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[allbite]

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＂Frühling. Make it quick.＂

Comments

[labyrinthos]

Sorry. You don't have to do anything for me.

I've been eating those other things, though. I like vegetables. Preferably when they're still raw.

[allbite]

I will have to regardless, if your habits persist.

Some vegetables have to be cooked before being eaten. However, I'm certain none you eat raw will make you as sick as eating shampoo would. Just be sure to wash them before putting them on a plate.

Is that all you wanted to ask?

[labyrinthos]

Thank you. I appreciate the guidance. I didn't know about the washing. [Kaworu still feels rather ill, but at least he isn't vomiting everywhere anymore. Drinking (relatively) more water and sleeping (almost) every night has helped to stabilize his bodily functions.

He has so many questions, though.]

When did you learn all of this?

[allbite]

Now you do know. Please practice. And I learned here.

[ He can ask them… all she's doing is changing out and sorting her files. ]

[labyrinthos]

I know how to practice to get a desired result.

["I learned here," she says, and he's mildly surprised. He wouldn't have guessed that.]

But you're human, aren't you? You taste like one. You went through what I'm going through? How quickly did you acclimate to this mode of living?

[allbite]

Only when you know what to practice. Are you clear on that? Be honest.

I'm not an ordinary human, even if I seem normal than plenty in this city, biologically. My lifestyle was very different than the one I have now. I would prefer if you don't pry into that right now.

I would say it took me about four or five weeks for it all to become a habit.

[labyrinthos]

True knowledge comes from experience, from the process of living, from finding out what works and what doesn't. I'm learning as much as I can as I encounter it. What I'm learning, I'm willing to put into practice. By practicing often, I'll improve myself for you. I don't intend to be a constant source of disappointment.

Four or five weeks? That's a timeframe I can endeavor to match.

[allbite]

Fortunately for you, this place forgives trial and error.

Do as you like—and remember you need to sleep, even if you feel better already.

[labyrinthos]

Do you forgive trial and error?

[allbite]

I'm required to be more patient, here.

[ So what if that's neither a yes or no?? He's the one still eating paper… ]

[labyrinthos]

Hmmm... Does that mean you forgive me? I won't eat the paper again.

[allbite]

I can't get angry enough over something like that to begin with, but it would be a convenience if you avoided 1) decreasing our business's efficiency, 2) used supplies, and 3) spent my free time.

Not paper, not pens, not anything purposed as stationery. Do you understand?

[labyrinthos]

[...]

I've decreased our efficiency? I'm sorry, Frühling.

[How did she figure him out...?! Stealing is wrong, he knows, he knows, but some nervous snacking on some extraneous paperwork just... sort of... happened. Paper has a unique texture and vaguely chemical taste that he finds very palatable. Now that he's powerless and separated from Shinji's stars, his quality of life and coping mechanisms have deteriorated overall.]

Including crayons?

[Please say no, please say no...]

[allbite]

You help keep the club in order. I can't replace you the days you aren't scheduled to be away.

[ … say what now. ]

Crayons, paint, brushes, pencils—you write or draw with these things, not put them in your mouth, much less in your stomach.

[ What on earth do Angels normally eat?! ]

[labyrinthos]

I'll contribute more of my time to make up for the deficit.

[Actually, that's the last thing Kaworu should be doing, since he's still feeling so out of sorts. He's just reeling from what Frühling just said to him. He helps to keep things in order? He's irreplaceable on the spot? As an Eva pilot, he heard similar approval... but that was Eva, where very few Children meet and maintain the requirements. Masamune seems like it'd have an easier time with replacing him.

It almost takes the sting out of being told he can't eat crayons.]

Why does it taste good if it's not meant to be eaten??

[What do Angels normally eat? Well... they don't need to eat to sustain themselves. Tabris, meanwhile, thinks human flesh is irresponsibly satisfying.]

[allbite]

[ It's not that it's difficult… just a hassle, one he wouldn't understand if he's worked a mundane job. Frühling mostly learned here, but it wasn't a strange concept.

Anyway. She feels their age gap distinctly at the moment. ]

Only after you're fully recovered. I will send you home if you're unfit.

And artificial flavours are used to entice buyers. They're not meant for human consumption.

What else have you been eating besides food?

[labyrinthos]

[Why do Lilin insist on deceiving one another in anomalous ways? Why do scented markers smell like fruit if they're not derived from actual fruit? Kaworu doesn't understand...

...]

The City has provided a wealth of new experiences for the both of us.

[allbite]

What are you trying to get at with such a generalization?

[labyrinthos]

[It's called deflection.]

I'm wondering what you've eaten here that you didn't have before. What do you like, Frühling?

[allbite]

[ Rude. Only she's allowed to use that.

It takes her a moment to answer him back honestly, but any resistance (why is this relevant) (what will you do with this information) (don't learn about me) seems pointless in the broader spectrum of things. They've done a bit already. ]

Non-packaged food. Grilled sirloin, rare, with roasted asparagus and wild rice. Pair with a red or rosé.

I was introduced to fine dining, here.

[labyrinthos]

Oh, I'm not familiar with fine dining. [Or restaurants, for that matter. His life experience is limited to the post-apocalyptic.] How is that different? The food is more delicious than usual? I'd like to taste wild rice.

[allbite]

Food is prepared just for you. Fresh ingredients, specialized cooking techniques… it is a pleasant experience.

[ She admits but doesn't wish to personally invite... she's neither escort nor tour guide. ]

[labyrinthos]

[... that's kind of uncomfortable for Kaworu to learn about. He doesn't want anyone to serve him, even if he's paying for the experience. So, left to his own devices, it's likely that he will never decide to try out "fine dining."]

I see. Frühling is someone who likes to be catered to, then.

[Obviously. But it's fun to state the obvious, sometimes.]

[allbite]

No. I prefer to do things myself, but elaborate food is something I'd rather not do the work for.

[ Because what is cooking. Has he not noticed she hardly seems to eat at home or at the club? ]

Besides, my role here is to be more productive in debauchery, not cuisine.

[labyrinthos]

Though it's subtle, 'liking' and 'preferring' don't have the same meaning. You like to be catered to. However, you prefer to do things yourself; it means you're in control. [Is he even talking about food anymore? Good question.] And when you're in control, no one can disappoint you.