[ Who is teaching him about nutrition? If 9S is following Wei Wuxian's unhealthy sugar habit, he needs to be reeducated. ]
Thank you. This is kind of you.
[ Her reserves have been low. He's not wrong about that. If he looks close, there are unmistakable dark circles under her eyes. Not even her impeccable hygiene can hide those. ]
Everyone's been lovely to me today. It's a refreshing change of pace.
[ A small ray of sunshine in this cloudy environment. ]
[ Shigure is a filthy enabler, please direct your complaints to him.
And having had his first acknowledged birthday recently, he understands how nice it is to get a bunch of special treatment heaped on you out of the blue... Birthdays are pretty swell. It doesn't seem right that Shinobu would look so haggard when she should be relaxing, though, and 9S looks around attentively. ]
Is there anything I can help you with while I'm here? Supplies that need organizing? Tools that need cleaning?
[ Can't believe Shigure is going to die for making robots believe in sugar only and dunking into a river with third degree burns.
She smiles. It's a sweet offer. ]
Please don't worry about it. As long as someone doesn't come in because their tongue was cut out or they were shot at, I'll be fine. Let's sit down and enjoy your cake together. Did you make it yourself?
[ Eating a little cake should be... fine... He neglected to bring silverware, though, so he'll try to peek around and see if there's a kitchen nearby he can snoop around in for a knife and forks and what have you. ]
Was it the crookedness of the cake or the unevenness of the icing that gave it away? [ He says it dryly, but with good humor. ] I've been trying my hand at baking lately, so I figured your birthday would be a perfect chance to take a stab at making a cake. It's tougher than it looks, I'll tell you that.
[ What's an android in this world? Shinobu doesn't know, and so she heads into the kitchen and helps him retrieve silverware, so he can cut a slice for himself in the size he wants.
She hands him a plate as well when she comes back. ]
It's more charming when you can see the baker's personality in it. [ She can see the effort, and for her, it is the thought that matters. She won't judge if it tastes awful. ]
Baking is a science, and if you treat it that way, it should come easier.
[ At least, she thinks it'll be easier for 9S to think of it that way. ]
[ He waves her offer away. He already cut the slice, so he'll eat it!! ]
That's all? Then we're only one year apart! I thought you were way older.
[ Technically they're 15 years apart, but. He figured his Montevallo age was accurate to what his android body looks like in human years. it really kind of isn't he's so tiny ]
He taps his fork against his mouth thoughtfully. He's still an extremely poor judge of human age, so he'll just play it safe and estimate... higher. Mizuki didn't want to be treated as young, so the perception of maturity should be more flattering? ]
[ IS IT THAT SENSITIVE AN ISSUE... This is very new and startling information for a being that doesn't grow. Slapping is also a very human, very non-android sentiment that he only knows about in theory, amd its mythical status only makes it seem more dire. He mumbles: ]
[ HE'S BEEN TRYING REAL HARD SINCE DAY ONE... why are people so complicated... Indignation seeps into his voice. ]
Rrgh. Sometimes I think I could use a manual on how people want to be treated. Is there anything else I should know about showing women proper respect?
[ 9S puts a hand to his head like he feels a headache coming on even though he's a full-ass robot. An android being sensitive about her weight would never be a thing... but, he supposes, mankind made diet pills for a reason. The human struggle to expend stored energy must be more serious than he thought. He sighs, already pre-stressed. ]
[ Just say the word... and depending on whether they're in Space or in another world hop, the lesson may be just a little different.
Perhaps Shinobu has to reevaluate her opinion on Nines. This boy... may need more help than thought previously. ]
Even if they are emotional, it is likely for a good reason, and even if it isn't, point out where their logic is flawed instead of telling them they're too emotional, if you feel you must comment on it. I don't recommend it either way.
[ He lets out a defeated sigh. He hasn't had much need to distinguish between male and female personalities among androids, especially since his squadmates in particular were overwhelmingly female, but it seems like there's much more to human gender than he thought. ]
Just keep my mouth shut. Got it.
[ He forks himself up some cake... ]
Has someone ever called you that? "Too emotional," I mean.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I thought your reserves might be a bit low, given everything that's been going on lately, so I figured some cake would be a good pick-me-up.
[ Sugar is good for humans and there are no downsides. That is his understanding of the world of nutrition so far. ]
And of course, happy birthday! I hope everyone's been toning down the stabbings and shootings today. You deserve a little break.
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Thank you. This is kind of you.
[ Her reserves have been low. He's not wrong about that. If he looks close, there are unmistakable dark circles under her eyes. Not even her impeccable hygiene can hide those. ]
Everyone's been lovely to me today. It's a refreshing change of pace.
[ A small ray of sunshine in this cloudy environment. ]
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And having had his first acknowledged birthday recently, he understands how nice it is to get a bunch of special treatment heaped on you out of the blue... Birthdays are pretty swell. It doesn't seem right that Shinobu would look so haggard when she should be relaxing, though, and 9S looks around attentively. ]
Is there anything I can help you with while I'm here? Supplies that need organizing? Tools that need cleaning?
