(no subject)

[kinslayer]

[It's a traditional (ish) style Japanese tea shop. Not that Itachi's Japanese but all it takes is a little homework and the realization that the manners and customs are incredibly close to those of the Fire Country, add in enough Westernization to appeal to Londoners, and the business is doing well.]

[Of course for those who are in the know the tea shop is a front for a much more interesting business of information dealing and, rumor has it, assassination--or any kind of underground contract you might wish to procure.]

[But on the surface and at least in part it's a fairly popular "Oriental" novelty tea shop. The proprietor is rather young and quiet and strange, but the ladies he hires who do most of the serving and dealing with customers are quite charming. All in all, it's growing in reputation.]

Comments

[al_truism]

Right before the Animus turned everything into a beach. It was really lovely.

[Al beams.]

Do you remember Negi Springfield?

[kinslayer]

[Itachi shakes his head.]

I don't.

[al_truism]

He had just started living with me at the time... but I've been more or less with him for the past two years.

He's a wizard -- kind, smart, still a little innocent, but very strong. He's very good to me.

[kinslayer]

[Ah if he recalls right the little redhead?]

He makes you happy it seems. I'm glad.

[That kind of simple happiness is one Al deserves.]

[al_truism]

He makes me very happy.

[Al beams, thoughtful- and when he speaks it's easy to tell how in love he is. How he's healed. He'd been such a mess after Sasuke left.]

There's an age different between Negi and I. I told him to ask again once he got older. He waited years for me... and then he finally did ask.

[kinslayer]

I'm glad.

[Considering the abusive dynamics Al had been getting himself into when Itachi left... It's a relief to know Al's found something healthy.]

Will you try to get back there?

[al_truism]

If I can, absolutely. Even if they don't need me, I can still help everyone there.

[kinslayer]

[Ah, what a responsible attitude. Itachi's glad to hear it. He really is proud of Al--the more he hears, the more he's sure Al's grown up well.]

And your brother?

[al_truism]

[Al can't even pick it out these days. He just is now.]

There was a point recently where we all suddenly were the age we were supposed to be. Ed's automail started to compress his chest and make it nearly impossible for him to walk. He just had surgery to correct the ports. Less than a week ago.

[Which would account for most of Al's worry right now.]

[kinslayer]

Someone that noisy is unlikely to be laid up from that for long.

[Which is Itachi's way of saying don't worry about Ed. Ed's too tough to let anything keep him down. But of course, he says it his own jerkish way.]

I'm sure he'll be up and bursting eardrums long before any of the healers desire it.

[al_truism]

[Al laughs.]

He was already complaining about the bedpan two days into it all. He was too drugged to stand up by himself, but I already know he'll be all right.