After Toru had dished out the meals he basked in his culinary efforts, paying attention to the reactions to the food and noting them in his mind. His attention was dragged away as he watched Jaakuna stand herself up and take his fingers in her hands. Toru was already well aware of what was about to happen, at this point it was a ritual.
"Tsunayashiro-san, the moon is rather beautiful tonight. I do hope you’ll accept my proposal and become my husband.”
Her words baffled others, but Toru simply stared her in the eyes with his smile plastered across his face. His reply just as baffling as her proposal perhaps.
"Jaakuna... No. It's a shame you have to leave so early though, make sure you pop by again soon. And try to take a break sometimes! No point in working yourself to the bone."
He knew how Jaakuna was, but still it was unfortunate that she would be the first to leave, regardless her presence was appreciated. Once she had taken her leave, his attention returned to the remaining guests. Yugen was the first to take his attention once more as he relayed the information about his ink.
"Thank you Yugen... I'll make sure to pick some up soon enough! I'll mention you, might even get you a discount for you. Hopefully anyway."
At this point, the dinner had been under way and people had begun eating already, but there had been very little chatter of any interest, Toru's mind began wandering on topics to bring up. Perhaps it was time for the questions he had prepared? A hand reached within his Shihakushō rustling around for the scrap of paper, then someone else decided to take charge, Rokka.
"So a bit of a doozy of an ice-breaker but I like interesting topics rather than surface level commonalities."
Toru couldn't help but clap his hands together in excitement, a thought running through his mind "Finally! Something fun perhaps?" Fortunately, Toru was about to be surprised with the question, pleasantly so.
"How does everyone here feel about our new Captain Commander? It's been awhile since we've had a figure head."
Now this was a fun question, and most definitely a wonderful ice-breaker. Toru's eyes scanned over the room, taking in the reactions to the question asked. Rokka's introduction almost flew over his head as he was lost in the joy of this question, but still he caught it.
"Well! That is a wonderful question indeed, my friend! I'll be a little selfish, could everyone hold off answering whilst I go welcome in our new guests? I'll want to hear everyone's response if possible. I'll give you my thoughts after I've served the new guests too of course."
With that said, Toru had left and welcomed in the others.
The arrival of the four new guests signalled the closure of the doors for others would-be guests. The Tsunayashiro's dinner was officially underway and the guests for the most part, seemed to be enjoying it! Toru's attention was primarily directed towards the four new guests, although it seemed as though his sense of hearing chose to skip over the greetings and usual small talk. Instead, he was listening out for the food they desired.
First it was the small Fēng, "I'll have the Fugu, please." A rather bold order, but not one that would make Toru contemplate the choice, or even cautious about preparing it. Perhaps he was even excited for the idea.
Then it was Ishiko, "May I have Gyudon with Matcha tea as my drink." For a moment Toru seemed almost disappointed, a good choice, but far less adventurous than the previous.
Then it was Kaoru, “Oh, now this is good. I’ll take a green tea, flaming hot, and your best assortment of wagashi sweets to go with it..." There was more that was said, but Toru glanced over the formalities and questions, he was simply curious about the choice of meal, or rather the lack of a meal, but he would oblige regardless.
Then there was a clear shift in his expression. The dinner party was closed as per Toru's orders, yet another figure had stepped into the room, and not via Toru's welcome.
"Lord Tsunayashiro. My apologies for the interruption. I come under direct orders from Yūgure Shihōin. Captain of Squad Nine. I have been instructed to retrieve Hideo Shihōin from this gathering... I understand this is a private affair,” they continued. “And I apologize for the intrusion. We shall be out of your hair as soon as possible.
Toru stood before the messenger now, staring down at them. By all accounts Toru is usually an unusual figure in stature and personality, and up until this point, he slipped beneath the extrasensory perception of everyone, but now he could be felt and clearly. The room momentarily filled with a sickening sensation, something that could incite the most visceral of gags and nausea, a truly disgusting presence. His attention then shifted towards Hideo.
"Hey. Make sure you let everyone at that meeting know this; I welcome people into this room and their messenger was not welcomed. I don't give a damn who sent the messenger or why, unless it's the Reiō himself, no one will be forgiven for intruding on my dinner party."
