this," Jecht said, grinning lazily. "Live a little. You gotta unbend and relax every now and then!"

That message might very well be intended for more than just Hendrik.

Yotsuyu just settled her eyes on Jecht and let the glare bore into him.

Not that he'd actually notice. He was probably feeling smug with how he'd phrased that, but she caught it, oh, yes.

"I understand that your duty comes first, Hendrik. You know I would not do anything to interfere with that. But at least we here, I believe, all know how important that is." Even Jecht. Yotsuyu imagined if he'd been appraised of the importance, he'd at least treat that with some seriousness.

Not that he did anything else.

Eleven swallowed under Hendrik's stern gaze, his unspoken title and the knight's oath weighing over his shoulders. He dropped his eyes to the table and sampled his drink in an effort to quell the uncertainty turning over his stomach.

"I can protect myself," he muttered into his mug, frowning.

He wasn't terribly hungry, suddenly.

The knight's gaze went from Jecht to Yotsuyu to Eleven. But the truth of the matter was that he didn't know how to unbend and relax. His life had been duty and following orders.

He'd sworn an oath that he was going to keep and only Yotsuyu managed to get through to him. Still, he looked away and focused on the table.

"Perhaps you are correct." But still, he wasn't sure how to do such a thing because it wasn't included in his oath.

"Okay, okay." Jecht leaned back in his chair, looking over the three of 'em. "Somebody tell me the deal, here. It's like wet blankets are wet enough for this gathering all of a sudden!"

"You are a dolt," Yotsuyu informed Jecht. As if the man did not already know. "A wet blanket? You have an inkling of why I am, and gods know, he is bound up by his duty." With that, she gestured to Hendrik, although she certainly was not angered at him.

Eleven...she let him keep his own counsel. Partly because she did not know, and the other part? He looked woeful enough already. He did not need her help to drown in that cup of plum wine he had.

"I know you choose to just ignore your past, but for some of us, it is not so easy!" The kami knew it was not so for her.

Eleven's shoulders hunched and he straightened self-consciously.

"Sorry. I'm okay." He cast around for another topic of conversation, looking anywhere but Hendrik until his eyes landed on the decorations strewn about the restaurant.

"..Have any of you been to Noa before?"

He wasn't sure why he was being called out here, but Hendrik just sat there. It was half on his mind to excuse himself and he would if he could keep cutting the tension in the room with a knife.

He looked up at Yotsuyu as she mentioned him but wasn't sure what was going on. Why did she seem upset? Just because Jecht didn't have the duties he himself did?

It was half on the knight's mind to rescue her too, but there was nothing he could really rescue her from, even if her comment about her past made him sad and uneasy.

The Luminary had said..something, but the knight just sat there in silence, contemplating cutting dinner short.

Man, he didn't get it. No one died because some people lightened up a little. Sheesh!

"Nope. I ended up in some place with castle and towers and stuff all over. Can't remember the name because it was totally unpronouncable. Lot of rare letters involved."

"I arrived in a country called Imathia, on the coast. There was a lot of fish," Yotsuyu said with a sniff. "Beyond that, it was rather pleasant. Temperate, if a bit rainy. I enjoyed my time there, short though it was. Noa reminds me more of my homeland, though, which is why I asked you here." It was a bit like Doma, at least in its cuisine, or so she thought.

She hadn't intended it as an attack, Hendrik! Only that you had a duty that you took very seriously. She hadn't thought that she was incorrect...

Eleven nodded, trying desperately to ignore the silent, weighted air next to him. It somehow managed to rival the pit in his stomach, and neither seemed willing to right themselves.

"I arrived in Noa," he supplied. "The Empress is a nice person, and ensured I arrived here safely. The flight over took a few hours, but perhaps we could visit sometime."

Dinner parties were never his thing. He did them as was required of course but this wasn't that. He didn't want to sit and make small talk, because that wasn't his thing either. But Hendrik didn't have any duties to attend to as he could have used back home to excuse himself and get out of things.

If he left he figured the Luminary was in safe hands. So the knight finally stood and bowed slightly to Yotsuyu.

"I apologize, but I must go. I have matters to attend to and I thank you for dinner and the company that you have provided."

Turning to the Luminary, he patted him on the shoulder before he left. "I will see you for training tomorrow."

"The hell...?"

Jecht stared at Hendrik, then glanced back to Yotsuyu and Eleven with an expression that clearly said, 'you guys got ANY explanation for him?'.

To judge by her expression, no, Yotsuyu had no explanation for this, and was just as startled as the others.

Well, she'd simply have to do her best to keep up appearances, wouldn't she? Clearing her throat a moment, Yotsuyu shook her head briefly and tried to smile. "I thank you as well for coming, Hendrik. I shall see you at the Academy."

She guessed. Clearly she was not as good at dinner parties as she had hoped...

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The Potbellied Emperor [Closed to Eleven, Hendrik, and Jecht.]

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