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She smiles. It's a sweet offer. ]
Please don't worry about it. As long as someone doesn't come in because their tongue was cut out or they were shot at, I'll be fine. Let's sit down and enjoy your cake together. Did you make it yourself?
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Was it the crookedness of the cake or the unevenness of the icing that gave it away? [ He says it dryly, but with good humor. ] I've been trying my hand at baking lately, so I figured your birthday would be a perfect chance to take a stab at making a cake. It's tougher than it looks, I'll tell you that.
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She hands him a plate as well when she comes back. ]
It's more charming when you can see the baker's personality in it. [ She can see the effort, and for her, it is the thought that matters. She won't judge if it tastes awful. ]
Baking is a science, and if you treat it that way, it should come easier.
[ At least, she thinks it'll be easier for 9S to think of it that way. ]
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Maybe. I followed the instructions as best as I could, but I guess there's no substitute for skill.
[ He takes the plate and knife and cuts himself... a little slice. Like a 10° angle slice. ]
By the way, how old does this birthday make you?
[ he has no idea how rude this question could potentially be please help him ]
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[ No one is born being perfect in something. There's talent and aptitude, but even then perfection isn't automatic. ]
If you don't like cake, you don't need to eat one with me.
[ She would understand. ]
I'm nineteen now.
[ She's not nearly old enough to tell him how offensive that could be. ]
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That's all? Then we're only one year apart! I thought you were way older.
[ Technically they're 15 years apart, but. He figured his Montevallo age was accurate to what his android body looks like in human years.
it really kind of isn't he's so tiny]no subject
how tall is heShe tilts her head. His question may not have been dangerous, but what he just said is inching towards dangerous territory. ]
How old did you think I was?
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he 5'3" with bootsHe taps his fork against his mouth thoughtfully. He's still an extremely poor judge of human age, so he'll just play it safe and estimate... higher. Mizuki didn't want to be treated as young, so the perception of maturity should be more flattering? ]
Hmm... 30?
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it's fine he's still taller than shinobucloses my eyes
Shinobu's smile freezes. ]
I beg your pardon. Would you like to repeat that?
[ That's his warning he should adjust that estimation. ]
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wtf why is shinobu tinyWelp. Adjusting even higher feels like Ending ZZ, so 9S will gracefully learn his lesson. ]
Uh— 20?
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to condense her rage into a smaller formShe smiles a much less dangerous smile and takes a slice of 9S' attempt at a cake. ]
That's better.
[ Does his cake taste okay? ]
You should be a little more careful when guessing a lady's age.
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His shoulders droop with relieved tension. ]
So I'm learning. Your aura is just really... [ he gestures vaguely at all of her ] mature? You've got a commanding presence!
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She takes her first test bite and chews it slowly. ]
It's a nice first try.
[ Of course it could be better, but she's not going to knock him down for this. She wants to encourage his baking experiments. ]
If you told some other girl my age she was thirty, she may slap you.
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[ IS IT THAT SENSITIVE AN ISSUE... This is very new and startling information for a being that doesn't grow. Slapping is also a very human, very non-android sentiment that he only knows about in theory, amd its mythical status only makes it seem more dire. He mumbles: ]
Yeesh, women really are scary...
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[ She won't dissuade him from thinking this. ]
That's why you should treat women with the utmost respect.
[ It's a lesson in survival. ]
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[ HE'S BEEN TRYING REAL HARD SINCE DAY ONE... why are people so complicated... Indignation seeps into his voice. ]
Rrgh. Sometimes I think I could use a manual on how people want to be treated. Is there anything else I should know about showing women proper respect?
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That is something a little strange for him to say, and it makes Shinobu think. Perhaps he just doesn't spend enough time with women...? ]
You're usually respectful, but don't comment on a woman's weight either.
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Weight? Seriously?
[ 9S puts a hand to his head like he feels a headache coming on even though he's a full-ass robot. An android being sensitive about her weight would never be a thing... but, he supposes, mankind made diet pills for a reason. The human struggle to expend stored energy must be more serious than he thought. He sighs, already pre-stressed. ]
Fine. No mentions about a woman's mass, ever.
[ Why only women though?? ]
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Don't ever call a woman too emotional either.
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Never ever? Statistically, there have to be at least some women who are excessively emotional.
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Perhaps Shinobu has to reevaluate her opinion on Nines. This boy... may need more help than thought previously. ]
Even if they are emotional, it is likely for a good reason, and even if it isn't, point out where their logic is flawed instead of telling them they're too emotional, if you feel you must comment on it. I don't recommend it either way.
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Just keep my mouth shut. Got it.
[ He forks himself up some cake... ]
Has someone ever called you that? "Too emotional," I mean.
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