As soon as he finished speaking, his presence diminished, and then disappeared back into the void, his attention diverted back towards the guests who were staying. His expression conveyed his distaste quite clearly, but he had meals to dish out for others. With the desires of the newcomers in mind, once more he stepped out of view and into the kitchen. Only a couple of minutes later, Toru was back in the dining area, the requests in tow and his sullen expression replaced with his usual smirk. The same unusual footwork of his guided him to each of the newcomers, one by one, in the order they had placed their requests. Suzume was first.
His head craned over the small Fēng as both arms reached around placed the individual pieces before her. "Fugusashi, with the usual ponzu sauce, you didn't specify any other way so here's the most common one!" Alongside the beautifully displayed Fugusashi sat a cup of hot sake, although within it there was a little curiosity and next to that, what looked like a few thin slices of a grainy cake. "Honestly, that's three of you now who have asked for somethin' I can't really mess with all that much, but here you are! Tha's Fin Sake, it should have a pretty smoky, rich and savoury umami to it! The next article isn't a cake, even if it looks like it. It'll sound a little nasty, and risky, but! Pickled Fugu ovaries. A bit salty but it's got a pretty unique taste to it! Also, thank you for the gift, I'm unsure what I'll do with your special little vials, but I'll figure it out." Away he slid, onto the next, Ishiko Mori.
With his chin almost resting atop her shoulder, a single lanky arm snaked its way around the opposite side, almost as if to go for a hug, then the tapping of two bowls and a cup could be heard on the table before her, "As requested, the Gyudon and your Matcha tea of course! Aside from that, there's somethin' fairly similar but with a little twist." Alongside the usual Gyudon, was a bowl that seemed to hide something beneath a cover of golden crust. "That's rice with a nice golden fried crust on top to a little crunch to it, beneath that sits your usual Gyudon beef, simple but a wonderful combination, I think." As he slipped away to the final guest, a soft whiff of a delicately cheesy scent reached his nose from that rice topped bowl, a surprise he hadn't mentioned.
Finally Kaoru was up. "You, you didn't choose a meal! But such is fate, you'll get your sweets and a little more." He spoke to Kaoru with his face almost in front of theirs as their piping hot green tea was placed before them and two long platters, each adorned with an assortment of what seemed more like art pieces than food. "The first platter is the usual, what you asked for. The second is more of a quick fix to an answer I didn't have yet! I didn't wanna mess with 'em too much so, the flavours will be pretty light. The first, yokan base with a drizzle of freshly squeeze grapefruit juice and a little sugar. The second, nerikiri base, ever so slightly glazed with some toasted sesame oil. The third, simple, but, gyuhi base with a very light milk chocolate and almond whipped cream dollop atop it." With that, he had served everyone and he slipped away, gathering up the remaining menus delicately and returning them to the kitchen in much the same manner as before.
With such a bountiful gathering of individuals and the fruits of his labour set out before them, now more than ever, it was clear how overjoyed Toru was with the progression of the dinner. Each soul before him bore their own unique qualities and quirks, and at the top of the room the ecstatic social freak could be seen examining everyone eagerly. His smile now was almost literally stretching from ear to ear. Now it was time to answer Rokka.
"Now, before we were so rudely interrupted by the entitled Shihōin, dear Rokka here asked an oh so interesting question! How does everyone feel about the new Captain Commander?"
Toru briefly paused, glancing over the guests once more, then before anyone else could slip in to answer, he eagerly put his thoughts out into the world for all to hear.
"Personally, I think his intentions are quite good. That being said, I think he's hasn't shown the ability to act on those intentions. He wants to make sure we're all prepared for a war at any time. He wants to strengthen the 13 Court Guards."
Again his voice pauses, letting people digest what he's said, after few moments had passed, a hand reaches up and adjusts his glasses, his expression fading from a smile to an intense glare of judgement. It was not directed at anyone in the room, but the subjects of his judgement would be made clear.
"If those are his intentions, why is it that my dear Lieutenant, who was presumed dead kept his title and no one replaced him? Why is it that he allows the returned Lieutenant to remain within Hueco Mundo without any worthwhile results? Sure, the Lieutenant has set up many layered back up plans, but who will keep the division level headed in times of need? There are no other seated members. There is no strength in a division where the blind guide the blind."
A long sigh ends his complaints and his glare fades into a familiar wide and toothy smile.
"But of course, I can't speak for all divisions, perhaps his plan is going wonderfully elsewhere. Please share your thoughts!"
Toru→Yuto→Seimei→Hyoroshi→Yugen→Rokka→Suzume→Ishiko→Kaoru
