worldbent | GOLDEN PEACOCK: INBOX+OVERFLOW

[ The confusion on Broca's face is mild, but the way his ears twist to the side is more of a giveaway that he's trying hard to understand what the hell Matoba is talking about here. Does Matoba assume that Broca's offering sexual favors to any of the people trick-or-treating at his door? It's not like that isn't apparently an option...

Or that Broca has ever been particularly difficult to sleep with...

He's still not entirely sure how to feel about that one. ]

It's not sexual.

[ Making it clear (in his mind, and only his mind) that this is not the type of treat he's giving out.

He instead reaches to the side of him to hold up a solidly made looking step stool. ]

I'm handing out things I've made instead.

[ Matoba doesn't have to take one, but he does want to clear up any misunderstandings here.

That he never thought to tell anyone about his move, or that Matoba might still expect to see him on the basement level has not even begun to occur to Broca. ]

Edited 2025-11-23 04:55 (UTC)

Ah?

[This revelation seems to only deepen the confusion in Matoba's expression; could it be that Broca is simply visiting a friend? ...Could it be that he, too, moved into a room technically belonging to someone else? Taking a page from his book, perhaps...]

[Whatever failure of understanding is taking place here, Broca turning to the side and producing a stepstool does absolutely nothing to further elucidate anything at all, but Matoba reaches out and takes it after another long moment of a blank stare, examining the stool first, turning it in his hands, and then looking back up to Broca.]

You ..made this? [He repeats, half continued confusion and half impressed.] --This is for me??

[ There's a world in which both of these men are far better at communication than either of them are, and they actually discuss things and figure out what is happening in this moment.

This, unfortunately, is not that world, and Matoba will have to remain confused, because Broca doesn't know what assumptions the man is making, nor does he feel the need to clarify the fact that he moved floors. It seems the cat is out of the proverbial bag already as far as he's concerned.

So really all that's left to do is give out the trick or treat gift, which Broca frowns a little the longer Matoba seems baffled by it. It's a pretty simple stool, so he gets that for decorative purposes it's not all that appealing. ]

It's solidly made. I don't do shoddy work.

[ Just to clarify. This thing will have no trouble staying entirely steady whenever Matoba needs to use it. Assuming he needs to use it at all, and if it's unnecessary then... ]

You don't have to take it if you don't want it.

Hmm.

[Turning it over in his arms, Matoba can't find any reason to disagree- indeed, the wood seems to be of good quality, the pieces are well shaped and sanded, and the joinings seem secure.]

[All in all- a good tool. And he does love a good tool.]

[Broca's threat- whether it's actually a threat or a put-upon resignation- gets his attention, though, and he finds that no, he doesn't want to give it back. Ah, but what to use it for? He hardly has much need for it in the small room he lives in, and it would just gather dust in his own, larger room...]

[His eyes draw upward in thought and catch on, as always, Broca's ears. And in that moment, inspiration strikes. He sets the stool down between them in the door's threshold, carefully lifts the hem of his kimono to step up onto it- no wobbles! -and then finds himself just slightly above-level with Broca's ears.]

[And helps himself to reaching out with both hands to stroke them. He looks very pleased with himself.] How useful! No, I believe I will keep it.

[ He hadn't really considered how a man like Matoba might use a gift like this. He's not a particularly small man, so he doesn't have a ton that he needs help reaching, though he is at least shorter than Broca by a notable degree, though given Broca's height that isn't saying much.

Still...

Still.....

He probably should have seen this one coming.

At least he doesn't make any attempt to pull back from the touch, too used to it at this point, and not just from Matoba. It's bizarre how many people here have unusual fascinations with tails and furrier ears just because they don't happen to have their own.

At least the physical sensation of it is nice, even if he lets out the smallest sigh of exasperation while tilting down into the touch. ]

Are you pulling a trick anyway?

[ Feels like he's been tricked a little, having his own gifted treat used against him. ]

Haha, do you think this a trick?

[Tossed back at Broca like he's questioning his logic here- after all, he's the one that enabled him! And to do something so nice for Broca, too! Hmph.]

[He's indulging himself, but he won't impose upon Broca for too long- standing in his doorway and all. After a few moments, he steps back down carefully from the stool, and takes it up in his arms again.]

Thank you for the gift, Broca-san. ...Ah, by the by, you're handing these out? [He curiously tries to peek into Broca's doorway.] Just how many things have you made...?

[ He'll give Matoba a skeptical look at that question, but not a proper reply, unless a quiet grunt in response as Matoba steps down off of his new gift.

And in this particular case, Broca also doesn't raise much of a fuss about the attempt to look into his room. He'll even step to the side a half-shuffle so that Matoba can see the small pile of assorted finished products that Broca's been handing out. It's anything from simple wooden pieces, to metal gadgets that might be useful in a place that didn't provide most of what you needed as long as you were willing to have sex, and even some leather goods like wallets and belts. It's a decent little stash he's got going. ]

I didn't bother to take count. More than I need. I have a friend who is on one of the upper floors, and he lets me use one of his extra rooms as a workshop.

[ If anything, most of Fuuta's abode seems incredibly sparse, so Broca can more than afford to keep making things to fill up space in it if Fuuta lets him, or simply doesn't bother to wander into that particular room to see it's decorated by Broca's handicrafts. ]

[Matoba's eye widens in surprise as he takes in the breadth of items Broca had on offer. Metal tools, leather goods- all of good make- piled up for free taking...]

[And Broca had just given him a stool!! Hmph.]

You made all of these? [He says with open surprise, taking it upon himself to pluck up a handsome wallet. He turns it over in his hands, feeling the workmanship.] Why, Broca-san. I did not know you were so talented in handicrafts.

Although I suppose you are good with your hands. [What if he just... Quietly... took a wallet...]

GOLDEN PEACOCK: INBOX+OVERFLOW

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